If you're a fan of King Nag, "Naa Saami Ranga" might work in parts, with convincingly good performances from the lead pairs.
A poster of the film 'Naa Saami Ranga'. (X)
Naa Saami Ranga (Telugu)
Naa Saami Ranga takes place in the 1960s in the tranquil setting of Ambajipeta town in coastal Andhra, where Kishtayya (portrayed by Nagarjuna Akkineni), is raised as an orphan.
His fondness for Anji (played by Allari Naresh) is immeasurable. The village headman (played by Nassar) commands unwavering respect from Kishtayya for a reason.
Ever since childhood, Kishtayya harbours feelings for Varalu aka Varalaxmi (Ashika Ranganath). However, Varalu, the daughter of a money-hungry financier (Rao Ramesh) in the village remains indifferent to Kishtayya’s feelings.
Simultaneously, the sons of the village headman (Bharat Reddy and Shabbir) develop hatred against Kishtayya. Against this backdrop, a conflict arises between two villages during the Sankranti festival.
What prompts Kishtayya’s deep affection for Anji? Why does he respect the village headman? How does the Sankranti festival procession lead to trouble for Kishtaiya? How does Kishtayya resolve the dispute between the villages? Does Varalu reciprocate Kishtiah’s love? This is the story of Naa Saami Ranga.
A still from the film ‘Naa Saami Ranga’. (X)
Naa Saami Ranga opens with an emotional note of Kishtayya and Anji’s childhood. Set in the backdrop of 1963 in the West Godavari district, the story moves forward with a subtle conflict of Bhaskar’s love story (Raj Tarun).
The love track between Varalu and Kishtayya adds a touch of allure to the story but that doesn’t make it look organic, as too many commercial elements come into play.
The film’s narrative fails to bring forth the freshness that Telugu audiences have been expecting. The screenplay from director Vijay Binni could have been handled more deftly.
The only noteworthy aspect is the way the interval episode was executed. Director Vijay Binni attempted to instil intrigue through his storytelling in the second half through a poignant narrative thread but it didn’t last long.
The emotional connection between Allari Naresh and Nagarjuna could have been more deftly handled in the first half, although their influence on subsequent scenes provides heightened entertainment for the audience.
A more robust depiction of the antagonist and a more considerate placement of a couple of songs might have enhanced the overall viewing experience.
The majority of the first half leans on humour, a bit of action, and a touch of emotion. The village setup of the 60s to the present appears not so groundbreaking but captures attention due to its quality output.
The humour primarily expected from the lead pair of Nag and Ashika falls short of expectations. And the sequences such as the lead pair visiting the cinema hall—all failed to induce the required laughter. Though not so damp, it doesn’t even touch the satisfactory level at any point.
Vijay Binni directorial ‘Naa Saami Ranga’. (X)
You wonder why Nagarjuna stopped ageing. His swag and style never get old. With his dialogue delivery and on-screen presence,
Nagarjuna is an amazing performer— in the role of an elder brother and a loyalist to village headman Nassar.
Aashika Ranganathan deserves praise for the fact that she knew she would portray a character beyond her age.
With good looks and acting talent, she shines in most of the scenes alongside Nagarjuna.
Allari Naresh brings the required entertainment that a story needs. He leaves a lasting impression, especially in the second half. And the supporting cast delivers satisfactory performances.
MM Keeravaani effectively contributes with his music. He sets the right emotional tunes for the sequences.
The well-crafted pre-climax and climax scenes enhance the movie’s appeal.
If you’re a fan of King Nag, Naa Saami Ranga might work in parts. With convincingly good performances from the lead pairs.
The story is bogged down by a sluggish first half with no significant twists and turns. Given its routine template of a Sankranthi-themed film, this village drama turns out to be another dampener for film lovers.
(Views expressed here are personal.)
May 11, 2024
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