Telugu Bodyguard Movie Review

“Bodyguard” …the movie that travelled all over India…First made in Malayalam with Dileep and Nayantaara...and then in Tamil with Vijay and Asin and then went on to become blockbuster in Hindi with Salman and Kareena. Finally here it is our Telugu version with Victory Venkatesh and Trisha playing the leads. While all other versions directed by Siddique, Telugu version is directed by Gopichand Malineni who debuted with Don Seenu (RaviTeja’s flick).

Let’s see how well it gets tuned to our Victory Venki!!

Plot: Venkatadri (Venkatesh) comes to a village Jammalamadugu to protect the landlord Varadarajula Naidu (PrakashRaj). He from there has to accompany his daughter Keerthi (Trisha) as a bodyguard to her college. While Keerthi is uncomfortable with Venkatadri, as he is interfering her privacy, she sketches a love trap to avoid him. Where does this silly game started by Keerthi leads to finally?

Venkatesh fits the Bodyguard to the core!!

Bodyguard as such has very thin storyline that bases upon a love track that runs on phone and builds up strong as emotional bond and finally there’s a twist unexpected. But there’s ample scope for the hero to go through variations from being stony bodyguard to sincere admirer to disheartened lover. And thus this subject becomes tailor made for Venkatesh. He brings his lovable comic timing during the first half where he acts as duty minded bodyguard wearing goggles and safari. He then slowly transforms into serious admirer of his phone friend. And finally who else can act better than Venki as a disheartened looser. It’s good to see Venky in all his shades after a long time. An apt remake that’s chosen for him.

Trisha like old wine is still able to make some eyes roll for sure. Her chemistry with Venkatesh comes handy here and that actually brings in believability in a phone-call love story. Saloni made her presence felt is much twisty role.

Venkatesh in his previous movies has hilarious combinations with PrakashRaj, MS Narayana and with Ali. This movie fondly reminds you those combinations. But sticking to original, director did not cook up many hilarious scenes. It would have been better if he did.

Kota, Tanikella and Dharmavarapu are limited.

Gopichand Malineni is good at his remake!!

Gopichand has good knowledge for local pulse and nativity. Firstly he treats his hero Venkatesh as King. Right from the first fight sequence, you will see how stylishly the director shows him.  Then he chooses good actors for the supporting roles which makes his job half done. So in transforming the plot to suit Venkatesh, there are some hilarious episodes like the one planned to discover the girl in ladies hostel, where Venki and Ali disguise as ladies and dances for "Poovai Poovai" from Dhookudu. That’s a pretty good surprise to watch out on screen. And as for love story, Chemistry of lead pair helped him lot to bring that feel which is clearly lacking in Hindi version.

First half moves with good pace with few hilarious scenes and you see interval just when the real love story begins. Second half starts with continuous duets and finally ends with an emotional half hour. Gopichand thus succeeds in remaking the film without losing flavor and also packaging it natively.

Other departments…

Thaman offers different tunes for Bodyguard when compared to his noisy numbers he gives for other films. “Jiya Jale” and “Hosanna” are really superb on screen with picturesque locations in the background. “Oh My God” and “Evvaro” are done in humorous way in college. Background score is brilliant. Shyam K Naidu provides rich cinematography. Kona Venkat as dialogue writer disappoints a bit. He should have been as hilarious as Trivikram to make the movie more appealing. There’s still scope for comedy as Venkatesh could pull it off with any dosage of it.

Finally…

Venki’s comedy timing and hilarious episodes designed, and his chemistry with Trisha are surely gonna appeal to audience especially those who have not watched any of the remakes of this flick before. There are few new things to look upon for those who are aware of the twists of the tale. But Bodyguard still deserves a watch just for Venkatesh if you have seen any remake.

Rating:

3.25/5 will appeal you more only if not seen any remake 


Oye by the way...Happy Sankranthi Friends....Have a great festive time!!