Ek Niranjan - Movie Review

Expectations ran high for Ek Niranjan, director Puri Jagannath's first release of 2009 and the most expensive movie made in Telugu. First, it marks the Tollywood debut of Bollywood actress Kangna Ranaut, widely known for her spectacular looks, who was paid a whopping one crore for Ek Niranjan. Second, after the success of Bujjigadu, which gave a much-awaited break to Prabhas in 2008, this is the second time Prabhas teams up with Puri Jagannath. Third, Prabhas performing dangerous stunts for this Aditya Ram production venture (without using a body double) was very much in the news, evoking a lot of hype for the film. Unfortunately, the film fails to live up to these expectations. The movie delivers good entertainment in the first half, but the flow slows and meanders with hilarious adventures, violence and not-so-impressive climax.

The film revolves around Chotu (Prabhas), who works as a police informer. Eager to trace his parents, he keeps pampering Chidambaram to reveal their whereabouts, as Chidambaram had kidnapped Chotu when he was a child. Romance blooms when Chotu falls in love with a guitar music teacher Sameera (Kangna Raunat). Her brother works for a mafia headed by Johnny Bhai (Sonu Sood), whom Chotu is entrusted to deliver to the cops. The rest of the plot is about what happens when Johnny encounters Chotu who has multiple responsibilities.

Prabhas is effortless as Chotu, beating up people and romancing Sameera in Switzerland. His characterization in this movie can be said to be an extension of his character in Bujjigadu. Kangna Raunat, who looked fabulous in Gangster and Fashion, seems to be out of place in Ek Niranjan as the script gives her no opportunity to display her acting skills. Sonu Sood's sequences with Brahmaji are the major highlights of the film. He seems to be filling the gap of Raghuvaran in a large way with his body language and voice. Comedy by Ali, Brahmanandam and Abhinayasri in separate tracks is without punch, leading to boredom. All others - Taniekella Bharani, Sangeetha, Mukul Dev, Makrand, Posani and others - have done justice to their respective roles.

The major drawbacks? The weak presentation and narration, lacking seriousness. Puri's story of a lost-and-found son is as old as the hills, even if it has been shown with plenty of songs and stylish action here! The dialogues are somewhat good. The screenplay is not impressive; there are many illogical scenes and loose ends. Technically, Puri Jagannath ensures that the film is fine. Shyam K. Naidu's camerawork is good. Mani Sharma has scored excellent music, particularly for the title song 'Amma ledhu naana ledhu'. Stun Siva's fights are stylish in some parts. On the whole, Ek Niranjan entertains to some extent