'Saripodhaa Sanivaaram' is Natural Star Nani's biggest film in terms of commercial stakes. The film needs to earn a share of Rs 46 crore for it to be deemed a breakeven film. Released today in theatres, it is produced by DVV Danayya. Let's find out what the film is about.
Story:
Surya (Nani), your average insurance guy, lives a pretty chill life... except for Saturdays. That’s his vent day, where he lets all his frustrations out. He is also a bit of a vigilante, always sticking up for the little guy and taking on the baddies. Across town, there is Charulatha (Priyanka Mohan), a new constable on the beat. She has got a tough boss, CI Dayanand (SJ Suryah), who is as cold as ice. Dayanand is a maniac, consumed with impotent rage because his elder brother (Murali Sharma) has overtaken him in every respect. Surya and Dayanand are destined for a fight.
Performances &Technical Departments:
Nani and SJ Suryah outcompete each other as they let their characters come to life. We have seen enough of Nani's acting chops. A lot of what you see in the film under review has already been seen of him in films like 'Gang Leader' and 'Shyam Singha Roy'. It is SJ Suryah who is a total surprise.
Sai Kumar and Murali Sharma are not routine, respectively, in positive and negative roles. As Surya's father, the former is the quintessential Telugu cinema father. Aditi Balan and Harshavardhan, respectively, are seen as the hero's sister and the villain's subordinate.
Jakes Bejoy's background score is refreshing, elevating even some mediocre action moments. The cinematography by Murali G is not expendable.
Merits:
1. Sj Suryah's characterization and dialogues. He is whimsical and fearsome.
2. The rivalry between the brothers (Dayanand and his elder sibling) is sketched unusually. Their equations are not static.
3. The film turns into a cat-and-mouse chase at one point. A semblance of novelty is evident in the portions involving the trio of Surya, Dayanand, and the latter's brother.
4. The hide-and-seek screenplay has been fleshed out well.
5. The scenes involving SJ Suryah and Murali Sharma are better than the scenes between the hero and his girlfriend.
Demerits:
1. The slum is damned and accursed. But everything about its portrayal feels pretty routine.
2. The climax feels ordinary.
3. One feels Priyanka Mohan's character and her evolving relationship with the male lead could have been handled better.
Vox Verdict:
'Saripodhaa Sanivaaram' is poised to take off at the box office. How far Nani will solidify his action-hero image after this movie is moot. By far, this is the best deal he could have asked for. Watch it!
Rating: 2.75
