 The cross-cultural confusions added with romance are always interesting. Otherwise a book like Inscrutable Americans (by Anurag Mathur) wouldn't be a top-seller for several years now.
Vennela, the film, has plenty of this, and they have been handled well by the director Deva Katta. So what we have is a good A-center entertainer that has both humor and emotion.The youthful feel and the candy floss effect all have an agreeable attraction in the film.
Naveen (Raja) and his gang (Mohit, Kishore, Madhu Reddy) go to the USA as open - eyed jaw-dropping youngsters. Like most impressionistic boys from India, they have the typical things in their mind. But after some funny romps, Naveen gets attracted to Pavani (Paravati Melton). But just as the two some are to get cozy, thanks to the machinations of Sayeed (Ravi Varma), enters Ritesh (Sarvanand).
Now, Ritesh is a former boy friend of Pawani. The two had split due to Ritesh’s habits. But now he is here with a purpose. So who will she end up with? There is an intriguing twist in the tale.
Vennela is good and watchable because it takes entertainment seriously. There is no intention to short change the audience.
 Raja as Naveen is very cute. This is a role that is straight up his alley and he has made the most of it. His looks and mannerisms are just tailor-made for this character. Raja once again proves that he is the modern and urban face of Telugu cinema.
Paravati Melton looks good. Her histrionics are nothing extraordinary. But she passes muster in the simple role.
Saravanand, with lot of dark shades to his character, has turned in a mature performance. The others Mohit, Ravi Varma all have accounted themselves every well. Brahmanandam as an Indian restaurateur in the US brings a few laughs.
Music is a strong suite of Vennela. Mahesh Shankar’s songs have a very good appeal and is soothing and trendy, in turns. Raja Ratnam’s camera work too is pleasing on the eyes.
On the whole, Deva Katta shows that he can tell an urban tale with simplicity. The thing about him is that he doesn’t like to clutter himself with too many ideas. He has delivered what he has taken up.
Despite some minor glitches (production quality is uneven), the film is good. Period.
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