What’s it about?
Raj (Sashi) doesn’t take up any job even after completing studies and is seen boozing with his friends always. His brother and his mother worry about him, knowing well why he has turned into such a wreck. Raj meets Sashi (Surabhi) but she doesn’t recognize him. Who is Sashi, and why is he after her? That is saved for the second half.
Analysis
The influence and impact of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Arjun Reddy’ iconic love story can be seen in our pop culture. The thinking of our stars and the filmmakers have changed drastically lately. The beard fixation for the male lead is the result of this movie. The kiss scenes have become normal in Telugu films after ‘Arjun Reddy’. The latest release, ‘Sashi’, tries to imitate Arjun Reddy, at least in the first half of the movie but fails miserably. Even in copying, this turns out to worn-out Xerox copy.
Forget about the similarities, excuse all the build-up in the first half that is an exercise to reveal the main story post interval. But when it comes to the core plot in the second half as well, it looks even ludicrous. There is a twist in the second-half, before coming to this point, we get to see college-ragging scenes, Vennela Kishore – Viva Harsha’s stale comedy, and romance sequence like truth-or-dare games, etc. Such lame and predictable situations keep coming in and by the time the twist comes you get exhausted.
Coming to performances, both Aadi Saikumar and Surabhi have done their best. Other actors have done what is required. The film got pre-release buzz thanks to the song ‘Oke Oka Lokam’ sung by Sid Siram, which has gone viral. The song is beautiful and is also well-shot. Among the technicians, Arun Chiluveru’s work stands out.
Senior actor JP is played the role of Dora, and all of them including his son call him Dora. By end of the movie, you also utter, “maakendeki ee racha Dora. Makinta memory loss ivvu”.
Bottom-line: ‘Sashi’ film has a hackneyed script and ludicrous narration. Watching it till the end is the true test of patience. The viral song, ‘Okey Oka Lokam’, doesn’t save it from turning into a bore.
Rating: 1.5/5
Film: Sashi
Cast: Aadi Saikumar, Surabhi, Ajay, Rashi Singh, and others
Music: Arun Chiluveru
Director of Photography: Amarnath Bommireddy
Editor: Satya G
Producers: RP Varma, Anjaneyulu, C Srinivas
Written and directed by Srinivas Naidu Nadikatla
Release Date: March 19, 2021
