Starring: Ram Pothineni, Sreeleela, Saiee Manjrekar, Prince Cecil, Gautami, Indraja, Raja, Srikanth, Sharath Lohitashwa, Prithviraj, and others
Director: Boyapati Sreenu
Producer: Srinivasaa Chitturi
Music Director: S Thaman
Skanda marks the much-anticipated collaboration between Energetic Star Ram Pothineni and mass director Boyapati Sreenu. The film has finally hit the cinemas, generating significant buzz. Let’s dive into the review to discover what this movie has to offer.
Story:
The story revolves around an intense feud between Telangana CM Ranjith Reddy’s (Sharath Lohitashwa) son and Andhra Pradesh CM Rayudu’s (Ajay Purkar) daughter, who elope. Seeking revenge, Rayudu sets his sights on vengeance. However, the entry of Bhaskar Raju (Ram Pothineni) changes the entire dynamic. Who is Bhaskar Raju, and what is his motive? Why does he target both CMs? And how does Rudraganti Ramakrishna Raju (Srikanth) fit into this complex narrative? Skanda holds the answers to these intriguing questions.
Plus Points:
Ram Pothineni delivers an impressive transformation for his role in the film. His portrayal in “beast mode,” especially during action sequences, is nothing short of extraordinary. His impactful dialogue delivery further elevates the scenes.
Sreeleela, while somewhat less impressive as the heroine, showcases her talent through her mesmerizing beauty and dance moves.
Srikanth gets a significant role, and though his screen time is limited, the story largely revolves around his character. Daggubati Raju also delivers a commendable performance.
S Thaman deserves applause for his outstanding musical score, which enhances many key moments in the film.
Minus Points:
Boyapati Sreenu’s signature style of prioritizing action over logic, while enjoyable for many, may leave audiences questioning the plausibility of certain scenes, especially in the action sequences of Skanda.
The film’s story treads familiar territory without offering much innovation, particularly in the second half, where the pacing slows down, leading to a loss of momentum.
Boyapati Sreenu should focus more on crafting engaging plots alongside his knack for creating mass dialogues and action sequences that excite fans.
The placement and selection of songs in the movie leave room for improvement. Except for a couple, most of the songs are forgettable.
The film introduces several characters, like Indraja, Gautami, and others, who don’t significantly contribute to the plot. Providing them with more depth or dialogue opportunities would have been beneficial.
While the emotional aspect in the second half is decent, it falls short of being exceptional. Some of the political references in the dialogues may resonate more with mass audiences in specific regions.
Verdict:
On the whole, Skanda offers a high-voltage, mass action entertainment experience with a standout performance by Ram Pothineni, captivating action sequences, and impressive dance sequences. Fans and mass audiences are likely to enjoy this film immensely. However, the film’s simplistic storyline, illogical action sequences, and a slower second half may not appeal to all. If you can overlook these aspects, Skanda is worth a watch this weekend.