Movie: Andala Rakshasi
Banner: Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram

Cast:  Lavanya Tripathi, Rahul Ravindran, Naveen Chandra, and others
Music: Rathan
Cinematography: Murali G.
Editing: Chandrasekhar G. V.
Producer: Sai Korrapati, S. S. Rajamouli
Story, Screenplay, Direction: Hanu Raghavapudi
 
Reviewed By:  Jeeva

Attraction: From the catchy trailer to the attractive promos one was looking forward to catch up with this film. The best thing about "Andala Rakshasi" is the camera work beautifully done by Murali G. The background score and some songs do add some richness to the film. The director definitely seems to have a good understanding regarding technical aspects of film-making. The small subplot between blind lovers is fantastically portrayed by the director.

Distraction: Alas, one main aspect is missing from the film. Yes, it is called "unadulterated script". The director should start thinking on his own and create his own script. Instead, what has happened? He seems to be completely influenced by many of Mani Ratnam's yesteryear blockbusters. From "Geetanjali" he has picked a few pages of shouting between lead characters. Even, choosing a very beautiful location like Munnar like the way Ooty was shown is also another inspiration. If he would have left with some inspired scenes, it would have been a relief. Instead he starts to drag the entire first half with such scenes. One other important scene in point is the hospital scenes similar to the ones in "Sakhi" as well as "Geetanjali". After a particular period the audience get restless in the theatre. Even some went further to sarcastically shout like the lead pair. Watching the gimmicks by some of the audience became more entertaining than watching the film.

Plot: Teenage audience might find the love triangle between a about to be married girl, her would-be, and her love interest of the past pretty interesting. But, people who would have watched the film "Mouna Ragam" would vouch that the script was highly inspired from the same. Although, Mouna Ragam handled the love triangle in a very mature, sensitive, and in a believable way, the director brought in unnecessary scenes and spoilt the same here. Showcasing bike light through a window and artistic items do not mean that they are of any artistic merit. The director seems to be unable to understand how to add soul when using art and set design.

Performances: We got another promising new comer in the form of Lavanya. She is one of the saving graces of the film. Although she is not a power house performer like Revathy. In dire times like these, when we hardly find good heroines of substance around, it would be a relief to have her around. Hope that in the future, she gets to play leading roles, rather than sidekicks for some top heroes like the rest. One of the foremost irritating heroes of recent times would be definitely Rahul as Gowtham. It was utterly nerve-wrecking to see him perform. Yes, he ACTED rather than performed his role. Either the director or someone would have mislead him. Because, all the time rolling ones' big pair of eyes, smoking cigarettes, smiling slyly and shouting to the top of one's voice doesn't mean good performance. Whenever he appeared on screen, it looked as if he is acting in a school drama or stage play. Grow up Rahul. The other actor Naveen as Surya does have a quirky screen presence. But, it is difficult for a person with such personality to carry forward as a leading hero. He looks more like a character artist rather than one of the leading character of the film. Who said that artists should have beard and act weird like a psycho?

Why? Why did she fall in love in the first place? It is very confusing to admit how such a thinking and vivacious girl would fall in love with not one but two losers. Adding to it, to our utter disbelief he introduced new twists and turns in the form of Gowtham's father. He played the role so wooden that one feels even an woodpecker can act better. The scenes in the last few minutes of the film were filled with utter chaos with no purpose or direction. Rather, it created some unwanted suspense and nothing thrilling about it.

Ending: Ah, would you still like to know how the film ended! Hmm, it is better we do not talk about it. If you do want to know the ending here it is upfront folks. Watching all the stuff around, no wonder the director has decided that it is of no use for the heroine to join with either one of the heroes in the ending. Kudos!

Bottom Line: Watch it at your own risk. Rather, if you do not have anything better to do, either watch the films of Maniratnam, who seems to have inspired this director so much. Else, get some sleep.

Verdict: 1.5 stars out of 5. For the beautiful camera work, decent music and Lavanya.