Saakshyam review by jeevi - Telugu cinema review - Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivasa, Pooja Hegde
Saakshyam jeevi review
 First look launch
Punchline: Strictly for masses
Cast: Bellamkonda Sai Srinivasa, Pooja Hegde, Jagapathi Babu, Sarath Kumar, Meena, Vennela Kishore, Ravi Kishan, Ashuthosh Rana, Madhu Guruswami, Lavanya Jayaprakash, Pavitra Lokesh, Brahmaji, Posani Krishna Murali, Kasi Viswanath, Jhansi .etc
Cinematographer: Arthur A Wilson
Story, Screenplay & Direction: Sriwass
Vishwa (Bellamkonda Srinivas) is born to a rich and righteous landlord in a village. The entire family is killed by the family of Muniappa (Jagapathi Babu and co). Vishwa escapes miraculously with the help of a calf. He is later adopted by an NRI businessman (Jayaprakash) from New York. Muniappa makes sure that there is no witness to the murder he committed. Rest of the story is all about how all elements come together to serve karma to Muniappa through Vishwa.
Actors: Bellamkonda Srinivas is growing as an actor and star from film to film. He is excellent in action sequences and danced energetically. However, he need to improve his diction and dialogue delivery. His diction lacks variation. Pooja Hegde fulfills her part as a glamorous heroine. Sarath Kumar excels in a brief role. Jaya Prakash is becoming monotonous for such father roles. Jagapathi Babu is good as usual. This film has three more villains in the form of Ashutosh Rana, Ravi Kishan and Madhu Guruswamy. Vennela Kishore is okay. Rao Ramesh has a brief yet vital role. Writer Ananth Sriram performed well as Valmiki, but looks awkward on screen.
Story - screenplay - direction: The basic concept of karma catching up is very good. Director Sriwass has written the story in such a way that it caters to the masses well. The take off is very good. The story has all ingredients of a blockbuster film. Karma concept is good. The hero doesn’t know who the villains are. Villains think that they have killed hero. The character of Ananth Sriram as Valmiki who designs a video game which reflects the reality is also a fascinating factor. Despite having such support from script, director Sriwass didn’t fully utilise it to make an universal film. Except for the concept, the narration in the film is ordinary. Director Sriwass missed out on one aspect as a writer. Hero comes from a rich family and escapes from death in childhood, but is brought up by another rich family from New York. It would have been nice, if he were brought up by a poor couple (like Sivudu character in Baahubali). The director has symbolically used one element each to kill each of four villains, but left out the element of space as it’s not possible to kill somebody with space.
Other departments: Music scored by Harshavardhan Rameshwar is good and background music is also good in action episodes. Cinematography by Arthur A Wilson is rich. Dungu Dungu song that comes prior to interval is very creative (choreography and art direction point of view). Art direction by AS Prakash is very good. Dialogues written by Sai Madhav Burra are excellent, but there are too many repetitive dialogues (like Ye Dikku Leni Vaadiki Devude Dikku. I first observed this dialogue in Sri Anjaneyam film that is told only once and very effectively). Action sequences choreographed by Peter Heins are good. Production scale and quality of the film is excellent.
Analysis: Saakshyam is a large canvas film with a different concept and an innovative use of Karma and nature’s elements. The movie starts off really well with high energy killing sequence and hero riding on calf. However, hero’s NRI backdrop and love track are not interesting enough. Valkmiki character offers variety and killing sequences are executed well. The director missed a great chance to make an universally likable blockbuster, but the final product still has enough elements to work well with the masses.
>>>>>>>>>>> End of Saakshyam Review