Story:
Shankar (Sai Raam Shankar) is a new migrant to Hyderabad from Karimnagar. No prizes for guessing that he is in the city in search of a well-paying job even though his academic credentials are dubious. While his intent is known, his ways are unpredictable. Like all lazy guys with compromised ethics, he falls back on the fake certificates route as a short-cut to land a suitable job.
Meanwhile, his love affair with Shruti (Yasha Shiva Kumar) at a job consultancy takes off to a flying start. But the real hardship begins with the entry of two business rivals who are also siblings. Banu Prasad (Sunil) has a negative role in the part. CEO Satya Harishandra Prasad (Devraj Pothuru) might spell trouble as well.
Performances:
Sai Raam Shankar, for the unversed, is Puri Jagannadh's younger brother. No, his journey as an actor is not a recent one. It all began with '143' in 2004. In recent years, he has taken to experimentation with films like 'Nenorakam' and 'Oka Pathakam Prakaram'. In 'Vey Dharuvey', he plays to his strengths. His onscreen attitude is traceable to the kind of hero characterizations mastered by Puri in the 2000s. Sai Raam Shankar himself dabbled in the zone with his early films like 'Bumper Offer' and 'Yamaho Yama'.
Yasha Shiva Kumar looks good but her character is average. Sunil delivers a confident act. With better padding for Devraj Pothuru, his performance would have got better elevation.
This is also one of those few films which features the last set of movies done by a host of talented comedians: Prudhviraj, Satyam Rajesh, Posani Krishna Murali, and Prabhas Seenu, to name the most important of them, are cast in different roles. Chammak Chandra draws a few laughs. Posani Krishna Murali, the sunset artist, is seen as a judge. Kasi Viswanath has been cast in the role of an emotional father.
Analysis:
While it is easy to confuse 'Vey Dharuvey' for a comedy entertainer, it is not. The hero has an out-and-out action role in the second half, where the backstory is introduced in detail. He indulges in violent fights, knife stabbings, angry threats and rants with a 'Fikar math karo' attitude. A lot hinges on what the male protagonist does in reaction to the machinations of the baddies.
Somewhere, the film also delivers a message while not being preachy. However, if you look for logic and cogent narration, the screenplay might put you off.
What keeps the proceedings interesting in fits and starts is the nature of the conflict. The hero's get-up itself is all about attracting the mass audience.
It is not like there is no melodrama. There are doses of it, but the tone of the film is essentially youthful and action-driven.
Vox Verdict:
'Vey Dharuvey' makes for a decent watch despite its inconsistencies.
Rating: 2.75/5
