Cast: Nagarjuna, Anushka, Priyamani, Brahmanandam, Pradeep Rawat, Kota Srinivas Rao and othersMusic: Taman
Cinematography: Sarvesh Murari
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Action: Vijay
Art: A S Prakash
Produced by: D Shiva Prasad Reddy
Story, screenplay and directed by: Veeru Potla
Release date: December 24, 2010.
Theater watched : Siva, Guntur.
Rating: 2 . 75 / 5
Nagarjuna New Telugu Film Ragada Movie Review:
Story:
A formula tale, the story begins with the arrival of Satya (Nag), a ruffian with a good heart. He helps GK (dev gill) who is a notorious don from an assassination attempt and this is done by Peddanna (pradeep rawath). GK is impressed by the guts and fighting power of Satya and befriends him. On the other hand, GK's partner's daughter Sirisha (anushka) also likes Satya. Then, there is Ashtalakshmi (priyamani) who chances upon Satya and requests his help for her problems. However, Satya comes with a mission while Sirisha and Ashtalakshmi also have their own motives. What happens from all this forms the rest of the story.
Artist Performace:
Seeing Nagarjuna in the movie, you don’t believe that he has crossed 50 years. He looks so dashing in the movie. In the role of a rowdy, he cakewalks through the character. He has used Rayalaseema diction in the movie. Anushka is gorgeous and her chemistry with Nagarjuna is hot. Priyamani is okay. Charmee also provides glamour quotient in a song.
Brahmanandam provides some laughs in the beginning of the movie but the movie lacks comedy on the whole. Pradeep Rawat does justice to his role. Venniradai Nirmala, Kota, Supreet, Tanikella, and master Bharat have not much role but they have done their job well.
Technical and Other Departments:
Taman’s songs are not that foot-tapping but they are shot beautifully and richly. Sets are fantastic in the songs. The director has come up with a predictable storyline and though the presentation was elegant, the narrative was just okay. The dialogues were alright, the script was consistent. The screenplay was inconsistent. Background score was catchy and three songs were foot tapping. Cinematography was top notch. Editing was required badly during the second half. Costumes were trendy and stylish while the art department made its presence felt in a big way.
Analysis:
The film is basically a masala based treat and it is more of a commercial formula flick rather than a storyline with depth or intensity. While the first half is stylish and is filled with the regular elements of fights, romance, songs, comedy etc, the second half takes a serious turn and it gets dragged to an extent by unwanted songs and some melodrama. Technically, the film has been made well and it gives a good visual appeal but content wise, the material is weak and doesn't engage the audience. At the box office, this will work with those who want some mass commercial entertainment. Probably the movie is highest budgeted flick in Nagarjuna's career.
Final View:
On the whole, Ragada is predictable entertainer that follows the age old formula, which might appeal to viewers who finds comfort in mass masala movies that hinge completely on star power and glamour than the content. Watch it only for some action episodes, Nagarjuna and Anushka’s sexposing. its a Mass masala treat,
