Jalsa - Review

Credits

sadwik rating: 3.75/5
Punchline: more comedy.
Genre: Love/Action
Type: Straight
Banner: Geeta Arts

Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Ileana, Parvati Melton, Kamalinee Mukherjee, Prakash Raj, Mukesh Rishi, Sivaji, Brahmanandam, Ali, Sunil, Dharmavarapu

Music: Devi Srii Prasad
Cinematography: Guhan & Rasool Ellore
Lyrics: Sirivennela, Bhaskarabhatla & Ramajogaiah Sastri
Action: Vijay
Editing: Srikar Prasad
Dialogues - story -screenplay – direction: Trivikram
Producer: Allu Arvind
Release date: 2 April 2008
Jalsa is a truly Jalsa for Pawan fans. With loads of entertainment, Pawan Kalyan back to form in his energy and looks, and excellent direction by Trivikram will surely prove to be a treat to Pawan fans. However, it might not satisfy those who have extremely high expectations on the film.

Sanjay Sahu (Pawan Kalyan) is a enjoying-life kind of a guy who has lot of degrees proving his interest in education and studying. He is in love with a girl (Kamalini Mukharjee) in the college. But she is engaged and is married to another guy on the force of her father (Prakash Raj). After a few years, two girls Jo (Parvati Melton) and Bhagee (Ileana) fall in love Sanjay. Sanjay says yes to Bhagee. Bhagee happens to be the sister of Kamalini. What are the odds? Now there is a villain who is after Sanjay and also Bhagee is not happy knowing Sanjay was in love with her sister in the past. The rest of the plot should be seen on the screen.

Pawan Kalyan is back again. He looked refreshing, energetic and all back in form. Whatever a fan can ask from Pawan Kalyan is all in this film. Call it excellent comedy timing (especially for those liners done by Trivikram), exciting action sequences and in between Pawan's style of romance with the heroines; Pawan Kalyan is excellent in the film and is a treat to watch. This factor itself is enough to make the movie run at the box office without any hesitation for the fans. Ileana looked glamorous and did her part well. She is impressive in the film because her onscreen chemistry with Pawan Kalyan worked charms. And also the dubbing done for her by Swathi is an additional asset. It is apt and sound sexy. Parvati Melton and Kamalini impresses in their roles even though they are short. Song of Paravati Melton for Jennifer Lopez is done very good. Sivaji is impressive in his short role.

Brahmanandam needs special mention. He played the head constable in the film and is hillarious in his role. He gave the required entertainment element in the second half. Especially the scenes involving Pawan Kalyan and Brahmanandam came out excellent and will throw every one in laughter. Uttej, Ali, Ravi Prakash as friends of Pawan Kalyan are good in their roles. Sunil as Banku Seenu, who wants to do anything 10 seconds ahead of the proposed time, is hillarious in his role. And so is Dharmavarapu, who played doctor for Sunil.

Another special mention in the cast is Prakashraj, who did a variety role of the type asking the hero 'neeku girl friends supply cheyyadanikey nenu koothurlani kanna'. Mukesh Rishi, Thanikella Bharani and co in the bad guys shoes are good.

Entertainment is provided in tons and the cast is perfect, but it is the story that is waferthin lined. There is nothing much in the story. Making and direction are all on high standards matching the Trivikram style showing his brand. And he is highly successful in bringing out Pawan Kalyan the way audience want to see him. Inspite of all these positives, lack of soul in the story is clearly seen. Also, there is another point in the characterization of Pawan Kalyan that the director failed to convince. Having said that the protagonist has gone through a tough ordeal that he became a revolutionist, the spirit is not carried through the character entirely. That entire episode is wrapped up in a simple manner without projecting much effect of the ordeals that the hero went through. Barring that Trivikram is highly successful in projecting everything else in commendable proportions.

Dialogs will be a major asset to the film and that too they came out in Trivikram style targeted for Pawan Kalyan. Samples are, 'bakka chikkina Chiranjeevi laga unnadu... manalni itanem kapadatadu', referring to Pawan Kalyan; Yuddamlo gelavadam mukyam.. champadam kadhu'; 'anthaa chooste... nee daggara anni vunnayi... dabbu, power hodaa anni..anni.. lenidi okate adi bhayam ... sare ika nundi neeku nenistaa bhyaanni.... tannula koddi bhayaanni', Pawan saying this to Villain; These kind of dialogs really rocked and will send the fans to the aisle. Especially these dialogs worked out good for Pawan Kalyan. Also, voice over done by Mahesh Babu worked out very good.

Music by Devisri Prasad is an additional asset. All the songs are very good. However, fans would expect to see Pawan shaking his body more. Camera work done by Guhan and Rasool is simply superb. Srikar Prasad's editing is good. Stunts by Vijay are superb. Sitarama Sastry's lyrics for Chalore Chalore are worth mentioning.

First half is filled with loads of entertainment. Second half of the film starts on revolutionary note but lasts for little time and entertainment kicks in soon after. Brahmanandam's comedy gives full kick to it. Overall, Jalsa is a complete entertainer. There is no question about it. If you are going with sky rocketed expectations, you might be in a little disappointment. One can enjoy the film top to bottom if they are going for good entertainment.