'Naa Saami Ranga' stars Akkineni Nagarjuna in the lead. Produced by Srinivasaa Silver Screen, the film was released today in theatres. How is this remake of the Malayalam film 'Porinju Mariam Jose'? Let's find out.
Plot:
In the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, Kishtaiah (Akkineni Nagarjuna) is an orphan who values his relationship with three individuals the most: Anji (Allari Naresh as his childhood friend), Peddayya (Nassar, who plays his employer-guardian), and Varaalu (Ashika Ranganath, who plays his love interest). When Peddayya's violent, immoral son develops enmity with him and Anji, the consequences are unforgiving and traumatic.
Performances:
Nagarjuna hasn't been in form for years now. 'Bangarraju' had him play to his strengths but he couldn't outshine his 'Soggade Chinni Nayana' performance in that 2022 release. 'Naa Saami Ranga' comes in this context. At a time when expectations from the glam king of the 1990s and 2000s Telugu cinema are low, this Sankranthi brings to us the easy charmer in him. His screen presence is enhanced by his messy hairstyle and the visual palette.
Ashika Ranganath of 'Amigos' fame is cute. At a time when all the limelight has been hogged by Sree Leela and Rashmika Mandanna, Ashika comes across as a potential star heroine if she picks her roles carefully. Allari Naresh is good but he should have done better to be endearing. Raj Tarun plays more of a sidekick with no personality despite having a love track of his own with Rukshar Dhillon. Nassar, Rao Ramesh (as Varaalu's manipulative dad), Harshavardhan (as a cop), and Mahesh Achanta are average.
Technical Departments:
MM Keeravani may have admittedly done this movie because the remuneration offered was irresistible, but his output is sincere regardless. The songs never feel half-hearted, although the background score is way too old-fashioned. But then, as Thaman would say, a composer can do only so much if the scenes lack the punch. The fights by the Ram-Laxman duo, Venkat, and Prudhvi are conventional. Shivendra Dasaradhi's cinematography is good.
Merits:
1. At the conceptual level, the first fight is appealing. It suits the star-hero image enjoyed by Nag.
2. The scene where Nag and his heroine go on a bicycle ride.
3. The template of the rom-com track is not routine. Varaalu speaks her mind and indulges herself, much to the amusement of her boyfriend.
4. The lead pair's chemistry.
5. The wedding song in the second half is well-staged and choreographed.
6. The final 7-10 minutes. The complaint is the ordinary emotional action scene here.
Demerits:
1. The film suffers from pacing issues.
2. There is no attempt at adding anything original to the Malayalam source material.
3. The comedy moments are few and far between. So much could have been done by leveraging Allari Naresh's talent.
4. The supporting artists and villains are dull.
Vox Verdict:
'Naa Saami Ranga' attempts to be a part comedy, part emotional drama with 1990s-style entertainment. The results are patchy. Give it a try if you are tired of action thrillers and grave crime capers.
