Review-in-pics: Allu Arjun's Badrinath

Cast: Allu Arjun, Tamanna, Prakash Raj, Kelly Dorje, Rao Ramesh and others
Credits: Screenplay, direction – VV Vinayak, Cinematography – S Ravi Varman, Story – Chinni Krishna, Music – M M Keeravani, Producer – Allu Aravind
Banner: Geetha Arts
Released on: June 10, 2011

Allu Arjun's new movie Badrinath had ‘blockbuster' written all over it. Well before release, expectations were raised by sheer hype and publicity. Does Badrinath live up to it? Read on.

The movie begins on a promising note. Badri (Allu Arjun) is a disciple of Bheeshma (Prakash Raj), a martial arts guru. Badrinath grows up into a strong fighter under Bheeshma's rigorous training and is groomed to be the 'kshetra palakudu' (protector) of the Badrinath temple.

Alakananda (Tamanna) comes to Badrinath with her grandfather. She is under threat from Sarkar (Kelly Dorje). Alakananda turns a devotee and falls for Badri. Bheeshma meanwhile is grooming Badri to be his successor. For that Badri has to remain a bachelor forever…

The visuals in the film are splendid. But beautiful sceneries cannot mask the predictable storyline.

The martial arts training which Badri undergoes looks simple and easily doable – none of the scenes are awe-inspiring.

The heroine's side of the story is revealed through silly flashbacks, which become the focus of the story till the intermission.

In between there is a bizarre fight sequence where Badri kills terrorists with his sword. He simply evades their bullets with a swing of his sword. The second half starts on a dull note with hardly any engaging scenes. Song after song follows with a heavily censored fight sequence in between. The film heads to climax with literally nothing happening post interval. The climax itself is a big letdown.

The film is set in modern times and that is a huge disconnect. Even when hundreds of people get killed there is no sign of the police anywhere. The hero goes on a killing rampage on a railway station and there are no policemen in the picture!

Allu Arjun makes no effort to get into the skin of his character. Tamanna adds nothing except glamour. Prakash Raj wears bad make up. Except for a couple of grand songs, the film has nothing else to offer.