Cheliyaa Review

Cast: Karthi, Aditi Rao Hydari, KPAC Lalitha, Rukmini Vijaykumar, Delhi Ganesh, RJ Balaji

Direction: Mani Ratnam

Music Composer: AR Rahman

Producer: Mani Ratnam & Shirish

Genre: Romantic Thriller

Mani Ratnam's Kaatru Veliyidai dubbed as Cheliyaa in Telugu has hit the marquee on Friday. Ratnam's last film Ok Bangaram was an above average score. Will this film be able to help Ratnam to regain his success.

Story:

Varun (Karthi) is an Air Force pilot who is posted in Srinagar and his lady love Dr. Leela Abraham (Aditi Rao Hydari) is also posted in the same location. Varun encounters Leela at a military hospital after being met with an accident, and gets treated by the latter. During this process, the cupid strikes between the duo. All this was the flashback shown to the audience in Varun's vision.

The movie is set in the backdrop of Kargil war and the hero is held captive by Pakistani armed forces. As being war captive he recalls his love with Leela. Varun is shown as possessive lover and despite knowing his nature, Leela loves him selflessly. But over the span of time the duo develop differences. What forms the crux of the story is how Varun escapes from prison and tries to amend himself to win over his love.

Positives:

Ratnam has chosen the best cast and technical team to give a finesse movie. The love story set in the backdrop of war, albeit seen in many movies but it doesn’t gives a monotonous feel. The locales have been shot excellently and lens man Ravi Varman did a stupendous job in freezing the beautiful locales of Kashmir. Although it's a dubbed film but dialogues by Kiran and lyrics by Sirivennela fits the bill perfectly. Aditi has subtly expressed emotions and Karthi is in never seen before avatar.

Negatives:

The first half of the film goes well, while the second half is sluggish with slow narration. The filmmaker has presented the film in a poetic style with a love story having imperfections, on part of hero who has flaws. The story may not be imbibed by all as everything is not as sweet as portrayed in other love stories.

Verdict:

An intense love story with flaws. Either you sync with it or find it alien to the story.