No takers for a message-oriented movie

Making a film with a view to give a message is really a daring act. Producers who come forward to make such films need compliments as they could not expect commercial benefits from such films. Though the intention is good, it is like swimming against the current and the director needs a lot of commitment in preparing a very good script with perfect screenplay. It was once again proved that it needs a lot of homework and maturity for the director in making one such film. Viswa Prasad tried his best but his immaturity resulted in the poor running of the story.

Gireesam (Krishna Bhagawan) is an orphan with no kith and kin. However, he is very good and kind at heart. He always wants to help others and at the same time expects something in return from them to eke out his living. However, his helping nature made everyone benefit from him. Sastry (Jayaprakash Reddy) has two daughters (Krushi and Sairabanu) and a son called Venkatesam. He invests money in a chit company and loses it as the firm reverses its board. However, Gireesam helps Venkatesam and other such customers in getting back the money. Madhuravani (Ramyakrishna) is an advocate, and is known for fighting the cause of woman.

She starts an orphanage for women, who were ditched by the society and help them do some work in the home for women. Gireesam had the habit of sharing a part of his earnings by donating to the orphanage run by Madhuravani. Sastry's elder daughter Vani (Krushi) had Kuja Dosham and nobody comes forward to marry her. His second daughter Lakshmi (Sairabanu) pursues her degree course. Vani's colleague faces a problem with her in-laws. She was pregnant and carries a girl child, which they don't want. With the help of Gireesam, Vani helps her in getting a divorce and got her a job in Madhuravani's orphanage. Unfortunately, Lakshmi's friend gets caught in a flesh trade racket and Gireesam also helps her in getting out of it.

Vani and Gireesam fall in love with each other, but Sastry refuses their marriage as Gireesam has no job and no money. After a few turn of events, Gireesam learns that Sastry is getting cheated by a person called Lakshmipati (Sandesh), who used to marry women for dowry and either divorce them or kill them after a few days. So, Madhuravani and Gireesam chalk out a plan and with the help of one Mr K (MS Narayana), they enact a drama by showing Venkatesam in a girl's attire and arrange an alliance with Lakshmipati. In the climax, Lakshmipati gets caught by the police and the court convicts him to life imprisonment with the powerful argument by Madhuravani in the court. Though Sastry agrees for the alliance of Vani with Gireesam after learning that the latter earned Rs 1 crore in KBC, Gireesam refuses to marry Vani and donates the prize money to Madhuravani's orphanage. Vani and Gireesam remain friends forever and keep helping others.

PLUS:

The theme of the film is message-oriented and the intention of the makers is good. They wanted to explain that the society should honour the women and treat them properly. She should not be used like a doll. Marriage, dowry, girl child, flesh trade, blackmailing — all these turn a bane for women. Every individual should work to eradicate these maladies.

But this message could not be explained properly on the screen though the director and producer made sincere efforts. Krishna Bhagawan did his best in his role. Ramyakrishna's performance remains a highlight for the movie. All the others including Krushi, Sairabanu, Sandesh, MS Narayana, Jayaprakash Reddy, Jeeva and others did justice to their roles.

MINUS:

The poor and old-type narration made the film unimpressive. The film gave the feel of watching an extended version of a television serial. Music by Quddus is okay. Sairabanu went a little overboard and appeared doing a little overaction. Camera work by Rajesh Kata is average and he failed to maintain perfect lighting and colour grading all through the film. Editing should have been a little sharper. Krushi's dance with children in 'Krishna' attire appeared very dramatic

ANALYSIS:

At a time, when the entire Telugu film industry is after making films with love, college, action and faction backdrops, trying to do a film, that too a message-oriented movie in itself is a challenge. The producers might have made the film knowing fully well that it may not go well commercially. But, if the subject had gone to seasoned directors like EVV, the film would have a little more commercial elements and entertainment and gel well with the audiences.

Cast: Krishna Bhagawan, Ramyakrishna, Sandesh, Jayaprakash Reddy, MS Narayana, Jeeva, Gauthamraju, Balaji, Ramjagan, Raghunatha Reddy, Sairabanu, Krushi, Padma Jayanti, Apoorva, and others.

Credits: Dialogues – Kornipati Venu Bhargav, Lyrics – Kulasekhar, Ramajogaiah Sastry, Chaitanya Prasad and Peddada Murthy, Camera – Rajesh Kata, Editing – Anirudra Reddy, Music – SA Quddus, Presents – Gelivi Muralimohan, Producers – Ramesh Chandra and Benarjeebabu, Story, screenplay and direction – Viswaprasad.

Banner: SRC Creations

Mr. Gireesam Photo Gallery