Cast: Ram Charam Tej, Tamanna, Ajmal, Mukesh Rushi, Dev Gill, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Nassar, Parthiban, Venu Madhav, Ravi Babu, Srinivasa Reddy, Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao, Jaya Prakash Reddy, Thagubothu Ramesh, Ali, Brahmanandam, Dharmavarapu, LB Sriram, Krishna Bhagawan, Fish Venkat, Geetha, Sudha, Geetu Singh, Satya Krishnan, Jhansi, Hema, Pragati, etc
Music: Mani Sharma
Cinematography: Sameer Reddy Dialogues: Paruchuri Brothers Art: Anand Sai Editing: Gowtam Raju Story - screenplay - direction: Sampath Nandi Producers: NV Prasad & Paras Jain Release date: 5 April 2012
Rating 3.5/5
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Raj (Ram Charan Tej) is called as betting Raj because of his obsession for betting. James (Ajmal) is his betting enemy. Raj wants 10 lacs for the surgery of his adopted father. James is ready to offer 10 lacs as betting amount if Raj woos and wins over Chaitra (Tamanna). Chaitra is the daughter of a billionaire Bellary (Mukesh Rishi) The rest of the story is all about how Raj makes Chaitra fall for him and the troubles that follow.
Ram Charan Tej: Ram Charan has proved himself as a terrific man for the masses with his first two films. He has chosen a safe and time-tested mass script this time. He is excellent with dialogues, dances, fights and mannerisms. You can find a lot of references to Gharana Mogudu in his mannerisms.
Others: Tamanna has a weighty role in this movie and does justice. She has danced with amazing fluidity. Ajmal (Rangam fame) plays an important role and he is good. Mukesh Rushi is routine. Brahmanandam’s comedy is partly okay. Ali’s cameo is nice. Parthiban is very good as the father of hero. MS Narayana is a miscast for the role of hero’s adopted father. The sympathy factor will not work out if you cast a comedian for role of a patient with critical illness. Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao did an important role.
Story - screenplay - direction: Story of the film is in an old-format. There are a couple of interesting screenplay twists in the second half. Director Sampath Nandi chose this film to be a tribute to Chiranjeevi’s early 90’s films (Gharana Mogudu, Gang Leader etc). If you look at hero’s entrance scene, he gives away winning money to friend sister’s studies. In Gharana Mogudu, hero gives away winning money to hero friend sister’s marriage (chelli nikka pakka). When the purpose is to make a film as a tribute 90’s films, you can’t expect the direction to be fresh and new. Sampath made sure that there are fun elements in the first half and surprise elements in the second half.
Other departments: Dialogues written by Paruchuri brothers are powerful as well as funny at times. They came out of their trade mark lengthy dialogue pattern and penned short/smart dialogues. There is a controversial dialogue - “Edo choosukuni thodalu kotte type kaadura nenu”. Cinematography by Sameer Reddy is mostly good. Cinematography for a few scenes in the first half is inconsistent. Music scored by Mani Sharma is good - Dilak Dilak and Vaana Vaana being the best in terms of visuals. Editing should have been crisp. Fights are well composed. Production values are grand.
Analysis: First half has a bit of fun. Second half has story and twists. Plus points of the film are Ram Charan Tej and dialogues. On the flip side, freshness in story and better handling of the film would have made this film connect with the contemporary audiences. Racha film is made for fans and masses. This is the first big star film of summer 2012 and it has garnered terrific openings. The success of the film will depend on how masses embrace it.
