Many Telugu film buffs found the Nandamuri Balakrishna and Anil Ravipudi combination difficult to comprehend when Bhagavanth Kesari was announced. Anil’s Sarileru Neekevvaru, though a box office success, was neither a Mahesh Babu film nor an Anil Ravipudi film. So, a similar experimentation with Balakrishna was tough to comprehend for many. Then, the most happening young actor Sreeleela was cast as Balakrishna’s daughter, piquing the interest of fans.
Bhagavanth Kesari is the story of a jailed convict played by Balakrishna, and his friendship with the jailor, CI Srikanth (Sharath Kumar). After Kesari helps jail authorities to control an outbreak of violence, the convict and jailor become friends. The jailor takes Kesari to visit his mother, who is on the death bed, waiting to see her son one last time. Due to his neglect of rules, the jailor is suspended briefly from his post.
Kesari is released from jail on Independence Day. Before going away for good, he decides to spend some time with the jailor and his daughter Vijji, who has grown very attached to him. While the jailor is going to rejoin his duty at a different place, he dies in an accident, leaving the responsibility of the child to Kesari.
As Vijji (Sreeleela) grows into a young woman, Kesari is beside her, pushing her to become a daring woman full of confidence. He is pushing her to choose a career in the Army as it was her father’s last wish. But Vijji has different plans in life, and these plans clash with Kesari’s wishes for her. This also leads them to a confrontation with Rahul Sanghvi (Arjun Rampal), one of the biggest businessmen in India with vast interests in shipping and ports.
It turns out that Kesari and Sanghvi also have a history. What is this history between them? Why was Kesari in jail? What happens to Vijji’s wishes forms the rest of the story.
Bhagavanth Kesari tries hard not to be a regular Nandamuri Balakrishna movie, while having all the signature moments die-hard fans will expect from him. The film takes time to pick up the pace, which happens after the star appears in a fight in the jail. The usual heavy dialoguebaazi of Balakrishna is offset by a few funny sequences. Balayya’s Telangana dialect definitely sounds forced, but it is not too difficult to bear as the story progresses.
Sreeleela and Balakrishna share good chemistry. Sreeleela’s Vijji gets more screen time only in the second half, and she holds herself well beside Balayya.
The use of the song during the bus fight in the second half, the twisting of Sanghvi’s dialogue using Racha Ravi and a few other moments are so uncharacteristic of a Nandamuri Balakrishna movie. Also, the focus on Vijji’s transformation in the second half is hard to believe in a commercial Telugu movie. Writer-director Anil Ravipudi’s effort to present a different Balakrishna movie is commendable.
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Kajal Aggarwal plays Balakrishna’s romantic interest with hardly a moment of romance there. Arjun Rampal impresses with his own dubbing. A few Tamil actors add some colour to the supporting cast. Thaman’s background score is restrained and effective. Compared to Skanda, he did a great job here.
Bhagavanth Kesari has its dull moments, but it also has its entertaining moments. All in all, the movie is a decent entertainer this Dasara.
Bhagavanth Kesari movie cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Sreeleela, Kajal Aggarwal, Arjun Rampal, Sharath KumarBhagavanth Kesari movie director: Anil RavipudiBhagavanth Kesari movie rating: 2.5 stars
