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NTR Kathanayakudu Movie Review


Release date : January 09, 2019

Starring : Balakrishna, Vidya Balan,Kalyan Ram, Sumanth, Rana Daggubati

Director : Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi

Producers : Balakrishna, Sai Korrapati

Music Director : M.M Keeravaani

Cinematographer : Gnana Shekar V.S

Editor : Rama Krishna Arram

NTR Kathanayakudu is one of the most awaited biopics in the history of Telugu cinema. Based on the life of legendary NTR, the first part has hit the screens today amidst huge pre-release buzz. Let’s see whether the film lives up to all expectations or not.

Story:

The story of the first part is based on the life of Rama Rao(Balakrishna) who leaves his job and decides to become an actor. He is ably supported by his wife Tarakam(Vidya Balan) and very soon, Rama Rao makes it big and becomes a top star in the industry. But there is more life ahead for Rama Rao as destiny has other plans and makes him take the political route. How does he manage all of it and to know how much of it is showcased in the first part, one needs to watch the film on the big screen.

Plus Points :

Probably, Balakrishna was destined to play his father on screen and boy, he has done just a mind-blowing job as NTR. You only feel as if you are seeing NTR himself on screen as NBK looks apt as the legendary actor in the second half. One can say that it is Balakrishna’s best performance to date as the star actor has lived in the role of NTR. Be it Balayya’s body language, or facial expression, he has got everything right and is a treat for all Nandamuri fans.

Many might have wondered why Vidya Balan opted to do a Telugu film. But she breathes life into the role of Basavatarakam. Vidya Balan proves why she is a national award-winning actress and gelled so well with Balayya and the manner in which she evokes chemistry with him is just superb. The emotions that she portrays through her silence speaks a thousand words and is the big pillar in the film.

Krish has selected characters in such a way that everyone is just class personified. Sumanth plays the mighty ANR and he is very good on screen. His onscreen chemistry with NTR and how those scenes are narrated by Krish is reminiscent of the good old days and Sumanth needs a special mention.

The way NTR’s rise an actor is showcased beautifully by Krish and Balakrishna relives all the iconic characters of NTR in a good way. The manner in which Kalyan Ram plays Hari Krishna looks neat.

Minus Points:

Length

Slows down at some parts

Technical Aspects:

Krish has so much story to tell because there are two important phases in the life of NTR. It is not easy to squeeze in everything  into a three hour film, which is why it is divided into two parts. Krish’s work is very impressive in bringing the most celebrated actor’s life on to screen. He didn’t miss out on real life drama in NTR’s life in spite of showcasing many important movies and roles that he played on screen. Krish’s direction is particularly impressive in dramatic scenes.

Songs are restricted to the background and it is Keeravani’s background score that elevates the drama. Cinematography is terrific. The way the cinematographer played with the shadows and dark lit backgrounds is a treat to watch. Editing is strictly okay as there are a few lags that would have been edited out. Dialogues by Sai Madhav are fabulous. Production design is clap worthy. Production values are splendid.

Verdict :

Analysis:

Krish should have worked on a screenplay where he could have fit both the political and film phases of NTR into one film. The real drama and challenges in NTR’s life comes in his political innings, which is not shown in the first part. This part completely focuses upon how NTR entered the film industry and how he attained stardom. It also showcases his concern for downtrodden people and his love towards Telugu pride.

The story begins with NTR’s wife recollecting memories of her husband while she has been admitted to a hospital. Although NTR’s talent was spotted by some of the top names in the industry, getting the first break didn’t come easy. He gets his first break with Pathala Bhairavi after going through initial hurdles and later takes some revolutionary decisions like making a movie on Ravana and also taking up direction.

All the scenes from classic movies like Gundamma Katha, Bandipotu, Mayabazar etc. are brought onto the screen with absolute conviction. Balakrishna looked too good in almost all the getups of NTR. But the real icing on the cake is Lord Sri Krishna’s getup, which is also one of the best scenes in the movie. There is one iconic scene that shows the actor’s dedication levels where trick photography is used to show ten heads of Ravana.

First half is enjoyable with nice family drama and beautifully recreated scenes from NTR’s classics. Second half shows NTR’s inclination towards social service and his initial revolt against North Indians treating Telugus as ‘Madarasis’. The best scene in the second half is where NTR challenges a police officer during emergency and takes away the prints of his film against the restrictions. We can expect more such dynamic episodes in NTR – Mahanayakudu. Later, the screenplay loses steam as the director focuses on events that were the reason for NTR’s decision to enter politics.

Too much melodrama and slow pace makes it somewhat tedious and the climax lacked the necessary high, but sets the tone for the second part that is due for release in a few weeks.

NTR Kathanayakudu is a fitting tribute to the biggest actor to have graced Telugu screens. Balakrishna lives in the role of NTR and gives Nandamuri fans a reason to rejoice. Terrific performances, honest portrayal of NTR and a good build-up for the second part are huge assets. If you ignore the slightly slower pace, the film ends as a good watch for the fans but the general audience will find the biopic a decent watch.

NTR Kathanayakudu LIVE UPDATES:

  • Movie done. Keep watching telugunow.com for complete review

  • The film comes to an end with NT Rama Rao announcing his political party.

  • A few scenes leading to the establishment of a political party are on now

  • The film now shifts gears to Politics. Rana has been introduced as CBN

  • Time for Rakul cameo for Vetagadu song follows by Sardar Paparayudu scenes.

  • Hansika entry as Jayaprada in Yamagola followed by a few heart-touching scenes during Divi Seema floods are going on

  • Shriya as Prabha in DVS Karna shoot …Karna shoot scenes going on

  • A good elevation scene on NTR for Annadammula Anubandham film is being narrated now

  • Post-interval scenes related to Narthanasala film are being showcased…

  • First Half Update: Kathanayakudu is Good. Without exaggeration / deviating from facts , director and team of NTR honestly stuck to the cine life of NTR !The last 10 minutes before interval is good. 

  • The film comes halfway. Break now

  • NTR’s first son Rama Krishna dies and some very touching emotional scenes going on

  • Iconic Dashakantha Ravana scene shoot for Seetha Rama Kalyanam is canned nicely. Balayya birth scene followed by superb comments on Balayya are feast for the fans. Now, Nithya Menen come into scene as Mahanati Savitri. Brahmanandam as ace comedian Relangi and heroine Pranitha as yesteryear actress Krishna Kumari.

  • NTR’s introduction scene as Lord Krishna from Mayabazaar is conveyed in an impressive manner.

  • Bhantureethi Koluvu song which showcases the beautiful relation between NTR and his wife Basavatarakam is on now

  • Jai kottu Telugoda song going on with funds raising for several palces in Rayalaseema which are hit by severe Drought . NTR is slowly gaining popularity among the common people

  • NTR signing contract for Vijaya Vauhini Studios banner. Prakash Raj come into secne as director Nagi Reddy. Murali Sharma as Chakrapani and Krish as Patala Bhairavi director Venkata Reddy

  • Hero Sumanth introduced as ANR. Scenes elevating the bonding between NTR and ANR are going on…

  • Inital struggles of NTR in the film industry are being showcased now in an emotional manner

  • NTR’s first picture Mana Desam shooting scenes are on now…

  • As showcased in the trailer, NTR resigns his job and starts to Madras to try his hand in the films. The entire sequence is narrated with Kathanayaka song playing is the background

  • NTR has been intoduced as an employee at Register office….a few scenes related it his job are going on

  • In 1984, the film opens at Adyar cancer institute…Kalyam Ram has been introduced as Harikrishna and Vidhya Balan as Basavatarakam. Now, the film shifts to 1947 time period. Balayya makes an entry as young NT Rama Rao

  • Hi…the film has just started and its duration is 171 minutes

NTR Kathanayakudu Complete Cast:

Nandamuri Balakrishna as N. T. Rama Rao
Vidya Balan as Basavatarakam
Nandamuri Kalyan Ram as Nandamuri Harikrishna
Rana Daggubati as Nara Chandrababu Naidu
Daggubati Raja as N. Trivikrama Rao
Bharath Reddy as Daggubati Venkateswara Rao
Rohit Bhardwaj as Nandamuri Ramakrishna
Surya Srinivas as Nandamuri Jayakrishna
Garapati Srinivas as Nandamuri Saikrishna
Vennela Kishore as Rukmanandha Rao
Poonam Bajwa as Garapati Lokeswari
Manjima Mohan as Nara Bhuvaneswari
Himanshi Choudary as Daggubati Purandeswari
Heroshini Komali.R as Kantamaneni Uma Maheshwari
Sachin Khedekar as N. Bhaskara Rao
Sumanth as Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Prakash Raj as Nagi Reddy
Brahmanandam as Relangi
Rakul Preet Singh as Sridevi
Satyanarayana as H. M. Reddy
Nithya Menen as Savitri
Pranitha Subhash as Krishna Kumari
Shriya Saran as Prabha
Hansika Motwani as Jaya Pradha
Shalini Pandey as Sowcar Janaki
Yashu Mashetty as S. Varalakshmi
Pratyusha as G. Varalakshmi
Payal Rajput as Jaya Sudha
Naresh as B. A. Subba Rao
Murali Sharma as Aluri Chakrapani
Krish as K. V. Reddy
Jisshu Sengupta as L. V. Prasad
Ravi Kishan as Ravikant Nagaich
Subhalekha Sudhakar as P. Pullaiah
S. V. Krishna Reddy as Kamalakara Kameswara Rao
Ravi Prakash as D. Yoganand
Vasu Inturi as Tatineni Prakash Rao
Chandra Siddhartha as Dasari Narayana Rao
Bhanu Chander as Inspector
Girish as Ramoji Rao
Eshwar Babu as S. V. Ranga Rao
Prakash Kovelamudi as K. Raghavendra Rao
N. Shankar as B. Vittalacharya
Devi Prasad as Gummadi
Srinivas Avasarala as D. V. Narasa Raju
Ramajogayya Sastry as C. Narayana Reddy
Sanjay Reddy as Pingali Nagendra Rao
Arjun Prasad as Marcus Bartley
Surabhi Jayachandra as T. V. Raju
Bhadram as Peketi Sivaram
K. Sivasankar as Vempati Chinna Satyam
Raghu Master as Saleem Master
Sai Madhav Burra as Peethambaram
Sunil Kumar Reddy as Kannappa
Sikindar as M. G. Ramachandran
Supriya Vinod as Indira Gandhi
Mirchi Madhavi as Nannapaneni Rajakumari

Release date : January 09, 2019 Starring : Balakrishna, Vidya Balan,Kalyan Ram, Sumanth, Rana Daggubati Director : Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi Producers : Balakrishna, Sai Korrapati Music Director : M.M Keeravaani Cinematographer : Gnana Shekar V.S Editor : Rama Krishna Arram NTR Kathanayakudu is one of the most awaited biopics in the history of Telugu cinema. Based on the life of legendary NTR, the first part has hit the screens today amidst huge pre-release buzz. Let’s see whether the film lives up to all expectations or not. Story: The story of the first part is based on the life of Rama Rao(Balakrishna) who leaves his job and decides to become an actor. He is ably supported by his wife Tarakam(Vidya Balan) and very soon, Rama Rao makes it big and becomes a top star in the industry. But there is more life ahead for Rama Rao as destiny has other plans and makes him take the political route. How does he manage all of it and to know how much of it is showcased in the first part, one needs to watch the film on the big screen. Plus Points : Probably, Balakrishna was destined to play his father on screen and boy, he has done just a mind-blowing job as NTR. You only feel as if you are seeing NTR himself on screen as NBK looks apt as the legendary actor in the second half. One can say that it is Balakrishna’s best performance to date as the star actor has lived in the role of NTR. Be it Balayya’s body language, or facial expression, he has got everything right and is a treat for all Nandamuri fans. Many might have wondered why Vidya Balan opted to do a Telugu film. But she breathes life into the role of Basavatarakam. Vidya Balan proves why she is a national award-winning actress and gelled so well with Balayya and the manner in which she evokes chemistry with him is just superb. The emotions that she portrays through her silence speaks a thousand words and is the big pillar in the film. Krish has selected characters in such a way that everyone is just class personified. Sumanth plays the mighty ANR and he is very good on screen. His onscreen chemistry with NTR and how those scenes are narrated by Krish is reminiscent of the good old days and Sumanth needs a special mention. The way NTR’s rise an actor is showcased beautifully by Krish and Balakrishna relives all the iconic characters of NTR in a good way. The manner in which Kalyan Ram plays Hari Krishna looks neat. Minus Points: Length Slows down at some parts Technical Aspects: Krish has so much story to tell because there are two important phases in the life of NTR. It is not easy to squeeze in everything  into a three hour film, which is why it is divided into two parts. Krish's work is very impressive in bringing the most celebrated actor's life on to screen. He didn't miss out on real…

NTR Kathanayakudu Review

Story - Screenplay - 3.5
Star Cast Performances - 4
Technicalities - 3.75
Direction - 4.25

3.9

NTR Kathanayakudu Review

NTR Kathanayakudu Review Rating

User Rating: 3.13 ( 6 votes)
4