Review Overview
Performances
Screenplay and Direction
Technical Aspects and BGM
Lost in translation!
Rudhramadevi is completely lost in translation thanks mainly to the bland dialogues of Pa Vijay that barely make an emotional connect with the audience. Though the film has few occasionally good moments to savor, the underuse of overflowing characters, tacky visual effects, subdued storytelling and the sheer lack of a competent antagonist make Rudhramadevi a damp squib.
Cast: Anushka, Allu Arjun, Rana Daggubati, Catherine Tresa, Nithya Menen, Prakashraj & others
Cinematography: Ajay Vincent
Music: Ilaiyaraaja
Art Direction: Thotta Tharani
Costumes: Neeta Lulla
Editing: Sreekar Prasad
VFX Supervisor: RC Kamalakannan
Stunts: A Vijay
Written & Directed by: Gunasekhar
Produced by: Gunaa Team Works
Distribution: Sri Thenanadal Films
Release Date: 16-10-2015
Run Time: 02:45:00
Version : TAMIL
Rudhramadevi is completely lost in translation thanks mainly to the bland dialogues of Pa Vijay that barely make an emotional connect with the audience. Though the film has few occasionally good moments to savor, the underuse of overflowing characters, tacky visual effects, subdued storytelling and the sheer lack of a competent antagonist make Rudhramadevi a damp squib.
When the political situation in Kakatiya dynasty becomes volatile, the King is forced to introduce his baby girl to the kingdom as a male heir. It is because of the prevailing gender stereotypes within and outside the elephantine Kakatiya kingdom where people would never accept a female heir to sit on the throne. The revelation of Rudhramadevayuvaraja to Rudhramadevi and its aftermath is narrated using a series of events which are quite uninteresting.
Anushka shines in the titular role with scorching screen presence in the fight scenes. She nails it to enact the emotional turmoil she undergoes and tranforms her subtle expressions brilliantly on screen. Director Gunasekhar could have injected a little more depth to her character , which never makes us invest in her display of bravery. Nevertheless, Anushka delivers an immensely satisfying performance and proves her uncanny acting prowess. It would not be a hyperbole to call her the most versatile and most daring contemporary actress in South Indian cinema.
The Robin Hood-like Gona Gona Reddy, played by Allu Arjun, is the most interesting character after Anushka Shetty in the film for obvious reasons. He aces the role and utters rhyming punch dialogues which are absolutely hilarious courtesy the dialogue translator.
The pre-climax war scenes are inventive and Gunasekhar, certainly, deserves a pat on the back for staying honest to the premise without any melodrama and overdose of commercial compromises. However, the complete lack of drama in the screenplay gives us the feeling of reading a book. It would have been better had the director focussed more on the titular character. The burden of the ensemble cast is quite evident and it brings down the intensity in the story which should have been otherwise inspiring.
Ilaiyaraja’s background score, surely, helps the film in crucial junctures. But, it also sounds jarring at some portions and doesn’t seamlessly blend with the storyline. The breathtaking aerial shots of Ajay Vincent offer quite a visual spectacle but the overuse of the same makes it a little tiring to bear.
Overall, Rudhramadevi solely rides on the shoulders of Anushka Shetty, who comes up with yet another remarkable act in a women-centric film.
Rudhramadevi Movie Review Rating: 2.5/5
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Written by Surendhar MK