Venkatadri Express

My review: Venkatadri Express

"Venkatadri Express" is not your routine commercial mass masala movie which get releases every Friday in Telugu. Written and directed by Merlapaka Gandhi, it is a romantic comedy spiced up with a pinch of family sentiment and action on the backdrop of travel from Hyderabad to Tirupathi. Gandhi's script is crystal clear and his narration lucid and engaging. Backed by good performances from the star cast, "Venkatadri Express" is a thoroughly enjoyable humorous ride for the whole family. 

The protagonist is the youngest son a strict retired headmaster who is at the verge of being thrown out of his house if he commits one more mistake. On this background the family leave for Tirupathi for the elder son's marriage. Protagonist somehow misses the train who happen to meet Prarthana (Rakul Preet Singh) who is also on her way to Tirupathi. The events of that night as they travel from Hyderabad to Tirupathi by various means of transport and the people whom they meet during the travel form the gist of this interesting movie that never fails to keep you in it's leash.

Sundeep Kishan is casual in his ways. He is at ease in almost all sequences be it comical, romantic, action or sentimental. Rakul Preet is cute and homely looking at the same time ravishing in the song sequence. Her role is the routine Telugu film heroine who must be bubbly and talkative and at times retarded. The support cast is made of largely lesser known actors who all have done their parts excellently. It is the excellent support cast that elevates the movie to a higher level. All of them have succeeded in evoking laughter at most places. Thagubothu Ramesh and Sapthagiri deserve special mention.

Movie is technically sleek with, Chota K.Naidu wielding the camera. Ramana Gokula's music is passable.

On the whole, "Venkatadri Express" is a fun film, enjoyable neat family entertainer that is pleasantly fresh. 

Bottomline: Delightful ride. 

3.5/5