Kushi

I watched the first day first show with a lot of anticipation and the movie really disappointed me. Before I get to that, the positives, the cinematography, especially Kashmir mountains are a joy to watch. Devarakonda does well as a modern, besotted lover. Samantha looks ill and lazy throughout the movie. Maybe she just was looking to complete the movie and her health did not support. Beyond all this, the movie is narrated from the woman's perspective on marriage largely. That is what I disliked the most. In many ways, this movie is similar to Alai Paayuthey, the Mani Ratnam classic. The storyline bears an eerie resemblance of two couples from polarising backgrounds coming together and going against parents to marry. Reality hits them hard after marriage and with parents alienated, they have nowhere to go. It's then that a couple outside the family (here Rohini and Jayram) and their Arvind Swamy and someone else show them what a true marriage is. That was a big, big letdown.

The movie's plot may appear quaint, perhaps suitable for the 1980s era, yet it struggles to resonate in contemporary times. The screenplay lacks originality, with each scene and sequence treading a path of monotony and predictability, reminiscent of tropes prevalent over the past three decades. The dialogues, sadly, fall into the realm of familiarity.

Vijay Devarakonda's presence feels ill-suited, as he comes across more like Samantha's younger sibling than a fitting co-star. Their on-screen dynamic appears contrived, with Samantha's tendency to overact being a recurring issue, her appearance in this film is more artificial. On the contrary, the supporting cast executes their roles competently.

While the production design, costumes, and makeup all exude a sense of opulence, they lack vitality. The cinematography can be deemed satisfactory, though the editing could have been more succinct. Clocking in at a runtime of 2 hours and 45 minutes, the movie's duration is excessive for a romantic comedy and proves tiresome for an unengaging narrative.

Although a couple of songs manage to make a decent impression, the background music becomes overly pervasive in certain instances.

"This film portrays Orthodox Hindus as superstitious and unintelligent, while depicting Atheists as arrogant. However, it contradicts the idea that Orthodox Hindus are willing to marry their daughters to individuals from different castes and beliefs easily. It also suggests that Rationalists will contribute to environmental pollution and disrupt public peace by playing loud music, bursting crackers in front of government offices, and dancing."

The movie doesn't explore groundbreaking themes, instead focusing on everyday relationship challenges. The second half takes a light-hearted approach to these issues and is enhanced by great music and stunning visuals.

The interactions between the lead characters in the latter part of the film are perfect for family audiences. While not entirely original, they are convincingly portrayed. Vijay Deverakonda impresses as Viplav, shedding his mass image for the role and maintaining an uber-cool demeanor throughout. His comedic timing and performance in pivotal scenes are endearing.

Star actress Samantha shines in her role as Kushi, exuding charm and delivering a nuanced performance. Her chemistry with Vijay Deverakonda is palpable, and she handles emotional sequences with ease. The humor is decent, and the emotional moments in the latter part of the film are well-executed. Supporting cast members including Sharanya, Murali Sharma, Rohini, Sharanya Pradeep, Sachin Khedekar, and Rahul Ramakrishna also deliver commendable performances.

The movie becomes somewhat predictable, which affects its impact. Knowing what's coming next can make it less engaging at times. The Kerala episode could have been better executed.

The film is lengthy and could benefit from some editing, particularly in the extended Kashmir sequences. The first half lacks momentum, but it picks up after the pre-interval scene. While the director mentioned the film addresses a sensitive issue during promotions, it doesn't offer a particularly fresh perspective and feels reminiscent of other films.

Hesham Abdul Wahab's music shines as the unsung hero of Kushi, with superb songs beautifully captured by cinematographer Murali. The rich visuals elevate the overall viewing experience, thanks to Mythri Movie Makers' commitment to production values. However, there's room for improvement in the editing.

Director Shiva Nirvana handles Kushi decently, opting for a relatable concept that resonates with married individuals, delivered in his signature style. His films consistently address everyday life issues, and Kushi is no exception. The casting and technical team are commendable, showcasing the director's skill in assembling a talented crew.

In summary, Kushi is an enjoyable romantic comedy with a strong second half. The film's central theme comes to life in the latter part, delivering compelling drama and emotions. Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha deliver charming performances, well-supported by the rest of the cast. However, the film's initial portions are less impressive, and a shorter runtime could have had a more significant impact. Nevertheless, Shiva Nirvana presents a relatable film for family audiences, making Kushi a worthwhile watch.

Ordinarily regular story telling yet entertaining initial half!!

Simple intro to characters and their world... dives right into breezy love track!!

The humor is executed well and adds to the experience!!

Few unnecessary fillers during the movie setup are bearable... Exceptional production values... impressive in most of the parts, technically could have been better!!

Emotionally engaging later half!!

Throughly developed characters with perfect blend in arcs!!

Not so conventional conflict point, few forced sequences disrupt the viewing experience... Songs & BGM are the most impressive part of the film!!

VD & Sam nailed their roles, their chemistry is just perfect!!

Final 30min of the movie is where lies it's heart, emotionally exceptional!!

Although there are some drifts in the screenplay, resulting in a slightly lengthy narrative, anticipating these flaws makes the movie a good watch... 3/5.

One more kinda movie from Vijay Devarakonda.

Story line is combination of ante sundaraki and sakhi.

Unnecessary dialogues and background music was copied from old Kushi in some scenes. Aishwarya Rajesh has done better acting compared to Vijay and Samantha.

Not sure what they were trying to show to audience in this film.

The 2 rating I gave was for some jokes and one action sequence.

It is not a theater watch. It will be OTT soon. I felt like I wasted 3 hrs watching this film. Interval ads are better than the film.

I don't even understand why this movie was named as Kushi.

Going forward please don't use hit movie names for such kind of flops and ruin the names of those movies.