Guntur Kaaram (2024) movie review

 Guntur Kaaram is a movie with both good and not-so-good aspects. Mahesh Babu's lively acting is a standout, but the film has trouble putting everything together in a way that really grabs your emotions. Even though the cinematography is impressive and there are funny parts, the story itself doesn't have enough depth, and it leaves you wishing for more.

Guntur Kaaram movie review

Ramana, played by Mahesh Babu, went through a tough childhood after his mother, Vyra Vasundhara (Ramya Krishna), left him and his father for unknown reasons. Vasundhara later remarried. When Ramana grows up, his influential grandfather, Venkataswamy (Prakash Raj), insists that he cut all ties with his mother. The big questions: Why did Vasundhara leave Ramana, and how did he deal with his grandfather's demands while longing for his mother's love?

Directed by the well-known writer-director Trivikram Srinivas, Guntur Kaaram features Mahesh Babu, Sreeleela, and Meenakshi Chaudhary in important roles. Despite its high anticipation and release during Sankranti, the film doesn't quite live up to expectations because of its weak storyline and lack of emotional depth. However, Mahesh Babu's lively performance adds some charm for his fans.

Trivikram's attempt to mix family drama with commercial elements results in a story that feels a bit all over the place, not excelling as either a heartfelt drama or a complete entertainer. The dialogues have their moments, some impactful and others not so much. There are some light-hearted comedy scenes with Mahesh Babu, Sreeleela, and Vennela Kishore that bring occasional amusement.

Mahesh takes on the role of Vyra Venkata Ramana Reddy and brings a magnetic energy to the screen. Sreeleela, playing Amutya aka Ammu, dazzles with her dancing and stunning looks. However, the story and the romantic side of things feel a bit flat. Meenakshi, portraying Raji, doesn't get much screen time. The star-studded cast, including Ramya Krishna, Jayaram, Prakash Raj, Jagapathi Babu, Vennela Kishore, Rao Ramesh, Easwari Rao, Murali Sharma, Sunil, Rahul Ravindran, and others, deliver solid performances.

S Thaman's music and background score reflect the film's ups and downs. Whether it's intentional or a sound mixing issue, the audio seems a bit off. Cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa does well with his camera work, especially the continuous follow-through shots. However, the overall result could have benefited from better editing.