Pournami Telugu Movie
Pournami is an honest attempt to make a good period film on the part of the crew that made the super hit movie, Nuvvu Vastanante Nenu Vaddantana. The difference in the genres not withstanding, the temptation to compare NVNV with Pournami is irresistible simply because both are directed by Prabhu Deva and produced by M S Raju. Prabhu Deva was at his creative best in NVNV. His brilliance in direction is again felt in Pournami, only in flashes. NVNV had love as the main theme, while Pournami has three parallel themes: love, revenge and dance. Struggling to balance three parallel themes, Prabhu Deva has ignored to add meat to comedy in Pournami. Comedy added a lot of strength to the script of NVNV and the viewers enjoyed the laugh-a-minute scenes. To back up the solo theme of love in NVNV, there were melodious songs that people liked instantly.
The songs of Pournami on the other hand don’t impress on the first hearing, but it slowly starts appealing after repeated hearing. While NVNV dwelt on the minutes and nuances of the shots, Pournami rolls generally. So, sadly Pournami is nowhere near NVNV, not even in the horizon.
Moreover, the picture is not going to go down well with the audience, as there are very few who would back movies that espouses the cause of women’s classical dance. More so when a movie basing on dance doesn’t care to go for well-trained dancers. Charmme and Trisha may be good dancers but the movie could have done better with dancers of the caliber of Sobhana or Bhanupriya. May be a totally new face or two, who are perfect dancers could have lifted the quality of the movie several notches up. Is Prabhu Deva scratching is head on hindsight now?
But it’s a movie worth watching for the honest attempt made by the crew and cast to present a period movie with a theme that nobody would dare to touch these days. All said and done, producer M S Raju has taken a bold initiative to give a different kind of movie to the viewers without sticking to the beaten path. That is quite laudable. He succeeds even if the movie fails. Prabhu Deva has ably directed in making a period film minus any bloomers. The attention to details like the currency notes used, the cars, musical instruments and the costume all speak highly of the director. The rock and roll dance numbers of Pournami would prompt anyone to hit the dance floor in any pub or restaurant.
Though the story meanders from dance to love, love to revenge, revenge to love again, and from love again to dance and finally end in love, Prabhas has given an impeccable performance. How can he help it if people like M S Raju and Prabhu Deva can’t figure out things? Charmme and Trisha have done their bit to perfection, however the nagging doubt regarding their classical dancing abilities linger.
Dharmavarapu, Sunil and AVS all have very small parts that fails to bring out their talents at regaling the audience. Even a talented actor like Tanikela Bharani doesn’t get much scope. A little focus on these characters could have eased the over exposure of Prabhas.
Still, the bottom line is: this film is worth watching. Everybody who is part of this film has put in sincere effort that needs the support of the audience. The brave effort of the producer should not go unsupported. Lastly give Prabhu Deva a break and don’t expect super hits every time from him. Keep your expectations low and you will enjoy Pournami.
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