Venkatadri is an example of a movie where you walk inside the hall expecting nothing and walk out after two hours feeling exactly the same. It makes you wonder why the move was made in the first place given the lack of a script, performances or basic technical finesse. The entire movie revolves around Tarakratna who is there in 99% of the frames ….can’t blame him since the movie seems to be produced only to resurrect his non-existent career. Samudhra who had last directed the amateurish Mallepuvvu comes up with another dud to his (dis)credit!!!

What is it about : The story begins with the jailed Venkatadri Naidu (Tarakratna) organizing a music concert as his last wish before his scheduled hanging. At the concert, the CM’s daughter Baby (Mandeep) flips for him and campaigns for his release. As she pursues him with a vengeance, we are treated to his background story in a long flashback set in rural Rayalseema where a lot of blood is spilt over family feuds. So while Venkatadri ends up in jail for multiple murders, his rivals are still scheming to settle scores. The movie ends very very predictably in a violent bloody climax where the hero single-handedly massacres the bad guys and goes back to jail while the heroine decides to wait for him endlessly.

What is Good: Nothing to recommend in this department ...

What is bad : For a movie that is so completely centered on Tarakratna, he fails in delivering the required power-packed performance given the amateurish direction by Samudhra. As a character alternating between angry young man and a classical singer, he had the chance of coming up with a winner but that remains only a wish. The production values are very tacky esp. with the jerky editing and cinematography, unimaginative choreography and dull music. The music is a major letdown esp. when the audience is bombarded with songs at regular intervals.

Me Thinks : Give it a miss …

Tailpiece: Post his friendly appearance stint in Mallepuvvu where he hogged the footage, Samudhra wisely decides to stay behind the camera this time except for a brief appearance. Unfortunately, that decision did not really help in the direction!!!