Bangarraju Movie Review, A Good Sequel, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Naga Chaitanya, Krithi Shetty

Storyline 

Chinna Bangarraju (Naga Chaitanya) is the grandson of Bangarraju (Nagarjuna). Mr. Bangarraju and his wife Satyabhama (Ramya Krishna) watch from the sky as their grandchildren lead a solitary life in their village. Sattamma asks her husband Sr. Bangarraju to go to earth and help their granddaughter Chinna Bangarraju in her love story with Naga Lakshmi (Krithi Shetty). 

 Meanwhile, Lord Yama has a plan to send Sr. Bangarraju to another job. Will visiting as a spirit make things right?

  Analysis

  'Bangarraju' picks up from where the 2016 blockbuster 'Soggade Chinni Nayana' left off. Like the original, 'Bangarraju' is set on a familiar story that we have seen in many films. Frankly, family dramas never care about story or originality, they just depend on entertainment and general packaging.

  The sequel has the same color structure. What it lacks is effective entertainment. Director Kalyan Krishna had plenty of fun moments in his debut film Soggade Chinni Nayana, but his writing in the sequel leaves something to be desired. There are no laugh out loud moments. 

 If the director's idea was to focus on Bangarraju's grandson who flirts like his grandfather, he should have written a contemporary romantic theme between Naga Chaitanya and Krithi Shetty. The usual 'gillikajjalu' drama doesn't help much. There was fun in Bangarraju's son Ramu not appearing in the 'romance' (2016 film) but despite being the grandson Casanova, he gets the romance part wrong.

  Moreover, the point of conflict is not strong. The film wanders without direction for the most part. The innately great structure of the story and the two lead actors are the saving grace of this ordinary drama.

Nagarjuna'

 Even though he doesn't have much of a role, Nagarjuna is in his element. He brings the Bangarraju bayonet to life well.

  Naga Chaitanya follows his father's path and does good work. He behaves well.  Ramya Krishna adds charm. Not much to say about the other actors.

  Anup Rubens' music works in favor of the film. It has given tunes that will click with the target audience. 'Vaadi Vaadi Tassadiyya' and 'Laddu Unda' look good on screen. Cinematography is also good. 

 Bangarraju' is a pretty ordinary blockbuster sequel. The charisma and panache of Nagarjuna and Naga Chaitanya is the saving grace of this cliched drama. Although it may not match the original, this would make a good watch for the festival period.