Bhagavanth Kesari: Where director Anil Ravipudi proves it’s possible to make a meaningful massy film

Bhagavanth Kesari, Nandamuri Balakrishna’s second release of the year after Veera Simha Reddy, is off to a fine start at the box office despite opening to mixed responses from critics. The film directed by Anil Ravipudi had him share screenspace alongside Kajal Aggarwal, Sreeleela and Arjun Rampal. Harish Peddi and Sahu Garapati produced the film under Shine Screens.

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Also read: Director Anil Ravipudi: With Bhagavanth Kesari, crowds will discover the performer in Sreeleela

The story gracefully gives Balakrishna a much-needed, timely makeover, helping him go beyond the era of templated scripts on faction wars. While it is ultimately a redemption saga on the lines of Baasha, the star gets to don the khaki, play a role closer to his age with director Anil Ravipudi smartly controlling his isms in the crucial moments. It indeed marks the beginning of a new era for Balakrishna.

One can’t help but be reminded of how, like Rajinikanth in Jailer, Balakrishna surrenders to the vision of a young filmmaker like a sincere student. The result indeed speaks for itself. It shows Anil Ravipudi can make a fanboy film while telling a purposeful story with well-defined character arcs for all the lead actors. The film widens the reach of a Balakrishna fare beyond his loyal fans.

While many don’t have kind things to say about the romance segments in Balakrishna’s recent outings, Anil Ravipudi uses Balakrishna-Kajal’s equation in Bhagavanth Kesari effectively to lighten up the proceedings. Though it’s an emotionally heavy film, the director treats the story with a lightness and restraint and gives viewers enough space to breathe in between the action sequences.

What’s more refreshing is how the director writes/treats his female characters in a film where the conflict is largely between the men. Bhagavanth Kesari preaches about good/bad touch, bats for women, asks them to have an identity of their own, build their careers before marriage. Even while settling scores in the climax, Sreeleela gets adequate scope to shine and pack a punch.

There are other interesting touches too - the references to law of nature, karma and the psychologist’s interpretation of the characters add more bite to the confrontation. Rahul Sanghvi wreaks havoc on his family but Bhagavanth Kesari bides his time for revenge and focuses on raising a girl responsibly. Destiny, inevitably, provides him an opportunity to have fun later.

The throwback to NTR’s songs and films like Missamma, Jeevitha Chakram’s Kallallo Kallu Petti and the occasional 80s Ilaiyaraaja track are good fun to watch. Despite the 164 minute duration that doesn’t go big on songs, the film is supremely entertaining sans any dull moment in the screenplay. Arjun Rampal does enough to add nuance to the villainy and isn’t just another Mumbai import.

The festive release should help Bhagavanth Kesari grab eyeballs but this is a film that would’ve had greater potential at the box office minus a clash with biggies like Leo, Tiger Nageswara Rao. Yet, Balakrishna fans can be assured of a hattrick in the star’s career and he’s truly in the form of his life. Through Anil Ravipudi, we finally have a mass filmmaker, who doesn’t underestimate his audiences.

Also read: Unstoppable with NBK Season 3 on OTT: Bhagavanth Kesari star Nandamuri Balakrishna returns as a talk show host