Release Date : August 14, 2024
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Brahmanandam, VK Naresh, Sri Lakshmi, Rag Mayur, Priya Vadlamani, Hardha Vardhan, and others
Director : Anurag Palutla
Producers : Bapineedu, B Sudheer Edara
Music Director: RH Vikram
Cinematographer: Ankur C
Editors: Naresh Adupa , Hari Shankar TN
Related Links : Trailer
Veeranjaneyulu Vihara Yatra is the first-ever Telugu family road trip film, released directly on the ETV Win OTT platform. With a talented ensemble cast featuring VK Naresh, Rag Mayur, Priya Vadlamani, and the comedy legend Brahmanandam, the movie created quite a buzz with its promos. But did it live up to the expectations? Dive into our review to find out.
Story:
The story revolves around Veeranjaneyulu (Brahmanandam), who dreams of retiring in his self-built home, ‘Happy Home,’ in Goa. Unfortunately, before he can enjoy his retirement, he passes away. His son, Nageswara Rao (VK Naresh), a school teacher, plans to sell the house but requires his family’s consent. This sets the stage for a family road trip to Goa, where buried conflicts and personal issues begin to surface. The film poses questions like: Why does Nageswara Rao want to sell the house? Does he succeed? And how does this journey transform the family? The answers to these questions unfold as the story progresses.
Plus Points:
The film’s narrative has the potential to resonate with middle-class audiences, offering moments of genuine emotion and thoughtful dialogues. VK Naresh delivers a strong performance as a father determined to keep his family united, effectively portraying various emotions.
Veteran comedienne Sri Lakshmi also shines in her role, while Rag Mayur and Priya Vadlamani are convincing as siblings. The film includes light-hearted comedy. The vibrant visuals and acceptable production values contribute positively to the overall experience.
Minus Points:
Despite its promising premise, the film struggles with pacing and execution. While it starts off well, the story gradually loses momentum, particularly in the second half, which feels drawn out with unnecessary scenes.
The director misses the mark in blending comedy and emotion seamlessly, resulting in an experience that could have been more engaging.
Characters like Rag Mayur, Priya Vadlamani, and Sri Lakshmi could have been developed further to make their arcs more relatable, especially for middle-class audiences.
The climax delivers a meaningful message, but by that point, the slow pacing and underwhelming subplots, such as uninteresting romantic angles, diminish its impact.
Technical Aspects:
Director Anurag Palutla’s vision for a relatable family drama is commendable, but the execution falls short. Ankur C’s cinematography is visually appealing, but the editing by Naresh Adupa and Hari Shankar TN could have been tighter to maintain a better pace. RH Vikram’s music is decent, though fewer songs might have enhanced the overall flow. The production values are adequate.
Verdict:
On the whole, Veeranjaneyulu Vihara Yatra has a nice story idea but falters in execution, with slow pacing and unnecessary scenes affecting the film’s impact. While VK Naresh and the supporting cast deliver acceptable performances, the film’s emotional connection doesn’t fully resonate, making it a less compelling watch. It is better to explore other entertainment options this weekend.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team