Banner:    Sri Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures
Cast:    Manchu Manoj, Tapsee, Mohan Babu, Suman, Brahmanandam, MS Narayana, Ali, Dharmavarapu, Ahuti Prasad, Tanikella Bharani, Sudha, Aishwarya, Pragati and Others
Direction:    K Raghavendra Rao
Production:    Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna
Music:    MM Keeravani

K.Raghavendra Rao comes back with an entertainer after a series of religious and devotional movies. Remember he was once the undisputed director at the box office and the expectations on him are very high.

‘Jhummandi Nadham’ marks the debut of Manchu Lakshmi as a producer for her father’s reputed banner Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures. Not just the producer, Lakshmi is the first person on screen, who introduces the hero and narrates in the background. It shows her personal and caretaking interest for her movie. As a producer, she’s not compromised on the quality of the movie.

The Movie

Raghavendra Rao, the veteran director of more than a hundred movies, has come up with a commercial entertainer with music as the backdrop. The movie is an assortment of music, sentiment, comedy and some action. The story is simple. It is not new. It is a vintage story that has been repeated a million times on Telugu screen.

The hero is high on ambition of becoming a famous singer as big as S.P.Balasubramaniam. To chase his dreams he takes an oath of returning to the village only upon becoming a singer. So he comes to Hyderbad. On the other hand, the heroine from USA wants to make a documentary on traditional Telugu music. She’s in search of a music guide and gets in touch with the hero. So she helps him financially but in the process cupid strikes and they fall in love.

Just like any other love story, the usual hurdles are in place for the love birds. Do they cross these hurdles and marry? Does the hero achieve what he dreams of? If you don’t know the answer, watch the movie! (Like it is not so unpredictable, is it?)

The Strengths

Though the story of ‘Jhummandi Nadham’ is by Bhupathi Raja and screenplay by Gopi Mohan, Raghavendra Rao’s direction expertise is quite evident throughout the movie. The chemistry between the lead pair and other characters on screen has been handled well. The director has sketched the characters impressively and the story has been well narrated though it might not make you stuck to your seats.

A few scenes show the direction excellence of Raghavendra Rao. A particular scene of confrontation between Mohan Babu and Manoj has been well directed. For every cause of worry, a string of a ‘veena’ is pulled out. A classy Raghavendra Rao touch. The movie has many such scenes, if the audience has an eye for appreciation.

S.Gopal Reddy’s camera work is brilliant. The experienced cinematographer has captured the beautiful locations of Kerala, Araku and parts of Andhra Pradesh beautifully. He deserves a heavy pat of appreciation in the movie and the director has used his work effectively. The other strength of the movie is the music. M M Keeravani is the trump card in this team. He has composed mellifluous music. ‘Entha Entha’, ‘Laali Paaduthunnadi’ and other songs are really bliss to the ears.

The art director Raghu Kulkarni and his team have worked hard for the sets for the other songs. His art work along with some special effects has made the songs appear differently. The art director receives appreciation for creativity and director Raghavendra Rao has made sure his signature direction – using property in songs is not left out. Flowers, candles, and many other articles for different songs have been used creatively. Trademark: Raghavendra Rao.

The Performances

‘Rocking Star’ Manoj as Balu has done a decent job. He is grooming as an actor and as times goes by he will be a polished actor. His dialogue delivery can be improved and so is his expression. He has worked hard no doubt. Next- debutant ‘Andhala Bhaama’ Taapsee, she’s beautiful and her acting is good enough for a debutant. She’s done her job well, nothing much to complaint about her; improvement will come on its own.

Mohan Babu as Captain Rao is a caretaker of the heroine. The veteran actor is an important character in the movie and his performance in the movie is remarkable. It reminds us of Mohan Babu’s performances in the past. His character has a lot of dimensions. As a comedian, he makes us laugh; as a faithful friend, he is caring; as a villain, he is cunning. Comedians Bramhanandam, M.S.Narayana, Dharmavarappu and Ali do their part. Other supporting actors like Suman as heroine’s father, Pragathi as her mother, Ahuthi Prasad and actors as Manoj’s friends have acted their part well.

The Negatives

Raghavendra Rao has made sure his assortment is filled with entertaining values. The veteran director lives up to the expectations to a great extent. The movie’s weakness or minuses exists primarily on the screenplay that the director can’t be blamed for. The screenplay is good not that it is bad, it is long. Editor Marthand K Venkatesh would have chopped scenes heavily yet in the second half of the movie, the length could have been finer as there is a protracted feeling about the movie.

The heroine is fully clad in some occasions but in most occasions it is not so. The audiences are over it yet the director has stuck to mini skirts to woo the front benchers. A few songs could have been pictured well instead of showing only the heroine’s thighs.