Ram Charan Teja is back with the action drama flick ‘Naayak’. Should you catch this Telugu flick at the cinemas? Read on for the review…

What’s it about?
Cherry is a regular guy, working as a software professional. Jilebi (Brahmanandam) is Cherry's uncle and wants to get married. One such marriage proposal lands Jilebi and Cherry in trouble. During the same time, a series of murders happen in the city and Cherry is caught in the middle of the same too. How both incidents are connected to each other forms the rest of the story.

Ram Charan shows growth as a performer with this film. His comic timing has slightly improved and on the dances front, this is clearly his best among all his films so far.

Kajal and Amala Paul do what is expected of them - that is, to look glamorous.  Kajal looks gorgeous and she is a big asset in songs. Amala Paul is fine, although too much effort has been made for her to look sensuous and glamorous.

After the main leads, it’s the comedians’ show all the way. Brahmanandam is once again used to the fullest. His character Jilebi provides ample fun in the first half. His presence, along with M.S.Narayana and Jayaprakash Reddy, lightens up the proceedings. A similar effect is created by Posani Krishna Murali in the second half of the film.

Jaya Prakash Reddy deserves a special mention for his hilarious act. He elevated two sequences, one in first half and another one in second half before the final song, to new heights with his terrific timing.

Pradeep Rawat and Dev Gill do their acts as villains in a clinical way. Rajeev Kanakala performs adequately in the character given to him. Ashish Vidyardhi is adequate as well.

Director VV Vinayak sticks to his strength this time. He narrates a high voltage action entertainer, interlaced with comedy throughout. The comedy works and gives the audience relief from the heavy action. The director gets this balance right and moves things at a frantic pace.

The first half of the film works well with that narration, but in the second the director shifts the focus completely on action. This is where the film starts to drag. Luckily though, it ends before things go completely out of hand with the re-introduction of comic relief via the Posani Krishna Murali character. The film gets back on the track and is fine till the climax, which could have been better.

Music by SS Thaman was good has been used very well by the director, especially in the second half. Background music done by SS Thaman is alright.

Choreography and picturization of songs are one of the major highlights of the film. The moves in some songs and locations in others are a treat for the eyes. Cinematography by Chota K Naidu is fantastic. Editing is fine but the film could have done well with the flashback sequence being slightly shorter.

Positives
Ram Charan dance moves
Some fight sequences
Comedy
Scenes involving Jaya Prakash Reddy
Posani Krishna Murali in the second half

Negatives
Excessive violence
Predictable storyline

What to do?
For the lovers of full meals, this is another from a different hotel. You may have eaten it many times before, but would not mind it again.

Rating: 3.5/5