Adinetha offers nothing new

Adinetha is a film of the times, specific to the political scenario, more so with the elections currently on. Director V Samudra perhaps had this in mind while scripting, helming and releasing his Telugu film Adinetha.

"I will change the meaning of politics," says Suryanarayana (Jagapathi Babu), the lead protagonist of the film. One does have the wishful thinking that politicians learn a lesson or two from this character. But that's as far as it goes.

The film as such is full of rhetoric (much like what our leaders do), touches on issues like corruption (nothing new), sermonises to a large extent and rather utopian towards the climax. The director may have had the good intention of bringing to the fore the deeds (and misdeeds) of the political leaders.  He projects Suryanarayana to be a common man, an  untainted, fearless, un-corrupt and straightforward man who would rise to the occasion. It unfortunately is bringing forth an old story on to the screen and one which is rather tedious and tepid in the final analysis, despite good intentions.

Suryababu (Suryanarayana) hails from the rural area and is unemployed. He can't stand injustice and is forever fighting for justice. He is fearless and honest and has all the attributes of a politician. Since he is good for nothing, no girl wants to marry him. His maternal uncle's daughter rejects him on that count. Her taunts motivate Suryababu to do something with his life.

With his parents' and MLA Sriramulu (Parachuri Gopalakrishna) help, he becomes the secretary to the Chief Minister Tirupati Rayudu (Ahuti Prasad) -- an unimaginable jump. At the CM's peshi he is a good samaritan and gets a lot of good work done for the people, like getting loans sanctioned, organising medical help etc, and earns the goodwill of the people. He helps Rajeshwari (Shraddha Das) get her medical education sponsored. When he uses the money from the CM's exchequer for all this, the CM huffs and puffs that he's spending money instead of bringing in money.

Of course there's a rivalry angle too in the form of the youngest brother of the local goon Mahender. He is close to the CM and gets embroiled with Suryababu after he rapes and kills his friend's sister.   

Then the tryst occurs. Sriramulu is finished off by Mahendar and the CM when he challenges to prove their misdeeds. Suryababu is forced to promise Sriramulu that he would carry on the struggle. And thus Suryababu enters politics.

The the scene is familiar. Speeches, campaigns, elections, money power, horse trading and what have you. There's even a hung assembly. By quirk of fate, Suryababu becomes the Chief Minister and then takes up the cause of the poor, particularly the peasants. The ex-CM Rayudu plots to de-throne Suryababu as well as murder him.

The whole film has nothing new in terms of info. So it's a replay on screen of the events that we see in real life barring the far-fetched climax. The length is also a deterrent. Samudra introduces preachy dialogues.

A point to be noted is this: in India no CM wears hip blazers and trousers the way a debonair Suryanarayana does!  For Jagapathi Babu, the role is a cakewalk. He just breezes through it. Shraddha Das is more for the glamour quotient, while Hamsanandini at least impresses with her fights.

Adinetha is a tad preachy, lengthy and utopian to watch. It is for Jagapathi Babu's fans and for those who don't mind seeing the real political drama being enacted on reel!

Rediff Rating: