Rating – 2.75/5
Film: Gundello Godari
Starring: Lakshmi Manchu,Aadhi, Tapasee,Sundeep Kishan
Director: Kumar Nagendra
Producer: Lakshmi Manchu
Banner: Manchu Entertainments
Music: Illayaraja
Story
Story is set in a remote village in Rajahmundry in the year 1986. Malli (Aadi) and Chitra (Lakshmi Manchu) are newly married couple yet have few differences. A flood hits the village badly and the couple stuck in the flood loses hope on their survival and so decides to reveal their past to each other, also trying to save each other. While Malli reveals about his past love Sarala (Tapsee), Chitra tells about her admiration for Suri Babu (Sundeep Kishan) and her dark past. How does the duo react after knowing about each other and Will Malli and Chitra survive the flood forms the rest of the story.
Performances
Aadi is quite good as fisherman and he delivers his best. Sundeep Kishan is natural at his acting and is impressive in his role.
Tapsee looked beautiful as village belle and her role as a seductress is a bit bold but was well portrayed. Lakshmi Manchu does a commendable job. Ravi Babu fits the bill aptly, Murali Mohan is ok while Suja sizzles in item number. Rest of the cast is adequate.
Technical Analysis
Ilayaraja’s music is one of the assets of the film and the background score elevates the happenings. Dialogues work well with the mass movie lovers. Cinematography by Palani Kumar is first-class and all the flood scenes are brilliantly captured. Kumar Nagendra direction is good while the screenplay is predictable in the latter half. VFx works are impressive. Editing could have been better. Production values by Manchu Entertainments banner are good.
Analysis
Director Kumar Nagendra needs appreciation for his commendable efforts trying out a distinct rural backdrop film which isn’t routine. The first half of the film is good with cinematography, music and taking standing out. Aadhi and Tapsee’s story keeps entertaining you while the interval bang is okay though the film moves at slow pace.
However, the second half misses the needed magic with the lack of emotional depth in the content and the pace drops. The flood scenes are superbly captured and starting scenes amazes you with good visuals and background score. But the pace of the movie drops and after the first hour Sundeep Kishan, Lakshmi Manchu story begins which could have been scripted well as it becomes extremely predictable despite some good performances. There is more melodrama in the second half but the scenes lack depth and are unconvincing with few loopholes. Cinematography, music and the first half are positives of Gundello Godari while the second half fails to fulfill the excitement factor after a very good first half.
Final Verdict
Laudable attempt by debutant director Kumar Nagendra. Watch Gundello Godari without much expectations
Recent Random Post:
Pratyusha Case: Supreme Court Upholds Abetment Conviction, Rules Out Murder
The death of Pratyusha remains one of the most controversial and widely discussed cases in Telugu cinema history. After 23 years of legal proceedings, the Supreme Court of India has finally delivered its verdict, bringing closure to a case that has sparked debate for over two decades.
Based on the evidence placed on record, the apex court ruled out allegations of rape and murder. However, it upheld the conviction of her boyfriend, Gudipalli Siddhartha Reddy, for abetment of suicide and sentenced him to two years of imprisonment.
The case dates back to February 23, 2002, when Pratyusha and Siddhartha Reddy were admitted to Care Hospital in Hyderabad after allegedly consuming pesticide mixed with a soft drink. The initial version suggested that the couple attempted suicide because their relationship was opposed by their families due to caste differences. Pratyusha passed away on February 24, 2002, at the age of 20, while Siddhartha Reddy survived.
While the police registered the case as suicide, Pratyusha’s mother, Sarojini Devi, consistently alleged that her daughter had been raped and murdered. She claimed that influential individuals were involved and that the incident was staged as a suicide. She further alleged that crucial forensic evidence, including biological samples, had been tampered with or suppressed. At the time, a local forensic expert, Dr. B. Muni Swamy, suggested the possibility of manual strangulation in his initial remarks, which added to the controversy. The case unfolded during the early phase of 24-hour Telugu news channels, leading to intense media debates and widespread speculation about political cover-ups and conspiracy theories.
Two years after the incident, a sessions court convicted Siddhartha Reddy under Section 306 for abetment of suicide and Section 309 for attempt to suicide, sentencing him to five years in prison. Later, the Andhra Pradesh High Court reduced the sentence to two years while increasing the fine to ₹50,000. Both Siddhartha Reddy and Pratyusha’s mother challenged aspects of the ruling, taking the matter to the Supreme Court.
With its latest judgment, the Supreme Court dismissed all appeals, confirmed poisoning as the cause of death, and ruled out charges of rape and murder. The conviction for abetment of suicide was upheld, and Siddhartha Reddy was directed to surrender within four weeks. Over the years, he has maintained a low public profile, and there has been little confirmed information about his whereabouts.
Pratyusha’s mother, who was a government school teacher before her daughter entered films, later started a charitable initiative in her daughter’s name and has consistently pursued the case in courts, including during Supreme Court proceedings, seeking stricter punishment. The final verdict is likely to be disappointing for her and for many who believed the case warranted stronger charges. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court’s ruling formally concludes one of the most debated legal battles in Telugu cinema history.
