Khiladi review: Ravi Teja's unapologetic action entertainer delivers a bang for your buck

3/5

Story:

Pooja is a psychology student who tries to help a friend with a thesis on a prisoner Mohan Gandhi, who had allegedly murdered his wife Chitra. After initial hesitation, Gandhi opens up about his past and tells how he was framed in a crime he didn't commit. Using her father's influence, Pooja helps Gandhi get a bail, only to receive a rude shock that she has been conned all along. What is Gandhi upto?

Review:

Cinema, regardless of labels like mainstream or arthouse, works best when there's conviction in the storytelling and you truly believe in what you set out to tell. Writer, director Ramesh Varma Penmatsa is quite clear with his priorities in Khiladi. He plays to the demands of the masses, cares two hoots for logic and is only here to entertain. 

The script is tailormade to exploit Ravi Teja's strengths - his terrific spontaneity, comic timing, and dialogue delivery get ample showcase in Khiladi. Yet with this masala fare, the filmmaker gives audiences more than what they would expect from a quintessential Ravi Teja film, thanks to his taut, engaging screenplay packed with smart twists that is certain to keep you on the edge of your seats. 

Deception is at the heart of Khiladi - there's more to it than meets the eye and the film keeps us guessing regularly. The first half is exactly what a Ravi Teja film is meant for, unapologetic entertainment - a near-perfect blend of comedy, dance, mischief, well-written dialogues, romance. Even while letting the lead actor have fun and perform sans inhibitions, the director doesn't let him go overboard and keeps the proceedings reasonably understated.

A delicious twist turns the film on its head in the interval, giving every reason for the audience to wait for the latter half. This is masala cinema at its very best and Ramesh Varma looks in prime form in understanding the must-haves of the genre. The director does a reasonably good job of keeping Khiladi's momentum intact later. 

The twists and surprises continue with a few occasional jerks and Khiladi doesn't give you much reason to complain. Even while packaging a screenplay relying on mind games and deception, there are enough adrenaline-pumping action sequences that constitute a big-screen experience. Khiladi is wonderfully shot and the makers have left no stone unturned to lend a classy outlook to the slick screenplay.

Khiladi is a relief to watch because it has a lead character that doesn't believe in preaching, having any emotional baggage. Mohan Gandhi, as a character, is only after money and terms it the love of his life. Unlike Kick where Surender Reddy tried to force an emotional basis behind the protagonist's actions, Ramesh Varma sells Mohan Gandhi as a grey character and doesn't chase idealism. It's a sign that times have changed.

The film looks more a paid holiday for Ravi Teja and we mean it in a good way. He enjoys the badass avatar, being the conman and the enthusiasm definitely shows on the screen. Arjun Sarja, as a cop, doesn't get to do anything out of the box as much but is convincing within the limitations of the story. Vennela Kishore, Anasuya, Murali Sharma share terrific on-screen camaraderie and are extremely efficient even while cast in unconventional roles.

Devi Sri Prasad does exactly what's expected of him - nothing more, nothing less. The female leads Meenakshi Chaudhary, Dimple Hayathi may be there to show off their glamourous side more than acting chops though surprisingly they get meaty parts that are crucial to the story. Unni Mukundan is strictly okay in a brief role while Mukesh Rishi, Rao Ramesh shine in whatever little they get.

However, the real hero of the film is its writer, director Ramesh Varma who continues his winning momentum after a commendable attempt like Rakshasudu. 

Verdict:

Go, watch Khiladi at the theatres and have fun! Director Ramesh Varma delivers everything that's expected of a Ravi Teja film but the topping on the cake is the superb screenplay packed with delicious twists.