Maharshi Movie Review

T360 Rating — 2.75/5

Superstar Mahesh Babu’s silver jubilee film Maharshi is easily the most eagerly awaited biggie of the season. Sensible filmmaker Vamshi Paidipalli waited for nearly two years to direct this film which is touted to be a social drama laced with commercial elements.

Let’s see if Mahesh Babu continues his success streak in Summer after Srimanthudu and Bharat Ane Nenu with Maharshi. Here is the first review on net.

Story :

Rishi (Mahesh babu) is an extremely talented youngster who has big dreams about his career. In final semester of M.Tech, Rishi gets selected for an MNC, moves to work in USA. In a short span, he becomes the CEO of a company named ‘Origin’. At this point, Rishi comes to know about the situation of his college mate and close friend Ravi (Allari Naresh) who secretly sacrificed his career for Rishi in past. Rishi wants to help Ravi, joins his fight against an Oil corporation giant in a rural Godavari region. Rest of the film is about how Rishi fights against the problems faced by the villagers.

Analysis:

First half of the film is decent. Here the director is able to elevate Mahesh babu as a college student and CEO. As younger Rishi, Mahesh Babu is energetic in his college life scenes. Mahesh excels as a college student and one wonders why Mahesh has shied away from doing these roles till now. To reflect a CEO’s lifestyle, many shots have been picturized in the backdrop of Manhattan Skyline. Mahesh’s friendship with Pooja ( Pooja Hegde) , Ravi ( Allari Naresh) has come out well. Interval episodes are emotional. Then onwards the trouble starts..

Since this is Mahesh Babu’s milestone ( 25th) film , ‘ Maharshi’ team appear to be chosen a script with social cause as the main theme. In such films, first the conflict point must be strong enough and victims’ struggle should be effectively narrated to elevate the Hero’s subsequent helping hand. In this film director Vamsi Paidipally had tried to take Koratala Siva’s path but ended up as ineffective inspiration from the latter’s previous hits like Srimanthudu. Taking out USA and college scenes, movie is just a rehash of Srimanthudu and Bharat Ane Nenu (press meet scenes). One wonders what got Mahesh babu so excited about this script as it is just a rehash of all appealing scenes from his past movies.

Hero Rishi’s journey has three variations as a student, as a CEO and the third one as to help the farmers in India. The inspirational attitude of Younger Rishi is good, the characterization of CEO is unreal and the last variation is partly good, partly boring. Jagapathi Babu’s Villainy is ineffective.

Whole narrative of Rishi coming to village and sitting under trees seems trivial. As a CEO of a MNC, realistically no one can have luxury to take an indefinite leave. Second half until pre-climax has been dragged with slow pace. Initially Rishi tries to help the Villagers who are displaced because of Oil Company, suddenly switches to the farmers’ issue in the climax. Though both are the villagers’ problems, they are very contrast subjects. Pre-Climax ,Padara Padara Song, Climax are good and rescue the film to an extent.

Songs are Okay on the screen but they doesn’t have stuff to commercially enhance the range of the film

On technical side Sound design, background score are of excellent quality. Music director Devi Sri Prasad and Sound recording team has done fabulous job. Cinematography is another major asset. Director and Editor should take the blame for running this film for three hours.

Production values are of top grade but the production cost may not be as much as hyped. Entire second half has been shot in a village set, under a tree! In first half, except the CEO Life Style visuals we won’t find many high budget required scenes.

Performances

Superstar Mahesh Babu is at his best in younger Rishi role, looked ravishing as CEO. However performance wise, his signature scenes are amiss. Pooja Hegde did her job well, looked beautiful as well. While Allari Naresh is impressive, Jagapathi Babu has been wasted. Prakash Raj, Jayasudha , Sai Kumar like seasoned artists are there but no good scenes for them to perform

Positives:

• Younger Rishi Character
• First half college scenes
• Interval Emotional scenes
• Pre-Climax, Climax scenes
• Appreciable social cause theme

Negatives:

• Story (A rehash of Mahesh previous films)
• Flat narration in the second half and no emotional connect
• Three hour runtime
• Superficial solution to the villagers and farmers’ problems

Verdict:

Maharshi is a milestone for Mahesh which should be appreciated as a Good attempt, but might leave fans wanting for more.First half the film is decent, second half is slow paced one until pre-climax. Decent climax, pre-climax scenes come to the rescue of the film to an extent. Given the summer season and no competition, movie might get some eyeballs.

T360 Rating — 2.75/5

******

Release Date : 09th May, 2019
Director : Vamsi Paidipally
Music Director : Devi Sri Prasad
Choreography : K. U. Mohanan
Producer : Sri Venkateswara Creations, Vyjayanthi Movies, PVP Cinema
Starring : Mahesh Babu, Pooja Hegde