Rating: 1.5/5 : Director Trivikram’s “Guntur Kaaram” fails to live up to the expectations by the fans of Mahesh Babu, and no where near to the the spectacle of his previous blockbuster “Ala Vaikunthapurramloo”. The film lacks a compelling story, with the central theme revolving around an adult son’s desire to reconnect with his long-lost mother. However, apart from this premise, the movie lacks the immersive aspects to hold the audience, create dramatic intensity and hook the audience.
The sentimental scenes between the mother and son fail to evoke any emotional impact. The narrative focuses more on putting the spotlight on the individual responsible for their separation rather than building sympathy for their reunion. This approach undermines the sentimentality of the story, making it difficult for viewers to invest in the characters’ journey.
Another low point of the movie lies in the introduction of the second female lead character portrayed by Meenakshi Chowdhary. Her role merely shows her offering Mahesh Babu food and drinks while he savours alcohol. It is disappointing to see a second female protagonist reduced to such insignificant scenes.
The first half of the film is served to the audience with songs, dialogues, fight sequences, and establishing romantic relationship between the hero and heroine. The heroine’s dance performances for Instagram reels also take up unwarrented screen time.
Furthermore, the repetitive scenes of Prakash Raj trying to convince Mahesh Babu to sign documents become monotonous throughout the interval. Sreeleela and Vennela Kishore’s characters visit Guntur with the purpose of persuading Mahesh Babu to sign the documents. However, their stay in Mahesh Babu’s house becomes an excuse for an extended episode involving the consumption of beverages.
Mahesh Babu requests Vennela Kishore to sing songs, followed by Sreeleela showcasing her dancing skills to popular songs. While this episode may provide some entertainment, it feels scenes without purupose and unrelated to the main plot, just adding sequences to fill the runtime.
In the latter half of the film, a significant portion is dedicated to showcasing “mass moments” and featuring songs like “Mava Enthaina” and “Kurchini Madatetti”. However, the drama in these moments falls short compared to Trivikram’s previous works like “Attarintiki Daaredi” or “Ala Vaikunthapurramloo”.
The villain’s motive is also shallow, lacking coherence and depth. At the conclusion of the film, there is no sigh of relief from the union of the mother and son. Instead, viewers are relieved that the cringe-worthy proceedings have come to an end.
The film heavily on the shoulders of Mahesh Babu’s ‘kaaram’ and performance to carry it forward. To conclude, “Guntur Kaaram” falls short in delivering a compelling story and fails to engage the audience on an emotional level. It lacks coherence in its narrative and incorporates unrelated episodes solely to fill the runtime. While it may appeal to fans of Mahesh Babu, the film lacks the depth and substance seen in Trivikram’s earlier works.
The shortcomings of “Guntur Kaaram”
Outdated Scenes: One of the major shortcomings of the movie is the presence of outdated scenes. These scenes may not resonate well with the modern audience and can make the movie feel less relevant.
Lack of Emotional Depth: Another shortcoming of “Guntur Kaaram” is the lack of emotional depth in its storytelling. The movie may fail to establish a strong emotional connection with the audience, which can impact their overall engagement and enjoyment.
Weak Character Development: The movie may suffer from weak character development, where the characters may not be fully fleshed out or lack depth. This can make it difficult for the audience to connect with the characters and invest in their journey.
Predictable Plot: “Guntur Kaaram” may have a predictable plot, where the storyline follows a conventional and formulaic structure. This can reduce the element of surprise and make the movie feel less engaging for viewers who are looking for unique and innovative storytelling.
Lack of Originality: The movie may lack originality and may rely heavily on clichés and tropes commonly seen in similar films. This can make it feel repetitive and unoriginal, especially for viewers who are seeking fresh and unique narratives.
Guntur Kaaram” can be watched once with low expectations during the festive season, without expecting much originality, action, or humor.