'Average Student Nani', produced by Pawan Kumar Kothuri and Bishali Goel, hit the screens this Friday (August 2nd). Written and directed by the producer himself, the film stars him as the male lead.
Plot:
Nani (Pawan Kumar), a dullard at studies, is a source of constant pain for his parents (played by Rajeev Kanakala and Jhansi). His sister is brilliant and is a meritorious student blessed with a scholarship.
The family woes are worsened by the fact that the patriarch has been mired in debts with the failure of his automobile business. Once Nani joins an Engineering college, he woos a rich girl named Sarayu Naidu (Sneha Malviya), who comes with her own dad issues.
Meanwhile, Anu (Sahiba Bhasin), his junior, also gets attracted to him. Where will this triangle (?) take him?
Performances & Technical Departments:
The film is not exactly driven by chemistry. It is more of a cool film in the zone of an entertainer for the most part. Pawan Kumar is a natural. Sahiba Bhasin and Sneha Malviya get meaty roles in turns.
The cinematography by Sajeesh Rajendran is average. Karthik B Kodakandla's songs are a mixed treat. 'Emaindho Manase' is a decent love song, while 'Raale Puvve' was dished out for entertainment. 'Saara Saara' comes with a touch of sensuality. The film is edited by Uddhav SB.
Analysis:
The film is narrated in a typical entertaining fashion. Nani and Pappu are childhood friends is how it takes off. They indulged in porn-viewing with abandon. Despite his vacuous exterior, Nani is practical-minded when it comes to women. He can become volatile when someone hurts his ego. He is aware of the world going past him. He aspires to grow in life despite his lack of abilities.
Sarayu Naidu is the quintessential college beauty. Nani knows that she is way out of his league in every way. She is taller than him and a million times richer than him.
The film deals with the father-son friction pretty well. The audience can feel the pressure of expectations on Nani. When he says that not everyone can become a Sundar Pichai, we tend to ask, "Who asked him to? All that his father wants is a decent academic record from him."
Nani's family could have become dysfunctional but for the sacrifices made by the good dad. He went nearly bankrupt; he derives succor from the fact that his daughter is academically advanced. Jhansi portrays the stock character of a sympathetic mother.
The college campus scenes are informed by ragging and buddy comedy. After a terrible day of undergoing humiliation, Nani gets back to his business. Such kind of a persona sees him in good stead once he is put in a demanding environment in the college. He comes across as insincere when he hurls a 'Crush letter' at the college beauty. But the way he handles her after she reciprocates, he is not the dud we thought he was. He spurns 'Nibba-Nibbi' antics.
The film also benefits from an unexpected sister sentiment angle. How he handles separation and other pangs makes him a student with distinction marks.
Conveniently, the other side is cheap and violent. This cliche should have been avoided. Whenever Nani has to be elevated, creeps and eve-teasers are introduced by the plot.
Vox Verdict:
'Average Student Nani' is a relatable coming-of-age story that effectively explores the pressures of youth, friendship, and family.
Rating: 2.5
