Starring: Sri Simha Koduri as Surya, Kavya Kalyanram as Meghana , Gautham Menon, Anu Haasan ,Ravindra Vijay as Mechanic, Venkatesh Maha, Ravi Siva Teja
Director: Phanideep
Producers: Rajani Korrapati, Rakesh Reddy Gaddam, Himank Reddy Duvvuru
Music Directors: Akeeva B
Sri Simha Koduri, known for his diverse roles, takes on the lead in “Ustaad,” a film directed by Phanideep. Co-starring Kavya Kalyanram, the movie presents the journey of Surya, played by Sri Simha, as he navigates through life’s challenges. The film explores his passion for becoming a pilot, his attachment to his bike “Ustaad,” and his love story with Meghana.
Story:
“Ustaad” revolves around Surya, a directionless youth portrayed by Sri Simha Koduri. His life takes a significant turn after he acquires his first bike, which he affectionately names “Ustaad.” The emotional bond with his bike fuels his ambition to become a pilot. Alongside this dream, he falls in love with Meghana (Kavya Kalyanram). However, their love story encounters obstacles, setting the stage for Surya’s challenges in love and achieving his dreams.
Positives:
Sri Simha Koduri delivers an impressive performance, portraying Surya’s emotions with finesse. He embodies the role of a passionate teenager convincingly, and his appearance suits the character’s initial stages. The film captures touching moments, particularly a pivotal scene involving Surya’s bike and memories of his father, which propels his journey towards becoming a pilot.
Kavya Kalyanram delivers a solid performance, and Ravi Siva Teja shines with impeccable comedic timing. The film’s first half, despite pacing issues, holds engaging moments, while Surya’s character development is well-handled. Notably, Sri Simha and Ravindra Vijay’s chemistry adds depth to the narrative.
Negatives:
Despite a promising setup, the film falters in its execution. The interval sequence sparks curiosity about Surya’s professional journey, but the second half’s slow pacing dampens the momentum. The romantic angle, initially engaging, loses steam and is excessively dragged out in the latter part. Unfortunately, the lack of detailed exploration of Surya’s professional endeavors is a missed opportunity.
The film’s pacing issues intensify in the second hour, with repetitive scenes and a sluggish narrative testing the audience’s patience. The story’s progression stagnates, and although a few scenes hold interest, the overall execution falls short. The character of Ravindra Vijay, while well-played, lacks the depth needed to elevate the storyline.
Verdict:
“Ustaad” is a coming-of-age drama that falls victim to narrative shortcomings. While containing pockets of engaging moments, the film’s overall execution disappoints. The extended romantic sequences, sluggish pacing, and unnecessary scenes hinder the viewing experience. Sri Simha Koduri’s commendable performance isn’t enough to salvage the film, making “Ustaad” a less-than- satisfactory watch.