Pellaindi..Kaani is watchable

Veteran director EVV Satyanarayana proves yet again that he is a good storyteller. As usual he picks up a subject that would gel well with his favourite audience--women.

Several of his flicks were a big hit with the women audience, and this time too, he plays on family sentiments.

But he does not harp on family values with long-winding dialogue. Instead he gives some unexpected twists to the script which makes for interesting viewing. Most importantly, there is a flow to the story. Plus he combines comedy very well to keep boredom at bay.

The film is set in a village. Here the picturesque Godavari and the breathtaking countryside are well captured.

The story is about a widowed mother, Bhanupriya and her only son Acchibabu (Naresh) who is mentally unstable following an accident. The woman is stinking rich and naturally a couple of scheming brothers want to usurp her wealth. Some of her well wishers advise her to get Acchibabu married off.

So the hunt for the right girl begins and ends in Gayatri (Kamalini Mukherjee) who needs money for her father's heart surgery. But the hitch is that she is already in love. Her lover who is jobless convinces her to get into the wedlock and the marriage is performed.

EVV stays clear of mindless action and absurd fight sequences. In fact it is surprising to note that though he was directing his son Naresh, there was never an attempt to showcase him as an action hero. Naresh is still trying to find his niche. Though he started off as a comic hero, Naresh is found experimenting with other kind of roles and he does a good job here. The surprise package in the film is veteran hero Harish who returns after a very long hiatus. He and Kamalini Mukherjee along with Bhanupriya have done their job. Kamalini looks refreshing.

Comedy is EVV's forte and he depends heavily on it to push the film forward. He packs in a punch with one-liners that are quite delightful, but as is his wont, he is unable to do away with the double entendres here and there.

Comedian Sunil gets a major chunk in this film. His comedy is good. Even the villains are comical (Kota Srinivasa Rao and Krishna Bhagawan).

EVV is also known for introducing some typical characters that could be seen in rural Andhra. This time around he ropes in the anchor of the popular crime watch programme aired on TV9. And this guy gets a full-length role. A couple of songs shot in the Kashmir valley showcase the picturesque locations.

A sentimental film, that may not appeal to the urban audience, but might do well in B and C centres.

A watchable film.

Rediff Rating: