4/5   

Film: Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu
Starring: Venkatesh,Mahesh babu,Samantha,Anjali,Prakash Raj,Jayasudha
Director: Srikanth Addala
Producer: Dil Raju
Banner: Sri Venkateswara Creations
Music: Mickey.J.Meyer

The most awaited multistarrer movie of the season Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu has been released worldwide on a grand scale today and here is SVSC movie review. Venkatesh and Mahesh Babu has teamed as brothers in the film directed by Srikanth Addala and produced by Dil Raju on Sri Venkateswara Creations banner.

Combo of Venkatesh and Mahesh Babu is so big and audience expect more of family elements when Dil Raju and Srikant Addala are a team with Mickey J Meyer. Bring the Pongal season, let us see how far this multi star flick will break the new ground in Tollywood

In the Movie SVSC: Story is set in the backdrop of Relangi, a village in West Godavari district where a good humanitarian Relangi Mavayya (Prakash Raj) and his sweet family is so close to each and everyone. His family consists of wife (Jayasudha), two sons Peddodu (Venkatesh) cum Chinnodu (Mahesh Babu), mother (Rohini Hettangadi), daughter-in-law Seetha (Anjali) and daughter (Abhinaya). While Peddodu is a straight forward person whose attitude does not bend for anybody, Chinnodu is peppery, humorous and an expert in handling babes.

Peddodu resigns his job in Vizag and returns to live with family. Seetha has enormous liking towards Peddodu and is waiting for time to marry him while Chinnodu is making job trials in Hyderabad. They have a close relative family of wealthy man (Rao Ramesh), who cannot understand or like the middle class feel good philosphy of Mavayya and his family. Problems begin when Peddodu is insulted in his sister (Abhinaya)'s marriage while Chinnodu is already in love with Rao Ramesh's daughter Geeta (Samantha). Next level of story what kind of small, temporary ego misunderstandings creep between these Rama-Lakshmana like brothers? How and when story takes a happy turn with Lord Sri Rama and Seetha Devi blessings in Bhadrachalam to unite brothers with their lady counterparts.

Out of the Movie SVSC: For general audience who have addicted to the format of commercial cinema, this one is an odd pick. There are no hero build ups, high voltage action scenes and exquisite cum spicy grooving numbers. SVSC is made out of a simple story with no big point in it. In fact, this is the grey area which hindered the emotional connectivity in few scenes. There is no big pain for viewers to experience at any point of time during the entire narration. Of course, when Srikant has such a big bunch of seasoned artists, audience will obviously go in tears even for slightest of the emotion displayed without a justified reason behind the drama. Director has also failed to provide a climax solution for the unemployment problem of heroes which was the crux of all problems.

First half was pacy with enough comedy and other entertainment values introducing the characters one by one. Second half which required more of substantiation in drama was dragged too much. Even then best part was never did Mahesh and Venky came out of their character shades. Overall, SVSC is a feel good family entertainer with no great story. It was just a play of an ensemble of family emotions which run even without logics and reasoning. All credits fo Dil Raju and Srikant Addala.

For Pongal season, families will definitely queue up at theatres for SVSC due to magnificient starcast and a new projection of simple yet beautiful and quality emotions. While Overseas and Metros will lap up this kind of flicks (generally, this is the style of Sekhar Kammula), B & C centres might prefer more to 'Naayak.' Let us wait for final result in next two weeks.

Plus Points :

First, director Srikanth Addala and producer Dil Raju deserve applause for having the courage and the determination to mount such a project in this day and age. Their efforts are evident and it is a treat to see Venkatesh and Mahesh Babu together on the big screen.

Venkatesh is at his best as the straightforward and emotional elder brother. He looks macho, performs with ease in the emotional scenes and brings a lot of dignity to the movie. His scenes with Anjali have been conceived very nicely.

Mahesh Babu is very cool as the handsome and witty younger brother. His godavari district slang and clever one liners will stand out in the film and he succeeds in making people laugh. His romantic scenes with Samantha are brilliant. During the closing stages of the movie, Venkatesh and Mahesh Babu displayed great chemistry as siblings and their performance in the Bhadrachalam episode is a treat to watch.

Samantha is beautiful and adorable in this movie. Her cute expressions and romantic scenes with Mahesh Babu make you want to root for her. Anjali is good as the innocent Seetha. Her expressions are pleasant and she has very good screen presence.

Prakash Raj has done a great job as the father. He is dignified and classy. Jayasudha is neat. Rao Ramesh is highly effective as the jealous and arrogant guy. Murali Mohan, Rohini Hattangadi, Ravi Babu and Tanikella Bharani are good.

The film has beautiful emotions – the bond between brothers, the care shown by an uncle for his niece, the concern shown by a mother for her good but emotional son. It is these emotions and the pleasant nature of the film that pull you in so convincingly.

Middle class family ambiance has been shown realistically and convincingly. The first half of the film goes by at a nice and breezy pace. All the songs in the movie have been shot well.

There are some heart touching scenes in the movie, like the one where Venkatesh and Mahesh Babu want to express their affection for each other but hold back due to personal reservations.

Minus Points :

There is a slight lag in narration in the second half. It is not uncomfortable, but it can be felt. The film needs to be watched without expecting any of the traditional heroism associated with Venkatesh and Mahesh Babu. If you go looking for that ,you may be disappointed.

Great emphasis is placed on family bonding and human emotions and traditional commercial elements take a back seat here.

Technical Aspects :

Guhan’s cinematography is outstanding in the movie. The visuals are rich and colourful and the frame appears very rich. Mickey J Meyer’s music is an asset for the movie. Editing is decent. Dialogues have been written very well.

Srikanth Addala’s success lies not in brilliant storytelling, but in patiently weaving a family drama that balances Venkatesh and Mahesh Babu well. It is not an easy thing to do in this day and age.

Verdict :

Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu is a beautifully woven tale of human emotions. The film is a must watch, just to see Venkatesh and Mahesh Babu bond so well on the big screen if not for anything else. Good performances from the lead cast, clean family drama and some nice emotional moments are big bonuses. Don’t go in expecting traditional heroism from Venkatesh and Mahesh Babu. On the whole, SVSC is a Sankranthi entertainer that you need to watch with your family.A Nice Emotional Family Film.