It has been a long time since legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam scored a super hit. ‘Sakhi’ which came in 2000 was the last big success. Though ‘Ok Bangaram’ was declared a hit, it wasn’t entirely satisfactory. Films like ‘Yuva’ and ‘Villain’ got critical acclaim but they were commercial failures. It is unnecessary to about disasters like ‘Kadali’ and ‘Cheliyaa’. But things took a positive turn for Mani Ratnam after ‘Ponniyin Selvan – 1’. The movie has nearly reached 400 crores of gross collections and the Tamil audience are terming it as a classic.
Though it did not perform well in any other language including Telugu, Mani Ratnam’s taking, visuals and colorful presentation paired with stellar performances made this film a decent success. Talk from Chennai circles claim that the result of ‘PS – 1’ has made Mani Ratnam to team up with Rajnikanth. This duo made ‘Thalapathy’ together back in 1991 and it was a huge success. This movie which was based on the friendship of Duryodhana and Karna from Mahabharat has gained a cult classic status. It is considered as Mani Ratnam’s best work and Ilayaraja’s music is heard even today.
It has been 31 years since it released and sources claim that the superstar-Mani Ratnam combo may happen once the director finishes working on ‘PS – 2’ which will be arriving next year. Unlike ‘PS – 1 & 2’, Rajni’s film will not be set in a period backdrop and reports are that it showcases the journey of a man who sees many ups and down in life. It reportedly runs on the lines of ‘Nayagan’. Currently, Rajni is working on Nelson’s ‘Jailer’ and we need to wait till the news becomes official.
Recent Random Post:
Shiva Kandukuri’s Nawab Cafe Review: Routine Emotional Drama
Shiva Kandukuri comes up with yet another emotional drama in the form of Nawab Cafe, hoping to score a much-needed success. Directed by Pramod Harsha, the film attempts to blend family sentiment with a coming-of-age transformation story.
Story Overview
Raja (Shiva Kandukuri) is a young man determined to settle abroad and chase a better future. Just when his plans are about to materialize, fate forces him to stay back and take charge of his father’s long-running tea shop. His father, played by Rajeev Kanakala, has built Nawab Cafe with years of hard work and emotional attachment. The rest of the film focuses on Raja’s struggle between ambition and responsibility, and how he eventually embraces family over personal dreams.
Performances
Shiva Kandukuri shows growth and handles the emotional depth of his character with sincerity. He performs well in the dramatic confrontations and delivers a controlled performance in the latter half. Rajeev Kanakala stands out with a heartfelt portrayal of a father who silently bears emotional pain. His scenes with Shiva are easily the highlight of the film.
Teju Ashwini has a limited presence and does not get much scope to shine. Chaitanya Krishna appears in a routine role that adds little value to the narrative.
Technical Side
Music by Prashanth R Vihari is average. While the songs fail to make an impact, the background score works in a few emotional moments. The cafe backdrop gives the film a grounded atmosphere, but overall production quality feels modest. Some dialogues, especially those involving the father-son exchanges, are well written.
What Works
- The father-son emotional moments
- Performances by Shiva Kandukuri and Rajeev Kanakala
- A few sincere dramatic scenes
What Doesn’t Work
- Outdated and predictable storyline
- Slow screenplay
- Weak comedy and underdeveloped romance
- Lack of strong emotional payoff
Final Take
Nawab Cafe is built on a familiar emotional template that has been explored many times in Telugu cinema. While the lead performances bring some authenticity, the predictable narrative and sluggish execution make the film feel ordinary. It is a sincere attempt but ultimately ends up as a routine and underwhelming family drama.
Final Verdict: A below-average emotional entertainer that works only in parts.
