Three periodic drama/fantasy flicks have released back to back, while we sit and wonder how the movie has fared out it’s important that we appreciate the effort of the teams behind the desk for its no joke to organize and deliver a hard working project which showcases our history and culture with apt elements. Rudramadevi is the story of a no-nonsense warrior princess from the 13th century. Director Gunashekar has put his heart and soul into the movie which looks tailor made for Anushka, giving us a second thought on who better would have done this with ease.
Story:
Like every other King who would want a son to take forward his dynasty, King Ganapatideva too longs for it, but luck would have it, he is blessed with a baby girl and he is forced to name it as "Rudradeva" to avoid a cloud of internal politics among his ministers and small kingdoms. Through the first half it’s about how Anushka learns her true identity and decides to stay put by camouflaging as the prince to save her country from the conspirators. There are so many characters in the movie that we start to lose track of who is doing what, Allu Arjun has a Robinhood kind of role to help the people, talks out loud with Punch dialogues flying around, Rana is a perfect example of “A friend in need is a friend indeed”, looks as if let off from the Baahubali days. Also present is Prakash Raj as the rajguru with his timely advices and tidbits, Catherine Teresa, Nithya Menon, Suman, and the unusual Baba Sehgal too.
So with an array of characters, an interesting plot and princess dressed as a prince, the truth breaks out and what happens? Chaos, killings and a comeback from the warrior princess, how is to watch and find out.
Performances:
The film industry up north has shifted gears and started looking at female oriented subject a few years back, there has been a cloud of reluctance down south and Rudramadevi is the first film basking on a female lead subject with big budget and no better heroine could have done justice to this role as Anushka has. As a ruthless prince she exhibits the gritty nature, when we see her as the beautiful princess we see the little girl who wants to be herself surrounded by flowers, take a bow! Allu Arjun’s extended cameo is a delight, with the dialogues and the air of arrogance is simply awesome. Rana, Prakash Raj and the others play their parts of what is intended.
Technical aspects:
CGI, 3D, Cinematography is the second hero of the movie, there is not a single scene that would make us scratch the eye, the long shots of the kingdom, war and stunt sequences, costumes all these are a revelation that Indian cinema is no more in the infancy stage and has matured to explore innovation. Director Gunasekhar has spent enough time in researching the history, for the making itself speaks enough volume of the hardwork. That said, the screenplay in the first half is interesting and makes us wait on how the revelation of Anushka as the princess would be, instead the director takes on a reality show like amateurish durbar scene which doesn’t click much. With a run time of more than 150 minutes, the second half stretches way too much with not much help from the maestro in music department. Ilayaraja’s BGM is good through the first half and has nothing innovative to offer in the climax portions too. The director could have shortened time on the male version of Rudramadevi and worked more what happens after the revelation.
How and why the makers would promote this as a “Bilingual” is something to wonder, the movie is completely dubbed from Telugu to Tamil with even Prakash Raj’s voice different from his original. Tamil audiences have always been skeptical in receiving dubbed movies, this would be a wait and watch game as it moves over the weekend.
That said, the film is an inspiring attempt from Anushka and director Guna riding high on Indian History and its medieval times. Its indeed a worthy watch for its special effects and heroine oriented subject.
Verdict : A brave attempt that is let down by length and screenplay.
