Banam Movie Review

Film: Banam
Cast: Nara Rohith (debut film), Vedika, Ranadheer, Shayaji Shinde, Bhanuchander, Rajeev Kanakala, AVS, Shivanarayana, Ragini, Giridhar and others
Dialogues: Nagaraju Gandham
Music: Manisharma
Cinematography: Anil Bhandari
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Art: Bhupesh R Bhupati
Action: Ram-Laxman
Executive producer: K Saibaba
Produced by: Seshu Priyanka Chalasani
Banner: 3 Angels Studio
Story, screenplay and directed by: Chaitanya Dantaloori
Release Date: September 16, 2009
Rating:3.25/5
CBFC Rating: U/A

The film is set in 1989 at Ranasthali in Srikakulam district. Bhagat (Nara Rohith) is an idealistic youngster who aspires to become IPS officer, as he believes that only justice can be brought through ‘legal system’. His father is a Naxalite leader but ‘retires’ from the movement to spend time with his son. One day, Bhagat happens to see newly wed woman (Vedika) sitting at Railway Station alone and he comes to know from her that her in-laws sent her away to bring dowry. On the same day, her father dies, her in-laws reject her, and so he brings her to his home. Soon a local rowdy eyes on her that makes Bhagat to fight with him. In the melee, the rowdy dies and Bhagat goes to jail. On the other hand, several police offices try to contain the activities of the rowdy’s boss, Patnaik (Ranadheer), but couldn’t do so. How our hero Bhagat does it being within the ‘system’ forms the rest of the story.

Banam is a sensible movie. Niche audiences who like films with different approach and offbeat stories can like it. Although it starts off pretty promisingly and sets you up rather well, it fails to continue the same till the end. Debutant director Chaitanya should be commended for treading off the beaten track in narrating the movie and in selecting the story. Despite snail pace of the movie, first half arrests you and intrigues you. The director has tried to bring certain stylized depiction of heroism and scenes.

Climax scenes are pretty ordinary. The film is essentially about an idealistic guy who wants to cleanse the system. Question is: why should the film happen in 1989? What is so important about that period? Was it Naxalism? Even hero employing four police officers under training to cleanse the system is not told in convincing manner. Other than these faults, the film on the whole is sensible and a very good attempt. Nara Rohith’s look and his acting skills, some good locales, first half of the movie are interesting part of the film.

Performances

Nara Rohith, son of former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s brother, makes a very confident debut. He has good looks and his subtle acting (is it deliberate) is very impressive. At a time, all star sons and newcomers are debuting with a commercial film; Nara Rohith should be commended for choosing this offbeat film. Like Abhay Deol in Bollywood, he can be good choice for certain roles. He looks promising. Dialogue delivery is his strength.

Vedika in a Brahmin girl is okay. Looks like her role is created to show off hero’s idealistic nature than weaving a romantic thread. Shayaji Shinde’s role of a former Naxalite is poorly etched. Other actors are okay. Ranadhir as main villain does justice to his role

Technically, the film is very nice. Cinematography by Anil Bhandari (is he the same cameraman who did the shabby Mallepuvvu?) is excellent. The locales they have chosen (near Bobbili and Pollachi) also have brought freshness on to the screen. Dialogues by Gandham Nagaraju (of Gamyam fame) are poetic.

Art director has succeeded in recreating 80’s look. Even the director has intelligently created scenes like Shiva cycle chain scene, and a theatre showing Geetanjali film, to depict that period.

After a long time, Manisharma has given good music especially his background score is splendid. The song, Kadile Padam , has good lyrical value (Vanamali.). It is nice that debutant director Chaitanya Dantaloori has brought some realism into Telugu films at a time Tollywood increasingly falling into the trap of masala movies. He definitely seems to have innovative ideas but he needs to put it in more channelised way. His shot making style resembles to RGV’s. Though he lost his grip in the climax scenes, as a director he looks a promising talent. Producer Seshu Priyanka has good taste.

Finally

Banam is an offbeat film with sensible approach. Although it has its faults, it should be appreciated for attempting such films. Nara Rohith and director Chaitanya look promising. The film might be liked by niche audiences.