It is high time that filmmakers rethink on what they are making in the name of two hero cinema.
Prabhatha Rigobertha
Koratala Siva is a director who is known for taking social backdrops and giving them a commercial garnishing. It is a formula that paid rich diligence in films like Mirchi and Janata Garage. Here too you have the trademark Koratala Siva elements. There is naxalism and uranium mining among other aspects. The fights and the dances are also there but the missing link here is a solid base that binds the story together. The first half in particular is a big drag where nothing much happens. The second half is definitely far better but that is not enough to salvage the film.
The plot of Acharya revolves around a town with a mythical past. You have two settlements Dharmasthali and Paadaghattam. Both of them are surrounded by dense forests and a sparkling river. Mahesh Babu’s voice over at the start gives the audience an understanding of the town’s past. Now Dharmasthali has become Adharmasthali after Ramcharan’s Siddha disappeared from there.
Acharya has the elements but the mixing has gone terribly wrong. It is high time that filmmakers rethink on what they are making in the name of two hero cinema.
Sonu Sood is once again the dreaded antagonist. But it is hard to imagine him as a villain particularly after the humanitarian work that he did during the first wave of COVID.
Jisshu Sengupta plays another forgettable part after last year’s Shyam Singha Roy.
Coming back to the story the people of Dharmasthali are waiting for a savior who will restore dharma. It is at this juncture that Chiranjeevi’s Acharya enters the town. The rest of the plot is about what the connection between Acharya and Siddha is, and how dharma is restored.
The scenes featuring these two are good to watch. They are in perfect sync with each other.
The lifeline of Acharya is without a doubt the back-story of Ramcharan and his connection with Acharya. The scenes featuring these two are good to watch. They are in perfect sync with each other, whether it is the stunt sequences or the dance number Bhale bhale Banjara. The song is no Natu Natu but still it is fun to watch them shaking a leg.
There are certain moments in the film where you can see Chiranjeevi’s eyes swell with pride. This happens particularly in the scenes where Ramcharan’s Siddha holds forth on what is right and wrong, and goes to any length to save someone of his ilk. Putrotsaaham.
As Siddha Ramcharan once again delivers a formidable performance, his growth from a boy in Gurukul to the eventual transformation is well etched. There is a scene towards the end of the flashback regarding Ramcharan’s character. It is a moment that will make you feel emotional.
As Acharya Chiranjeevi shows that he has still got it in him to play a leading man. The intensity and the screen presence are still very much there. His dance moves are also fluid.
The sets of Dharmastali are visually grand. The art work and the cinematography are a feast to the eyes.
The biggest minus of Acharya is the lackluster first half.
The biggest minus of Acharya is the lackluster first half. Nothing much happens after setting up the plot. Acharya’s interactions with the people are nothing great.
The characters of the town people on either side has been hardly explored by the director, they are used as props to elevate Chiranjeevi.
As a result it is difficult to feel any emotion for the suffering that they are undergoing. This is sad because you have a bunch of talented actors like Tanikella Bharani and Ajay but they are wasted.
Pooja Hedge plays an extended version of what Alia Bhatt did in RRR.
The love story between Ramcharan and Pooja Hegde is also done in a haphazard manner. The chemistry is good but you don’t root for the couple.
Pooja Hedge plays an extended version of what Alia Bhatt did in RRR. She is beautiful to look at but you will forget her character as soon as the movie is finished.
The villains are poorly etched; they are no match for the mega duo.
In a nutshell Acharya has the elements but the mixing has gone terribly wrong. It is high time that filmmakers rethink on what they are making in the name of two hero cinema.
Rigobertha Prabhatha is a student of English Literature and writes on movies, books, web series etc on social media platforms and runs his own You Tube channel named ‘prabhathalovesmovies’. Currently working as Content Writer at Pudami Publications based in Hyderabad. email : rprabhatha@gmail.com
Good analysis. We booked tickets for first day itself,later we dropped the idea of investing our time in theatre after came to know the ratings.
Happy that you liked the review