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Saturday, April 27, 2024
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TELUGU BHARAT ANE NENU
EDITOR'S PICK
'Bharat Ane Nenu': Mahesh Babu plays a politician India needs (Review By Subhash K. Jha ; Rating: **** )
Not once does this politician raise his voice. His soft and gentle eyes
harden into steel when pushed against the wall. But otherwise, Mahesh Babu as
Bharath, the heir-apparent Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, doesn't need to
raise his voice to be heard.
When he talks, everyone strains to listen. And that includes us, the rapt
audience. And when he rebukes the nosy press photographers for prying into his
love life, I could almost feel the flinch.
For three hours, Mahesh Babu's CM act had me glued to my seat. I cheered,
clapped, whooped and whistled (okay I can't whistle after seeing the
incorruptible politician... I can't lie). But this man, so secretive, so
reticent and so reluctant to let the world know what he thinks, simply doesn't
respond to flattery or vilification. Hate him or love him, this man will
continue doing what he believes in.
By default, after his father's sudden death, Bharath is put in the seat of
power. Before that, he is a carefree student in England, enjoying his life of
moderation. Much like Rajiv Gandhi must have when his mother was suddenly
annihilated. Come to think of it, there is a lot of Rajiv Gandhi in Mahesh
Babu's Bharath. The suave, erudite bent of mind, the ability to be persuasive
without bullying his opponents... Except when bullied. Then we see a different
personality.
There is an extremely engaging sequence at a hospital where Bharath's
politician-uncle (Prakash Raj, epitomising the sophisticated sliminess of the
seasoned politician) who is actually responsible for Bharath's unannounced chief
ministership, tries to arm-twist Bharath into reversing his transfer decision
for some errant bureaucrats.
"Please don't embarrass me by insisting," Bharath says gently before walking off
with that understated confidence, leaving behind one red-faced
politician-patriarch.
There are numerous such moments of cathartic rhetoricism in the narrative where
we witness the dynamic chief minister playing politics by self-made rules.
Mahesh Babu makes the cool CM look cooler with his refusal to ‘act cool'. The
only time I cringed was when Bharath asked his startled personal assistant about
the clothes that the girl at the bus stop (whom the CM has been ogling every day
on the way to parliament) must be wearing on that particular day.
This, I thought, was carrying informality too far. But then Bharath, as played
by Mahesh Babu, doesn't abide by given definitions of right and wrong.
Throughout the engrossing film, we see him taking decisions that give us hope
for Indian politics, though I doubt a Chief Minister like Bharath will happen in
my lifetime.
"Bharath Ane Nenu" gives us much more than rousing entertainment. It gives us
hope. Hope for politicians who are fearless and corruption-free and who can put
this messed-up country before self interest.
Mahesh Babu makes it all seem feasible, desirable, attainable. He has solid
support from writer-director Koratala Siva who doesn't allow a moment of the
inherent drama in the plot to be dissipated, diluted or to lapse into humbug.
Indeed, "Bharath Ane Nenu" is one of the most entertaining films I've seen
recently. It regales with its rousing rhetorics on political pursuits and keeps
us interested in the protagonist's battle to remain on top of the mountain of
corruption.
I must also mention A. Sreekar Prasad's editing which wraps itself around the
sprawling saga with insistent economy, and Devi Sri Prasad's music and songs
which careen between inspirational and 'perspirational' depending on who is
dancing to whose tunes.
Most of the times, this fervent concoction of politics and drama has us wrapped
around its little finger.
Forget the spoken language, "Bharath Ane Nenu" speaks the language that we all
crave to hear. The language of incorruptibility. Get us a chief minister like
Bharath and our faith in the democratic process would automatically be restored.
Telugu cinema superstar Mahesh Babu is ecstatic about his new release "Bharath Ane Nenu", which is said to be the fastest money spinner of Telugu cinema, crossing the Rs 125 crore mark."We knew we had a terrific film on our hands as Siva garu (director Koratala Siva) is a great storyteller. But one never knows which way the wind blows. It's always the audience which gives the final verdict, and it's truly overwhelming and a big thank you to all who have unanimously loved our film. It's a very proud moment for me," said Mahesh.Read More
Mahesh Babu's 'Bharath Ane Nenu' to be dubbed in Hindi, confirms DirectorWhen Shekhar Kapoor opined after chairing the National Film Awards jury that there is no such thing as regional cinema any longer, he hadnt seen the new Mahesh Babu starrer "Bharath Ane Nenu", a wish-fulfilment parable on a new political awakening, which has already earned more than Rs 70 crore over the first weekend. And growing stronger by the idea.The elated director, Koratala Siva, is over the moon.Read More
