‘Godfather’ film assessment: An unabashed fanboy tribute to Chiranjeevi that works in components

The Telugu movie Godfather, starring Chiranjeevi, Nayanthara, Satyadev Kancharana and Salman Khan in a visitor look, is director Mohan Raja’s eighth remake. The director is conscious that the supply materials, Malayalam movie Lucifer starring Mohanlal, was an unabashed fanboy tribute to the star by actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran. Mohan Raja takes the broad define of Lucifer together with a few of its key parts and does a fanboy tribute to Chiranjeevi. Godfather is shorter (157 minutes) than Lucifer (174 minutes) and likewise unapologetic about pandering to the lead actor’s fan base. 

The State’s chief minister named PKR passes away and a battle for succession ensues. PKR’s daughter Satyapriya (Nayanthara) is just not eager on being the political inheritor however her husband Jaidev (Satyadev Kancharana) eyes the chief minister’s put up. Additionally nursing his ambitions for the chair is PKR’s former aide, minister Varma (Murali Sharma). The one who can foil all their plans is Brahma (Chiranjeevi), the kingmaker who’s loathed by Satyapriya for causes that return to her childhood.

The broad storyline includes clashes between Brahma and Jaidev and the story brings in a handful of different characters whose loyalties aren’t what they appear to be. These characters performed by Sunil, Shafi and Brahmaji hold the proceedings attention-grabbing. Different characters embody Puri Jagannadh, an investigative journalist and Anasuya a tv information editor, each attempting to remain on the fitting facet of the ethical compass.

To Mohan Raja’s credit score, he is aware of the energy of the unique story however can also be conscious that the superhit Malayalam movie that has been broadly seen must be offered contemporary, quite than a frame-to-frame replica. He does away with one of many key characters from the unique movie, performed by Tovino Thomas. This provides the story extra room for Chiranjeevi, Nayanthara and Satyadev.

The movie rides on the shoulders of Chiranjeevi, who sports activities a salt and pepper look and is comfortable within the parts the place he must put forth a restrained portrayal because the highly effective kingmaker. The dialogues by Lakshmi Bhupal are on cue with out being verbose and assist to intensify the drama. Take as an illustration the now common strains by Chiranjeevi, ‘ nenu rajakeeyam nunchi dooramga unnanu, kaani rajakeeyam na nunchi dooram kaledu (I’m staying distant from politics, however politics doesn’t keep removed from me). 

Nevertheless, the characterisation of Brahma doesn’t maintain a lot intrigue because the movie progresses. Although there’s a supposed thriller about him, the difference strips away all gray shades. The ultimate scene involving Interpol officers is laughable. It’s this lack of nuance that stops the movie from rising above a loud fan-pleasing car. 

Satyadev will get a personality that’s as devious as a wolf in sheep’s clothes, and the actor revels in it. Within the scenes the place he crosses paths with Chiranjeevi or the showdown with Nayanthara, the actor almost walks away with the movie. Murali Sharma is enjoyable to observe as a scheming politician.

Nayanthara will get a meatier function than Manju Warrier within the authentic, and she or he is efficient because the stoic daughter and adamant girl who takes time to see issues for what they’re. She has to convey her emotional turbulence in a restrained method and she or he does it properly.

The unintentionally humorous parts contain Salman Khan in a visitor look; the motion parts that includes him with custom-made weapons by no means have the specified impact due to the poor visible results. He’s referred to as Masoom Khan and will get to shake a leg with Chiranjeevi. Music composer Thaman amps it up within the background rating and with the ’ Taar maar takkar maar’ track that includes the 2 actors, however the choreography felt underwhelming.

Godfather entertains in components when the political intrigue results in cat and mouse video games. It had the potential to be a gripping political drama however finally ends up as a kind of movies that may be loved solely when you don’t anticipate a lot from it.