The long in the making ‘Motta Siva Ketta Siva’ is also Raghava Lawrence's first film outside the Muni franchise. Here he has tried to pull off an out and out mass hero role and it remains to be seen how the audience receives it.
The film opens with an all powerful MP villain Ashutosh Rana, who is building a mall grabbing the land of the downtrodden. He dismisses an honest Minister who opposed it, in a second and in broad daylight kills the engineer who filed a case. It's time to introduce the hero now a cop Siva (Raghava Lawrence) who single handedly rescues a kidnapped minister (yes, you read it right) and his daughter in a forest. However, he is not doing it for free and demands a transfer to Chennai. In Chennai he shuns the uniform for gaudy wardrobe and his over the top behavior suggests he has an old score to settle with the Commissioner (Sathyaraj) and hence he breaks every rule in the book allowing his subordinates and the local criminals a free hand. Siva also falls for Sun TV reporter Nikki Galrani and forms a team with the villain himself. What brings about a change of heart in him, what is his relationship with Sathyaraj and how he brings the baddie down is told faithfully in Telugu garam masala style ( It's a remake you see).
Raghava Lawrence's biggest hits have been the Muni/Kanchana films, mainly because the boy next door charm that he displayed in them were relatable to the audiences. Here the mass role in the mould of Rajini, Ajith and Vijay is too heavy for his shoulders and it shows. Lawrence is also making his aspirations clear by adding the prefix "Makkal Superstar" in the title card and not so subtly placed philanthropy scenes involving the disabled. However, he is in his elements in the dances, fights and the sarcastic dialogue deliveries. Nikki Galrani as the reporter has nothing to do but display her navel prominently in scenes as well as the songs (that's not a complaint). Sathyaraj as the commissioner and father makes his presence felt even in a sparsely written role. Ashutosh Rana is made to roll his eyes over and shout at the top of his voice to prove that he is deadly. Sathish, Chaams and Kovai Sarala as the junior cops end up irritating in their attempts at comedy. In comparison Mottai Rajendran, Thambi Ramaiah, Madan Bob, Devadarshini and Mayilswamy at least manage to bring a smile in their equally badly written roles. The girl playing the deaf mute is worth mentioning while most of the other cast just, sleepwalk through their roles.
The film is not without its better scenes like when the MP keeps sending his goons to the police station the police themselves start attacking each other and damaging the property to put them behing bars (art imitates life!). Another impressive scene is when students protest for the politician and Raghava Lawrence gets their mothers to come and teach the boys a lesson.
Amresh Ganesh has scored the music and the only song that makes an impact is the classic "Aadaludan Paadalum kettu" remix. His background score is loud and blaring. Sarvesh Murari has settled to retain the Telugu flavor and his bright lighting for brighter backgrounds serve the purpose. Praveen K L can do nothing to infuse any innovation as post interval every sequence is villain plans -hero thwarts. Sai Ramani who gave ‘Singam Puli ‘ with Jiiva a few years back has directed this remake of the Telugu movie ‘Pattaas’ for his comeback after a long time. The heavy dosage of mass and masala, the primitive screenplay, forced scenes with the disabled to milk the audience sentiments and uninspiring storytelling may not work in his favour.
Verdict : Go for it if you are a Raghava Lawrence fan and especially if you are a Telugu masala movie fan.
