TVM ARIESPLEX SL AUDI 5 TODAY 11.15AM STATUS: 60 PERCENT Corruption, robbery, murder, revenge, politics, horror- director Ashoks’ recently released Bhaagmathie can be described as a ‘cocktail of genres’ at its best. Much awaited movie which has our own jejjamma ‘Anushka’ in lead has been in production for last 3 years. The film begins with Eeshwar Prasad (Jayaram) , a politician who is not tainted with corruption, aspires to cleanse the system, while his rivals plot a plan to bring him down under a series of temple robberies. For this purpose, they plans to collect evidence from Chanchala IAS, a former university topper and a former private secretary to Eeshwar Prasad. Chanchala who is serving in the prison under the charges of murdering her own husband, Shakthi (Unni Mukundan) was brought into a haunted ‘Bhaagmathie bungalow’ for an unofficial police questioning by Vaishnavi Natarajan IPS (Asha Sharath). What I really liked about this movie is the way by which director keeps the interest of audience on track. The first 30 minutes were racy and there is not even a single dull moment. Trouble begins once the horror element starts, in a wrong way. Dust-laden windows, ricketing staircases, dark and gloomy bungalow, tried and tested jump scares gets boring after a point of time. However Bhaagmathie gets better with the pre interval sequences and gets even better in the secondhalf. In fact, the last 45 minutes elevated the movie from being an average telugu ‘fantasy’ potboiler to a very good thriller. Respect is something which is to be earned. Lady superstar is now a days, a terminology used by actress who has done less than 15 films (quite funny, to say the least!). Is there anyone like Lady Superstar? Yes, it is Anushka Shetty. There was a huge amount of applause for her introduction scene. Even in a working day, that too a morning show – a 60 percent status for a female oriented movie is quite appreciable by any standards. That too for a dubbed movie. Take it from me, there is no woman actor in the south indian cinema who has the kind of aura that sweety brings into her character. She is just mindblowing as bhaagmathie and it would not be a exaggeration to say that no other lady actress of her generation could not replace her in this role. She carried out the role with many shades by utmost perfection, cementing her position as ‘Lady Superstar’. Jayaram has done a decent role. Asha Sharath reminds me of her ‘Drishyam’ character. All the other supporting cast did their job well. Music by Thaman, Cinematography by Madhie are strong pillars of the movie, though bgm was felt to be bit loud in some portions of the movie. On the downside, Bhaagmathie was advertised as a horror movie by the makers. It do have some edge of the seat moments, but it is not a satisfying effort as a horror flick.However like I said before , last 45 minutes is the saving grace of the movie and makes it a good thriller. Like his recent outings, unfortunately unni mukundan is the weakest link in the whole affair. He has shown improvements. But unlike Janatha Garage, he gets more screen space in Bhaagmathie and failed to utilise it.Thirdly, dubbing and lipsync was not matching in few areas. Why are you guys advertising it as bilingual then? For UV Creations, after Bale Bale Magadivoy, Mahanubhavudu – another winner and skyhigh expectations for their home venture, Prabhas starrer ‘Saaho’.They have become a synonym for good movies within brief span of time.Overall, bhaagmathie is a decent to good thriller, with several twists and suspense factors towards the later half of the movie along with a towering performance from Anushka Shetty saves the entire affair. RATING: 3.5/5
