'Bedurulanka 2012' hit the screens this Friday. Based on the Mayan mythology that the world would come to an end on December 21, 2012, the film borrows its premise from that and its style of commentary from native literature. In this interview, we are going to tell you what to expect from the dramedy.
Plot:
Sometime in 2012, the people of an island in Andhra Pradesh were made to believe that the world will surely end on December 21. Bhushanam (Ajay Ghosh) fields two religious preachers, Brahmam and Daniel, to fool the people into believing that only the duo can prevent the apocalypse. When Shiva (Kartikeya), who returned to the village after resigning as a Graphic Designer in Hyderabad, fails to buy into the fraudulent manipulation, he is threatened with dire consequences. Meanwhile, his girlfriend (Neha Shetty as Chitra) is on the verge of being married off to Bhushanam's clownish son by her father (Goparaju Ramana as the village president).
Performances:
Kartikeya Gummakonda hasn't had a hit since 'RX 100'. The film under review didn't expect him to take the whole burden upon himself. In a lot of scenes, he lets the story and other important characters do the talking. There are stretches where Ajay Ghosh gets far more number of lines than the male protagonist. Kartikeya must be commended for doing a role that demanded him to be carefree yet responsible in his body language.
Neha Shetty, who shot to fame with 'DJ Tillu' last year, is nice. The film otherwise belongs to Ajay Ghosh, Srikanth Ayyengar (as Brahmam) and 'Jabardasth' Ram Prasad (as Daniel). Satya and Vennela Kishore (as a fake news presenter) draw laughs in a number of ways. Goparaju Ramana is average, while LB Sriram plays an elderly role. Get-up Srinu is seen as a news presenter.
Technical Departments:
'Bedurulanka 2012' was touted to mark the return of Mani Sharma with a vengeance after setbacks like 'Acharya'. His actual comeback will always remain 'iSmart Shankar'. In the film under review, he delivers decent music ('Dongode Doragadu' and 'Solluda Siva' are good, while 'Vennello Aadapilla' works as a standalone song). The BGM would have been elevated had the sound design been great.
Sai Prakash Ummadisingu and Sunny Kurapati have done the cinematography. In the scenes where crowds are seen, the film could have had better cinematography. Somehow, the quality of the visuals is not up to the mark. Sudheer Macharla's production design is pretty generic. Viplav Nyshadam has edited the movie.
Merits:
The concept of Yugantham.
The comedy scenes involving the primary comedians, including Vennela Kishore.
The last 30 minutes.
The writing doesn't stretch any idea for the sake of it.
Demerits:
The absence of urgency and wit in the proceedings.
Sometimes, director Clax fails to make the movie appear whacky enough. The intended quirkiness doesn't come through.
The first 15-20 minutes of the second half. The screenplay slackens here.
The hero's characterization could have been better.
Vox Verdict:
'Bedurulanka 2012' is a watchable drama-comedy with the last 30 minutes being a major highlight. Barring a few boring stretches, the film manages to hold the audience's interest.
Rating: 2.5/5
