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EDITOR'S PICK
`Siruthai
Puli` - Puri`s overdramatised action masala
Rating: *1/2
In this two-plus hours of sheer torture, you wish you had walked into the
theatre with few anacins in your pocket. "Siruthai Puli" is the dubbed
version of Telugu film "Chirutha" starring then debutants Ram Charan
and Neha Sharma.
Helmed by the master of screenplay Puri, the film screams boredom and lacks even
one inspiring moment. The only saving grace seems to have come in the form of
actor Chiranjeevi`s son Ram Charan.
Ram spends his entire childhood in prison for a crime he never committed, which
he graciously accepted in return for money for his mother`s operation, who was
severely injured by Ashish, a local don. You`re swept off your feet by these `awwww`
moments and before you know, many years have passed and Ram is freed. And before
you know it, the revenge drama kicks in and you`re dragged through an experience
you never wanted.
Puri may not be an extraordinary filmmaker but he definitely has a knack for
handling screenplay. Unfortunately, you don`t get to see the master at his best
in this life-sucking, overdramatised revenge saga. In an effort to heighten
Ram`s image, you can see the director`s desperation to make things work.
The characterisation is weak and baseless. It`s funny how few directors so badly
want to glorify their heroes and in the process, look dumb. Unfortunately, Puri
qualifies to be one among the many in the list. This is how lame Puri`s
characterisation is - Neha, who plays the leading lady in the film is the
daughter of a filthy rich businessman, a globetrotter with her posse of friends
and awfully mean and spoilt. However, when Ram delivers an `Oscar-winning` (pun
intended) two-minute speech, she changes for good.
There are hardly any likeable moments in the film that you can take home and
share with friends and family. Ram shines in his role and displays commitment,
potential and striking aura of an upcoming star. But, he should stop imitating
his father before he gets typecast as a follower.
Neha Sharma, with her amiable looks and sensuous appeal leaves an impact, but
doesn`t qualify to be called brilliant.
The brilliance of Ashish Vidyarthi and Prakash Raj go unnoticed and completely
wasted. This reminds me of Nana Patekar being asked to play some comedian
brother to Katrina Kaif than a fearsome cop in "Ab Tak Chhappan". Some
actors are best suitable for certain characters that are etched specially for
them, but if you push them to play clowns, their talent is wasted.
Instead of sitting through this brainless dramatisation of cinema, I`d recommend
you to watch one of Puri`s better films.