'Mr. Bachchan', produced by TG Vishwa Prasad of People Media Factory, is out in theatres. Written and directed by Harish Shankar, the film is an adaptation of the Hindi movie 'Raid' (2018).
Plot:
Bachchan (Ravi Teja), otherwise a fun-loving guy, is a different beast when he is at the job. As an IT officer, he is tasked with taking on Muthyam Jaggaiah (Jagapathi Babu), a powerful politician who will stop at nothing to save his empire from crumbling. As Bachchan brandishes his powers with his team, Jaggaiah sees his wealth being snatched away from him.
Performances:
Ravi Teja's approach to his characters has been routine. There is no difference in how he approaches the character of a legendary thief ('Tiger Nageswara Rao') and how he performs as an IT officer. The only difference, if any, is in the get-ups.
Newcomer Bhagyashri Borse exudes a strong on-screen presence. She is undeniably attractive in the songs, but not so in the scenes. It is a failure of the director. Jagapathi Babu is decent although the warped characterization could make him seem like he is hamming. The comedic track featuring Satya feels overly familiar and repetitive. More than him, it is Chammak Chandra (as a clown who aspires to be the next matinee idol) is funny. The character artists, including Sachin Khedekar, Tanikella Bharani and Gautami, are routine.
Technical Departments:
Mickey J Meyer's music is a highlight, with the song 'Reppal Dappul' being a chartbuster laced with oomph. His music is the unsung Big B of 'Mr. Bachchan'.
Ayananka Bose's cinematography is commendable. Brahma Kadali's production design is crucial to the film's atmospherics. The action choreography by the Ram-Laxman duo and Pruthvi is lifeless.
Merits:
1. The entertainment quotient in the first half is passable. Although the brand of humour and romance is pretty dated, somehow, things don't test your patience.
2. Bhagyashri Borse is a great find.
3. The surprise cameo of Siddhu Jonnalagadda.
Demerits:
1. The second half becomes too formulaic and monotonous.
2. The baddies are all generic and dumb to different degrees. The formulaic build-up to the action blocks makes them look all the more headless.
3. The male lead's dynamics with the chief antagonist are static and clichéd. If the former is content with punchlines, the latter makes do with either warning or showing impotent rage.
4. Ravi Teja's itch for punchlines and moral declarations is not exciting.
5. The scenes involving the heroine in the second half are ceaselessly boring.
6. The character played by Satya overstays his welcome.
Vox Verdict:
'Mr. Bachchan' is a misfire. The remake of 'Raid' (Hindi) is thoroughly Harish Shankar-fied beyond recognition.
