'Dammu' (Telugu)

Film "Dammu"; Producer: K.S.Rama Rao; Screenplay-Director: Boyapati Sreenu; Music: M.M. Keervani; Camera: Arthur A Wilson; Dialogues: M. Rathnam; Cast: Jr. NTR, Thrisha, Karthika, Kota Sreenivasa Rao, Nasser, Brahmanandam, Ali, Bhanupriya, Thanikella Bharani and others; Rating: **1/2

After giving two unsuccessful films at the box-office, Jr. NTR's "Dammu" was expected to turn the tide for the actor, who is known for his fierce dialogue delivery and top class action and dances. 

The trailers of the film and the speeches made by NTR and director Sreenu during the audio release function of the film had also aroused lot of expectations but unfortunately the final product does not match the hype created around the release.

The plot of the film is inspired by Dharmendra-Hema Malini starrer 1972 film "Raja Jani", that was remade as "Adutha Varisu" in Tamil with superstar Rajinikanth in the lead. 

The screenplay lacks freshness and all the sequences are written to highlight the hero and his real life family background. Even granting that such eulogical references to the film hero's dynastic background is acceptable in Telugu films, "Dammu" has a greater level of flattery of the Nandamuri family.

Ramachandra is a peace loving young orphan, who desires to make good money and have a settled life. He meets Ashwini and it's love at first sight. But he has to show Ashwini's father how rich he is. Meanwhile, a Royal family from a distant village wants to adopt a youngster as a legal heir. Ramachandra goes to the palace and he gets adopted by the family.

However, he learns that his adopted family is at loggerheads with another influential family in the neighbouring village. Now it is up to Ramachandra to get justice for his village without being violent. 

What are the challenges and dilemma he faces in accomplishing his goals leads to the climax of the film.

NTR plays a larger than life role in "Dammu" and his dynamic performance, action and dialogues are the mainstay of the film. The film boasts of a lot of action, which might not impress the family audiences.

The film lacks engaging comedy elements despite the presence of artists like Brahmanandam and Ali. 

The emotional sequences in the second half does not gel with the narration. The two heroines Thrisha and Karthika have lesser scope to perform.

Nasser plays the villain's role to perfection. Kota, Bharani and Bhanupriya make an impact despite smaller roles.

The film is rich in production values and that is the prime reason for the film's enhanced quality quotient.

"Dammu" may not be for those who are against too much of action and violence. But if you are a Nandamuri fan, then there are lot of elements in the film that you can enjoy. Perhaps this factor may be the key for the success of the film.