Review : Race Gurram — Winning Horse

Movie: Race Gurram

AP Today Rating : 3.25/5

Cast : Allu Arjun, Shruti Haasan and more…

Directed by : Surender Reddy

Producer : Nallamalapu Srinivas, Dr. Venkateswara Rao

Release Date : 2014-04-11

Allu Arjun’s Race Gurram silently made its way to theatres without much pre-release buzz. After Arjun’s previous film Iddarammayilatho disappoints his fans, Bunny’s fans are pinning high hopes on Race Gurram. This film is crucial for both Bunny and director Surender Reddy. Without much delay, read our verdict.

Plot: Race Gurram is simple tale of two brothers Ram (Kick Shyam) and Lakshman alias Lucky (Allu Arjun). While Ram strictly goes by book, Lucky is quite opposite to him. Given that Ram and Lucky have contrast attitude, both develop a kind of love-hatred towards each other since childhood. They often fight about petty things since childhood. And yes, rough feathers too develop along with their age. Ram grows up into Assistant Commissioner of Police whereas Arjun turns out to be nothing and depends on his brother. Lucky has love-interest in form of Spandana (Shruti Haasan)

Siva Reddy is notorious ruffian with political aspirations. Naturally, sincere-honest ACP Ram plots to arrest Siva Reddy. What forms rest is how duo Ram and Lucky vanish Siva Reddy. How Siva Reddy and his father Peddi Reddy confronts?

Performances: 

Allu Arjun: Allu Arjun has already proved himself as care-free and happy-go-lucky guy in films like Julayi. Once again, Bunny is seen in similar role and yes, he is son of Tanikella Bharani again. But Surender Reddy has added a lot of action to Arjun’s role and makes him a super hero and that is what make this film work. Allu Arjun carry off the film on his shoulders. Unlike Iddarammayilatho, Bunny satiates his fans to the hilt.

Kick Shyam: Kick Shyam as ACP Ram fits the bill perfectly. Once again Shyam does decent job after Kick. He has more screen presence this time.

Ravi Kishan: Ravi Kishan smoothly slips into the role of villain Siva Reddy. He is good as baddie. He takes the antagonism to new level.

Shruti Haasan: To put it fairly, Shruti Haasan’s role is passable. But her introduction, characterization is marvelous. She is easy on her eyes.

Technical aspects: Manoj Paramhamsa cranks camera well. SS Thaman disappoints with his most-boring composition. Songs rendered by Thaman work against the film. However, re-recording is blessing in disguise. Editing could have been better. The film’s duration puts one off. If the film is trimmed well, it would have made big difference.

Highlights:

1. Story

2. Screenplay

3. Comedy

4. Brother Sentiment

5. Allu Arjun

6. Prakash Raj

7. Brahmanandam

8. Pre-climax and Climax

Drawbacks:

1. Songs

2. Draggy narration at portions

3. Film’s duration

4. Editing

Analysis: Race Gurram starts with narration of comedian-turned-hero Suneel. The film starts with brief explanation of characterizations of Ram and Lucky. Right from the beginning, director makes sure tickle your funny bone in one way or the other. Surender Reddy has made a perfect mass entertainer, one that makes the blood surge fast in your veins when Arjun fighting with goons. Scenes involving Brahmanandam (Kill Bill Pandey ) and Allu Arjun work splendidly. Theatre was in splits when Brahmi comes on board. After a longtime, Brahmi has done an exceptional role. Prakash Raj is surprise package for Race Gurram.

Brother sentiment between Allu Arjun and Kick Shyam works in favour of the film. But the film’s draggy narration puts you off. Both first half and second half appears to be lengthy. Surender Reddy eat chunk of the time in establishing characters in first half.

As the story gets unfold after interval, movie turns out to be slow. It is Brahmanandam’s entry that saves the film. He is seen in never-before-seen role. He is special force officer and his super-hero acts work brilliantly. He once again successful in. Songs by SS Thaman is big letdown. But Thaman manages to compensate the loss with background score.What may not go well with Allu Arjun’s fans is Bunny hasn’t shaken his legs much in Race Gurram. Pre-climax and climax are assets for film. Of course, Race Gurram is another typical Telugu mass entertainer which defies logic. But Surender Reddy has done convincing, engaging job. The film has impressive checklist of all ingredients for a mass potboiler.

Bottom Line: This Horse has worth to bet your money