Darling Review

‘ Darling ‘ brings together the peculiar combination of a Director Karunakaran who could only make Love Stories and a 6-feet tall 6-pack hero Prabhas whose hit movies are only Action movies so far.

So this brought a sort of curiosity as to watch out "who goes in who’s way".

Let us check out whether Darling has any chances to enjoy this hot summer coolly.

Story:

We all know that Karunakaran only makes love stories. But if we closely observe he repeatedly cooked same love story every time

i.e. “A care-free irresponsible Hero falls for a studious and responsible girl..After all the pranks and efforts of the hero, the heroine discloses her love just in the climax”. Yes offcourse this is the story of Tholiprema,Vasu,Ullasamga Utsahanga and no points for the guesses same story for the Darling too! However he comes up with different treatment each time, just to roam around the bush for telling the same.

So here Prabhas loves his childhood friend Nandini(Kajal).How he impresses her and wins her finally forms the two halves of the movie. Though sounds the same old story,Karukaran tried a little different screenplay in first half. Atleast that need to be watched on screen instead of me telling the same.

Actors :

Prabhas did complete justice to the lover boy’s role. He, this time stepped into shoes of Family hero Venkatesh.He fights well when needed.Dances well when asked for.He along with his friends makes you laugh just as Venky used to do.Good both we and him got a relief from his regular action stuff.

But..But one could feel that’s not just enough .There are quite a few scenes where Prabhas looks just struck!!.Reason might be few scenes where director himself has no clarity. Actually Prabhas should by now be able to cover such gaps!But Still his sincere effort to try new waters will be appreciated highly.

Kajal Agarwal does well in the looks department.But she just scores pass marks in terms of performance,Especially in the first half. 'Come on Kajal,just wake up before you are washed away by Samantha’s magic..'

Tamil Actor Prabhu acted well in the role of Prabhas’s father.Chandramohan made his presence felt.

Ahuthi Prasad,MS Narayana,Dharmavarapu,Kota are just ok.

Shradda Das has brief appearance,while Mukesh Rishi ends up as comedian though makes his entry as villain.

Small kid who did the role of Kajal’s brother is promising.

Prabhas’ gang could evoke few smiles all over.

Direction:

Karunakaran has set a bench mark for love stories with his debut “TholiPrema” .Sadly he himself could not even try hard to reach it.In Darling, He could not really make audience connect to the love episode so strongly. Throughout the movie, he conceived the love angle as a race that could be achieved in certain timeline and so at least the feel which is there in his earlier movies is not carried in any moment .

However he could manage to win the family audience making use of sentiment scenes in the last hour.

Analysis :

There is nothing offered in First half except for locales of Swiss. Actual “story!!” begins post interval.

Every piece of the second half is almost predictable. Yes when you expect a fight,Hero jumps into an action episode and then dances for a dream sequence following it just to complete your guess. Whenever you expect a twist,Luckily you won’t find it.

Movie takes a little dramatic turn with the episode involving Chandramohan’s Daughter. Director utilized this episode efficiently to unite the lead pair and at the same time convey some nice messages about the Parental affection and Value of friendship.

Positive Points:

Prabhas carried the movie on his shoulders to greater extent.

GV Prakash nephew of ARRehman scored the music .Songs are just ok. Costumes and concepts behind the few songs are good. Especially idea of snowfall in hyderabad is very nice.I liked “Ho Saahorey” .

Cinematography by Andrew could capture nice locales from Swiss and Araku.

Fights by Peter Heines are impressive.Three Action episodes are inserted well.Very First one in the Market is good.

Few dialogues had good response.My pick : “Switzerland lo kooda Slum untadani teliyadu ra…” “Match Stick lightening”

Overall the last 40 min, the emotional graph is conceived in better way compared to the whole movie.

Drawbacks:

The costumes(in routine scenes) used for Prabhas are dull .I guess the night shirts we wear in home are far better.Costumes in songs are good.

Silly first half,Predictable second half,Mediocre Back ground Music. etc and etc.

Lack of depth in the love episodes,Especially it is a disappointing effort from Karunakaran

Final verdict:

“Parledu”..”Baane undi” “okka saari choodochu”..Yes these are the phrases that ring in your mind once you are out from the theatre.

A Bit different Screen Play(I wonder some might not even digest it), few hiralious episodes and few good scenes in later half,Prabhas factor might provide it decent mileage this summer.

One can watch it once for Different Prabhas and also Time Pass!!

Rating:

3 points for Second half and 2 for the first.If Second half leaves a better impact ,then it is 3.

Otherwise go for the Maths(A+B/2)..;)