July 29, 2009

Prayanam - A pleasant journey

Prayanam starring Manchu Manoj as Dhruv and Harika as is, is a feel good entertainer. More than 90% of the film is set in the backdrop of Kuala Lumpur airport. Dhruv and his two friends are on a holiday and plan to board a flight to Singapore. Harika is a hair stylist in Malaysia and is on her way back to Hyderabad to meet her prospective groom. The two of them meet at the airport and the next two hours show how Dhruv falls in love with Harika and tries to woo her.

Harika is expressive and perfectly fits the role. But, it was Manoj's performance that took me by surprise. I liked him for the first time in so many years with a handful of films in his list. Manoj literally lived Dhruv's role. In fact a director joked that Manoj has finally got a female fan when I told him this. :D. Brahmanandam provides comic relief as tiger man. The scenes between him and Dhruv's writer friend are funny.

Prayanam is a very light hearted film. It may not lie in the interest of those who look for a mixture of drama, action and romance.

My rating for this film - ****
(* You will shoot me
** Waste of time
*** Can sit through
**** Worth watching once
***** Must watch)

July 03, 2009

Indira, Rajiv and nobody else

Yet another monument or construction in the name of Rajiv Gandhi! I am talking about the new Bandra-Worli sea link. I hate this one thing about Congress. They behave as if there is no other person alive or dead worthy of recognition and honour in the history of pre-independent and post-independent India apart from their 'family' leaders Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Lousy self proclamation, indeed.

Rajiv Gruh Nirman, Rajiv Gandhi International airport, Indiramma gruha patakam (housing schemes in A.P.) etc. The ruling Congress party always does that. They name everything from poor people housing schemes to free ration to international airports to monuments.. everything under the sun in the name of either Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi! If they don't want to use names of prominent leaders who served from other political parties, let them not. But, at least look into your backyard. There are the likes of P.V.Narasimha Rao who certainly have some outstanding contribution to their credit. Go, get a life!