Rating : 2.5/5
Naresh and Pavitra Lokesh, a popular celebrity couple, have recently made their relationship official, garnering significant attention from the public. Their latest film, “Malli Pelli,” directed by veteran filmmaker M.S. Raju, has been generating buzz due to its striking similarities to their personal lives. The movie was released today, and let’s delve into its review.
Story:
The protagonist, Narendra (played by Naresh), is a renowned Telugu actor who possesses immense wealth but lacks peace of mind due to his failed marriages. He marries Soumya Sethupathi (portrayed by Vanitha Vijayakumar), but even this union fails to bring him solace. One day, while working on a film set, Narendra encounters Parvathy (played by Pavitra Lokesh), a popular Kannada actress. Gradually, Narendra develops feelings for Parvathy and expresses his love for her. However, Parvathy’s fear of media scrutiny becomes an obstacle in their relationship. The complexities they face while trying to be together form the core of the story.
Positive Aspects:
The director has chosen to narrate the story in chapters, which works effectively for the film. Notably, the chapter titled “The mistake,” focusing on Narendra and Soumya’s characters, is handled skillfully. As the movie revolves around two actors in a live-in relationship, their on-screen chemistry plays a crucial role. Fortunately, the lead actors excel in this aspect, and the film offers several enjoyable moments.
The casting of “Malli Pelli” is another strong point. Every actor delivers a superb performance, with Jayasudha, Annapoornamma, and Sarath Kumar leaving a lasting impression despite limited screen time. Naresh, known for his exceptional acting skills, shines in his lead role, complemented by Pavitra Lokesh’s outstanding performance that adds depth to the narrative. However, the standout performance comes from Vanitha Vijayakumar, who portrays Naresh’s wife with brilliance and steals the show. The film balances drama and fun in both halves, effectively engaging the audience.
Negative Aspects:
Given that the movie is based on the real-life events of Pavitra Lokesh and Naresh, it runs the risk of facing severe backlash from individuals who identify themselves with the characters depicted in the film. It is unclear to what extent the events portrayed are accurate versus fictionalized. Although the film provides entertainment and drama, some viewers might find it offensive.The flashback portion of Parvathy’s character feels prolonged and becomes tedious, affecting the overall pacing of the film. While the first half offers good moments, the second half falters with the introduction of this backstory, hampering the flow. Additionally, the slow pace of the movie, despite its relatively short runtime of 130 minutes, might make it feel lengthy. More concise editing could have improved the viewing experience. The film’s nature might also provoke negative reactions from certain audience segments, especially those uninterested in the personal lives of Naresh and Pavitra.
Technical Aspects:
The music directors, Suresh Bobbili and Aruldev, have done a commendable job with well-composed songs and a fitting background score. Bal Reddy’s cinematography enhances the film’s visual appeal, lending it a rich and polished look. The dialogues are well written and sensible, contributing to the overall quality of the film. The production values are high, but the editing could have been tighter.
In terms of the writing and direction, M.S. Raju has done a decent job in presenting his intended story. However, the film’s nature, being based on the real lives of Naresh and Pavitra, might frustrate some viewers, who will question the accuracy of the depicted events.
