Movie: Oka Laila Kosam

Banner: Annapurna Studios

Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Pooja Hegde, Ali, Suman, Sayaji Sinde, Sudha and Others

Music: Anoop Rubens

Editor: Praveen Pudi

Cinematography: I. Andrew

Producer: Akkineni Nagarjuna

Story, Screenplay, Dialogues and Direction: Vijay Kumar Konda

Release date: October 17, 2014

After Manam, Nagarjuna Akkineni produces yet another film, this time for his son Naga Chaitanya. While Manam was a unique story told convincingly, Oka Laila Kosam is a fresh approach to a quintessential love story. Well, a love story is a love story. The only difference would be in the way it is handled and that’s where Vijay Kumar Konda succeeds.

The film opens with a scene reminiscent of Nagarjuna’s Geetanjali where Karthik (Naga Chaitanya) graduates from a leading business school. But instead of taking up a job with an MNC, he decides to take time off and spend a year trying to figure out what exactly he wants to do with his life. Of course, his father (Suman) is not very happy, but gives in to his son’s wish. So, off goes Karthik to picture postcard locations in Europe, sings a peppy number and on his way back, sees Nandu (Pooja Hedge) and its love at first sight for him.

Meanwhile, he decides to write a book Oka Laila Kosam like all yuppie professionals these days. And not before long, he spots Nandu again. But much as Karthik tries to impress her, things don’t go his way and Nandu does not fall for him. In a strange twist, their families end up fixing their match and they are engaged. While Karthik is ecstatic, Nandu is disappointed. Will she accept Karthik’s love or will they part ways forms the rest of the story.

Naga Chaitanya as Karthik is ideal. Of course, his dad produced the film for him, but his casting is perfect. Karthik’s character starts off as a young professional who is out to explore life and his priorities in life, but once he realizes what he wants, he shows the maturity and depth of a good human being. And Naga Chaitanya fits the bill perfectly as he pulls off both shades with equal ease. He dresses well and looks nice. Yes, his stylist needs a special mention.

Pooja Hedge is a good find. She looks pretty and her smile is refreshing. Unlike the usual Telugu heroines, she does not bore you by going overboard. No wonder she is already cast opposite Hrithik in Mohenjadaro. Suman, Sayaji Shinde, Sudha and others who are part of their happy families remind you of real-life characters. But the only pain point is Ali’s character. Though for Ali, it is a cakewalk and he plays the jealous uncle with ease.

Anup Rubens comes up with a good album and almost all the songs are good on the ear. But the remix of ANR’s immensely popular hit number Oka Laila Kosam could have been peppier. Cinematography is good, though the editing could have been tighter especially in the second half. 

Vijay Kumar Konda debuted with the hit film Gunde Jaari Gallantayyinde. With Oka Laila Kosam, he shows he is here to stay. He succeeds in telling a love story to suit the changing tastes of Telugu audiences. Nagarjuna Akkineni, who is the producer of the film, is bang on in his new role. After Manam which has become a landmark film in the history of Telugu cinema, he goes on to make a film totally in keeping with the new-age audiences.

Naga Chaitanya

Direction

Music

Slow pace at few places

Boy sees a girl, falls in love and so begins their love story. Well, there is absolutely nothing new to the story. But a love story can be made interesting with the right cast and with the way it is narrated. And Vijay Kumar Konda does just that. But Vijay Kumar needs to be appreciated for handling Naga Chaitanya perfectly. He puts in all shades expected from a hero, but he remains true to making a love story which is not high on action and masala. Instead, he relies heavily on his principal character Karthik to tell a love story that is totally convincing.

Naga Chaitanya has tried playing varied roles and dabbled with romantic films and action flicks. But Karthik suits him well as he gets to show the variations in his character. His dialogue delivery remains his only problem at times, but otherwise, he is perfect. The pace of the film is a bit slow especially during the second half and you wish some scenes with Ali could have been handled better. On the whole, Oka Laila Kosam is a happy watch. Nagarjuna has timed the release perfectly and it might work in favour of the film.

Bottomline: Colourful love story