Young actor Kartikeya presents the comedy-drama “Bedurulanka 2012,” directed by Clax, which has garnered significant pre-release promotion. The movie stars the recent sensation Neha Sshetty as the female lead. Released today, let’s delve into its content.
Plot:
Set in the fictional village of Bedurulanka in the year 2012, the film delves into themes of greed and human behavior. Bhushanam (Ajay Ghosh) and his gang exploit the fears surrounding the potential apocalypse on December 21, 2012. Shiva (Kartikeya), a native of the village, takes a stand against their manipulative tactics. Assisted by his friends and his love interest Chitra (Neha Sshetty), Shiva aims to unveil Bhushanam and his gang’s true intentions. The core of the story lies in Shiva’s mission to expose their deceitful schemes.
Highlights:
The film conveys a valuable message—depicting how fraudulent spiritual leaders exploit people’s innocence for personal gain. The inclusion of the apocalypse concept enhances this narrative, making the proliferation of such godmen more believable. The initial half-hour effectively captures the satirical humor characteristic of the Godavari region.
Kartikeya delivers a commendable performance, leveraging his comedic timing to great effect. His character development is well-executed. Initially portraying a carefree youth, Kartikeya’s character later assumes the responsibility of rescuing villagers from the clutches of these spiritual leaders. Neha Sshetty performs well as a rural belle, sharing strong chemistry with Kartikeya.
The movie concludes on a high note. The villagers, urged by the protagonist to live honestly before the apocalypse, exhibit uninhibited and lively behavior, portrayed in a delightfully eccentric manner. Ajay Ghosh, Srikanth Iyengar, Rajkumar Kasireddy, and Auto Ramprasad contribute to the film’s tongue-in-cheek humor in various scenes.
Drawbacks:
Although the film starts on an intriguing note, its storytelling lacks consistency. Certain portions in the first half veer off track, diminishing the overall impact. Trimming these extraneous scenes could have improved the pacing.
The interval is satisfactory, but the subsequent scenes are disappointing and poorly executed, leading to a somewhat tedious phase. Despite occasional one-liners, the chaos experienced by people during the apocalypse could have been depicted more effectively.
The drama in the middle segments becomes convoluted, dampening the overall experience. The final song falls short, briefly disrupting the film’s flow. LB Sriram’s role could have been better utilized.
Technical Aspects:
Mani Sharma’s background score aligns with the film’s theme. Among the songs, “Vennello Aadapilla” stands out. Cinematographers Sai Prakash Ummadisingu and Sunny Kurapati beautifully capture the essence of the fictional village. The editing could have been tighter. The production values meet expectations.
Regarding debutant director Clax, his choice of subject is intriguing, and he attempts to present it in an entertaining manner. While the beginning and end engage the audience, the middle segment disappoints. The film’s strength lies in its concept, setting, and performances. Although the subject has potential, it isn’t fully harnessed.
Overall:
In summary, “Bedurulanka 2012” offers an intriguing premise with intermittent moments of enjoyment. Kartikeya, Ajay Ghosh, and Srikanth Iyengar deliver noteworthy performances. While the central concept is compelling, its execution is uneven. The movie’s commencement and conclusion are commendable, but the middle part falters due to inconsistent storytelling. Additionally, a shorter runtime could have benefitted the film. If you can overlook these shortcomings, it’s worth a watch.