The Family Star review: It is impossible to bailout this poorly-conceived family drama with Vijay Deverakonda’s unusually cool presence

If you’re a fan of Vijay Deverakonda, you will never get tired of watching him playing silly characters — be it a corporate professional, a romantic hubby, or a family man.

And the role Govardhan that he played in The Family Star is something you will never want him to play again.

Govardhan is not the usual youngster you often see in your neighbourhood because his boy-next-door appeal is somewhat tweaked to suit the theme of the story.

He is more a family man than a romantic boyfriend — bogged down by too many responsibilities, his pocket is too tight to impress a girlfriend. He has his grandmother (Rohini Hattangadi), two elder brothers (an unemployed, drunkard Ravi Prakash and Raja Chembolu), sisters-in-law (Vasuki and Abhinaya), and their five kids to take care of.

Goverdhan prioritises every penny of his pay according to the requirements of his middle-class family. Here’s when a rich Central University student named Indu (Mrunal Thakur) enters his life.

What conflict arises when a typical middle-class man like Govardhan tries to forge a relationship with a girl from a rich family?— is the story.

Also Read: Our film celebrates the heroes in our lives: Team ‘The Family Star’

Analysis

This family drama, boasting a responsible protagonist, is unimaginably slow-paced in the entire first half.

Director Parasuram Petla shows Vijay Deverakonda as a responsible family man who would die for his family. The protagonist has a distinct personality with a set goal.

The story has a unique perspective, family dynamics, and a conflict that a story requires.

The film fails to convincingly establish the central conflict or tension that drives the drama forward — the soar relationship between Vijay Deverakonda and his brother Ravi Prakash.

Also, there is no proper reason why Ravi Prakash becomes quite normal after slapping Vijay in a scene!

But what makes the first half bearable is Vijay’s screen presence.

Mrunal’s introduction adds a feel-good factor to the already boring story. However, the interval scene of the quarrelling pair keeps the audience hooked to the screens.

The second half shifts to the US. Here is where director Parasuram must regret not posing a few fundamental questions himself about what makes The Family Star a compelling watch.

Of course, it’s not the picturesque locations of the US that make audiences sit for another hour.

You could expect Parasuram to make the character Govardhan undergo a slight change. But to the contrary, the protagonist becomes more cranky and cringe when he lands in the US. He is unmindful of the fact that it could cost him his job!

The characters of the lead pair have clear arcs, however, with poor writing. Some scenes depicting Govardhan as a successful man finishing his project in the US are poorly conceived.

Even in a scene in the first half, a corporate professional like Govardhan thrashing baddies black and blue does not make sense. Why would a cool, responsible family man fight a street thug for a property settlement?

Vijay Deverakonda, a visual treat for his fans

Vijay Deverakonda, as Govardhan, is unusually cool. The perfection he brings in every frame is simply eye-pleasing for his fans.

Mrunal Thakur, as Indu from a rich business family, is appreciable. But for most of the second half, she remains mute.

Other actors, including Ravi Prakash, Vasuki, Rohini Hattangadi, and Ajay Gosh are good but have nothing to do.

Another disappointing aspect of The Family Star is its music scored by Gopi Sundar. The music does not stick with the audience long after you leave the theatre.

Of the three songs, “Kalyani Vacha Vacha” is the only song closely associated with the fans. But it comes five minutes before the end credits, thus disconnecting with the flow.

KU Mohanan’s cinematography is good.

The editing part by Marthand K Venkatesh should have been good, at least for films which constantly fall back after every scene.

Final take

Banking solely on Vijay Deverakonda’s screen presence, this family drama is an attempt to mint money. It lacks an honest motive to tell a compelling drama as promised by producer Dil Raju.

(Views expressed here are personal.)