Raj Tarun’s ‘Bhale Unnade’ : Review – Good concept, poor execution

Film Title: Bhale Unnade

Release Date: September 13, 2024

Rating: 2.5/5

Cast: Raj Tarun, Manisha Kandkur, Singeetham Srinivasrao, Abhirami Gopikumar, VTV Ganesh, and others

Director: Sivasai Vardhan

Producer: N.V. Kiran Kumar

Music: Shekar Chandra

Cinematographer: Nagesh Banell

Editor: Srikanth Patnaik

Telugu actor Raj Tarun has released his third movie in just two months, following Purushothamudu and Thiragabadara Saami. His latest, Bhale Unnade, hit theaters today. Let’s delve into the review to see how it fares.

Story:

Radha (Raj Tarun), a gifted saree drapist from Visakhapatnam, has an unusual trait – he never touches women. His mother, Gowri (Abhirami), works in a bank with Krishna (Manisha Kandkur), who dislikes Radha without realizing that he is her secret admirer. Once the truth comes out, the two fall in love and get engaged. However, Krishna soon becomes suspicious of Radha’s behavior around women and starts doubting their relationship. Why does Radha avoid touching women? Will Krishna leave him? What is Radha hiding, and how will his mother respond? The film answers these questions.

Positive Aspects:

Raj Tarun’s character is a refreshing departure from his usual roles. He brings a subtle yet effective performance to the screen, playing a more grounded, introspective character.

Abhirami excels as Radha’s modern mother, bringing warmth and emotional depth, especially in the flashback scenes. Following her strong performance in Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, she continues to impress.

The comedic elements, particularly from VTV Ganesh and Hyper Adi, offer some fun moments. A few engaging scenes between the lead pair in the second half provide lighthearted entertainment.

Negative Aspects:

The film’s core concept has potential, but the director’s execution leaves much to be desired. The protagonist’s strange behavior around women is never fully explained, leaving audiences confused even after the movie ends. The backstory involving Radha and his mother, while introduced, fails to provide sufficient clarity.

Manisha Kandkur’s over-the-top portrayal of Krishna detracts from the film. Her hyperactive persona feels jarring and disrupts the tone of the story.

Despite the presence of veterans like Singeetham Srinivas Rao and Leela Samson, their roles have minimal impact and could have been better developed.

Many sequences, particularly the comedic bits involving Racha Ravi in the second half, lack focus and do little to move the plot forward.

Technical Aspects:

While Sivasai Vardhan’s direction shows promise, his inconsistent storytelling weakens the overall experience. The film could have benefitted from tighter narration and more coherent backstory development.

On the technical front, Nagesh Banell’s cinematography provides visually appealing moments. However, the music by Shekar Chandra doesn’t quite leave an impression, and Srikanth Patnaik’s editing could have been crisper. The film’s production values are, however, solid.

Verdict:

In conclusion, Bhale Unnade offers an intriguing concept but is let down by weak execution. While Raj Tarun and Abhirami deliver strong performances, the film’s flawed narration, unengaging comedy, and poorly written characters detract from the overall experience. For those seeking entertainment this weekend, there may be better options available.