Saleem

"Vishnu looks at his best. He has shown good ease and excels in fights and dances. Production values of the film are grand. Direction is good in parts. The first half of the film is just good. Though the interval bang aroused some curiosity, the director succeeds to capitalize on it. YVS always has a trademark name associated with songs and he kept up his standards. The film consists of good fight sequences."

The film's production took almost 2 years, BIG Pictures and Adlabs jointly produced the film and the total budget of the film hit a whopping Rs.23 crores. Finally, the movie released on December 12th, 2009.

On the whole, Saleem is a message oriented thriller which has its moments. Exciting second half and a engaging climax are basic plus points. While technically sound, the film has certain memorable moments.

Positives Cinematography Second Half Good Narration Music and Background Score Editing

Vishnu has picked up considerably. He is really looking smart with lean look. His face is also showing some glow and young charisma. Dances are also impressive. Ileana is restricted to enticing male crowds through songs. YVS Choudary seems to have crossed the caliber of K Raghavendra Rao in igniting screen to flame with female glamour. Ileana's action while delivering some dialogues is very good. Kaveri Jha is also used for the glamour factor. Technically the movie is very good. The sound effects, action part and cinematography are dealt up to perfection.Music is good. This is one of the good movie that I have ever seen in my life so far. comedy, over exposing heroines, non-piercing dialogues, and senseless screenplay- everything is good.

"Manchu Vishnu's 'Saleem' released in the year 2009 after a long wait. Ileana, the heroine in demand paired up with him. Mohan Babu also played a key role in the film and that attracted the audiences. Good screenplay and energy high narration till the interval. And the interval bang has got a twist that rotates the heads of audiences to 360 degrees. I cannot reveal that here as that is the only 'suspense factor' in it. Mohan Babu plays the mafia don OJO (an acronym for Ogirala Joginatham) and he has a duet with Kaveri Jha. The twist in the interval narrates rest of the story line with all confusion and cacophony. Who is Saleem is another part of the story that unwraps in second half. "

Manchu Vishnuvardhan Babu, had only one good film to his credit (Srinu Vytla's, 'Dhee') at that point of time. He happily signed on the dotted line and convinced his father, Manchu Mohan Babu to act in a special role in the film. YVS Chowdary also convinced the heartthrob of Telugu Cinema, Ileana to act in the film. Apparently, she didn't even read the script and signed on the dotted line, just because it's a YVS Chowdary's film who had introduced her to Telugu Cinema with 'Devdas'. Since, Mohan Babu still considers himself a 30 something, YVS Chowdary roped in another bombshell, Kaveri Jha to play a special role in the film.

This is the brief history of how 'Saleem' took birth. But make no mistake, Anarkali's 'Saleem' would be wincing in his grave that YVS Chowdary has used his name and made a complete mockery of both the name 'Saleem' and its cult status.