Starring: Kartikeya, Neha Sshetty, Ajay Ghosh, Rajkumar Kasireddy, Srikanth Iyenger, Auto Ramprasad, Goparaju Ramana, LB Sriram, Satya, Vennela Kishore, Surabhi Prabhavathi, and others
Director: Clax
Producer: Ravindra Benerjee Muppaneni
Music Directors: Mani Sharma
“Bedurulanka 2012” is a comedic-drama film directed by Clax, featuring Kartikeya and Neha Sshetty in the lead roles. Set in the fictional village of Bedurulanka in the year 2012, the film explores themes of greed and human tendencies. The story revolves around Shiva (Kartikeya), a resident of Bedurulanka, who tries to thwart the plans of Bhushanam (Ajay Ghosh) and his gang. They exploit the fears of the villagers about the impending apocalypse on December 21, 2012. Shiva, with the support of his friends and his love interest Chitra (Neha Sshetty), embarks on a mission to expose Bhushanam’s deceitful intentions and schemes.
Positives:
The film successfully conveys a meaningful message about the manipulation of people’s beliefs by fraudulent individuals. The concept of exploiting the apocalypse hysteria for personal gain is presented effectively. The movie also captures the essence of the Godavari region and its people’s wittiness in the initial moments.
Kartikeya delivers a commendable performance, showcasing his talent in comedy and timing. His character’s evolution from a carefree youngster to a responsible savior is well portrayed. Neha Sshetty’s portrayal of a village girl is convincing, and her chemistry with Kartikeya adds charm to the story.
The climax of the film is a highlight, where the villagers embrace the idea of living honestly in the face of an impending apocalypse. The satirical humor is well-executed, especially in scenes involving Ajay Ghosh, Srikanth Iyenger, Rajkumar Kasireddy, and Auto Ramprasad.
Negatives:
While the film starts on an intriguing note, it suffers from inconsistency in its storytelling. Certain portions in the first half feel prolonged and dilute the overall impact. The post-interval sequences are lackluster and fail to maintain the initial engagement. The chaos during the apocalypse could have been depicted more effectively.
The midsection of the film becomes convoluted, affecting the pacing and narrative flow. The concluding song is underwhelming, briefly turning the film into a rough ride. LB Sriram’s character could have been better utilized.
Director Clax makes a promising debut with an engaging concept. While the film’s start and finish are engaging, the middle section lags. The movie’s potential isn’t fully tapped, though the intriguing premise, setting, and performances keep it afloat.
Verdict:
“Bedurulanka 2012” presents an appealing premise with moments of humor. Strong performances by Kartikeya, Ajay Ghosh, and Srikanth Iyenger contribute positively. Despite its interesting concept, the film’s execution is uneven. The movie’s length could have been trimmed, and the inconsistent storytelling might be a concern for some viewers. If you’re willing to overlook these shortcomings, the film could be worth a watch.