Yagnam Telugu Movie

Feature Film | 2004
Critics:
Jul 12, 2004 By B. Anuradha, IANS


Living up to the high standards set by Eetharam Films, producer Pokuri Baburao turns out an entertaining film with an interesting theme in "Yagnam".


It tries to deliver the message that if henchmen stay away, faction feuds will come to an end in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.


Exposing faction leaders as cowards whose writ cannot run without the support of their henchmen, the film also cautions the latter to look for alternative jobs instead of living a life on the edge.


Debutant director Ravikumar Choudury fuses a good love story into this anger-driven film with a message.


Gopichand comes out with flying colours as the loyal henchman who revolts against his boss after falling in love with his daughter. Debutant Samira Banerji enacts the complex role of the daughter with élan.


Mani Sharma's background score elevates the tempo while one of his tunes, 'Chinnati chelikade', is a clear winner.


A laudable directorial touch is provided by a cut in a festival sequence, equating a henchman with a sacrificial goat.


The story begins with Samira, daughter of a feudal lord Devaraj, falling in love with a servant (young Gopichand). She always advises him to discard his anger.


In the course of time, he loses his parents in a bomb blast that was meant to kill Devaraj. In order to avenge the death of his parents, he becomes a henchman under Devaraj. He grows up to become a dreaded killer while Samira goes to the city for her education.


On her return, she expresses her love for him but he rejects it, citing his lowly status. After some time, however, Gopichand relents.


She elopes with him, but Devaraj gets his goons to bash up Gopichand and bring back his daughter. Soon, Gopichand comes back in search of his love.


Witnessing the inhuman treatment meted out by their boss and developing a feeling for the lovers, the henchmen help Gopichand and Samira to escape.


The henchmen, after various turns of events, join hands against Gopichand. But the grand finale comes with Prakash Raj, who appears in an interesting cameo of a police officer, advises the henchmen to give up their way of life and make a living out of hard work.

B. Anuradha, IANS

   

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