Sarangapani Jathakam is noted director Indraganti Mohana Krishna’s new comedy that has Priyadarshi, Roopa Koduvayur, and Vennela Kishore in lead roles. The film has been released with a low buzz, and read our review to find out if the film is worth giving a shot on the big screen.

Plot

Sarangapani (Priyadarshi) is a man who blindly believes in astrology. After getting engaged to his boss, Mythili (Roopa Koduvayur), he crosses paths with an astrologer (Srinivas Avasarala) at a pub and casually asks him to predict his future. To his shock, the astrologer declares that Sarangapani is destined to commit a brutal murder and only by doing so will he attain peace in life. Disturbed by this revelation, Sarangapani, with the help of his quirky friend (Vennela Kishore), sets out to murder in hopes of escaping his ill-fated destiny. Did Sarangapani go through with it? Who did he choose as his target? And what kind of chaos does this absurd mission unleash? That forms the crux of the film.

Performances

Sarangapani Jathakam is a simple comedy that banks heavily on its performances. With a thin storyline, Indraganti depends fully on his ensemble cast to deliver the goods, and they don’t let him down. Priyadarshi once again proves his versatility; he brings out the tension and quirkiness of his character so convincingly. However, it’s Vennela Kishore who steals the show with his impeccable comic timing. It’s largely thanks to him that the jokes land so well. He, along with Harsha Chemudu, forms the backbone of the film’s humor. All the scenes featuring Vennela Kishore, Priyadarshi and Viva Harsha are an absolute riot in the second half.

Roopa Koduvayur is decent in her role, though her character feels a bit sidelined. Veterans like Naresh and Tanikella Bharani do well in their limited roles. Srinivas Avasarala gets a meaty role and leaves a mark with his performance.

Positives:

Situational comedy
Dialogues
Grandmother sequence
Second-half chaos
Climax

Negatives:

Thin storyline
Dependency on coincidences
Predictable narration

Analysis:

Sarangapani Jathakam brings back the comedy that director Indraganti is known for in his previous films. The humor is situational, and the actors lead the pack when it comes to evoking laughs. The same applies to Sarangapani Jathakam as well. The film is based on Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime, a short story by Oscar Wilde published in 1887. Indraganti has taken the essence of it, created a fun setup, and showcased a man who is obsessed with astrology.

But sadly, this aspect is not well established in the narrative. Why the main lead believes so deeply in astrology is not conveyed properly, as the director focuses only on the fun elements. As a result, the basic twist and the outcome of the conflict become quite predictable. On the plus side, the focus is on comedy, and it delivers to a decent extent. How Priyadarshi and Vennela Kishore choose victims to kill, and how they fail time and again, is presented humorously. One particular sequence involving a grandmother is a cracker.

The chaos shown is okay, but there was more scope for madcap comedy, which falls short in some parts. The second half starts on a slow note, and the heroine breaking up with the hero over his cheap antics feels rushed. Apart from a few episodes, most of the second half is set in a hotel in Vizag. Various episodes are designed during this portion, but only a few land well.

Just when it feels like the director is out of ideas and trying to escape the conflict, the story shifts to the climax, which is well-executed. The fun climax uplifts the overall experience. Sarangapani Jathakam relies mostly on situational comedy and Indraganti Mohana Krishna’s humorous dialogues. While the comedy lands for the most part, other aspects leave much to be desired. There’s a lingering sense of dissatisfaction, as the plot had great potential to deliver many funnier sequences. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen, and the film ends up being a fairly watchable comedy.

Bottom Line: Laughs & Lags