We guessed it right. Dookudu is really a big leap in Mahesh brand entertainment. There is, delightfully, a bonus. The film is a big leap in Vytla brand entertainment as well. To put it in a nutshell, this awesome film has got everything which you might have expected to see in Khaleja (2010) but did not find in it. Dookudu has got everything - comedy, action, romance. On the top of it, there is an intelligent screenplay that coalesces adrenaline punches with comic drama and sentiment. And when the sentiment involves a superstar like Mahesh Babu and an ace like Prakash Raj, who strike a perfect chemistry on screen, you cannot ask for more. It would be far-fetched to even suggest that Dookudu is a classic, as the hero had wanted it to be, but it is indubitably a must-watch film.
Thankfully, the drama and action are not routine. They are laced with rib-tickling comedy and touching sentimentality. Vaitla blends all the commercial ingredients in his inimitable style and makes Dookudu an enjoyable fare for all and how?
Well, here it is how he does it. Much like Dhee, Ready and King, this film too sees the the hero making everyone live in a fool's paradise: things go as the hero wants them. Nayak marvels at old Telugu classics and Ghantasala's rendition of the Gita; Brahmanandam, who believes that he is part of a reality show (this one, believe us, is top class), has you in splits as he is fooled around without a respite; MS Narayana's spoofing of Magadheera and Simha is superb; Prime Minister NTR, speaking on the ramparts of Red Fort in chaste Telugu, promises to bring black money back; Master Bharath participates in multi-crore land dealings and brings smiles. Even a get-to-gether of Mahesh, Samantha's families becomes an occasion for comedy of lies and bakras. Episodic treatment keeps your interest alive. Every murder comes with a touch of humour. Welcome to the world of Srinu Vaitla.
As for the performances, Mahesh delivers one of his career bests. He can now safely claim, without inviting ridicule, that Dookudu is a slap on the face of those who declared that he is not good at comedy. He shows verve and energy in action scenes. He is convincing in the khaddar get-up. He is remarkable at spouting one-liners as the super-efficient cop. He is trigger-happy, but is immediately funny in taking digs at his stupid senior Nasser.
All comedians and character artists do justice to their roles. On the flip side, however, Samantha is not seen much in the second half. But when she sizzles on the screen in Itu Raye number, you swoon.
Tehnicially, it is proof what a Digital Intermediate finish can make a film look like. It is visually rich.
Post Script: Babu land aithe opposition ku bande, Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam says to a frightened Sonu Sood. Prince proves he is Numero Uno. The fight for top slot is over. Cool.
