Ori Devuda review: Vishwak Sen is fantastic in an entertaining film about second chances in life

3/5

Story:

Arjun and Anu are inseparable friends since childhood who decide to get married one day. While Anu is keen on the marriage, Arjun says yes because he feels there’s no reason to say no to her. They tie the knot and Anu’s father even gets Arjun a job in his own company. However, Arjun struggles to accept a friend as his wife and the transition phase isn’t at all smooth. Their marriage takes a turn for the worse when Arjun is attracted to his school senior Meera. What’s in store for Arjun and Anu?

Review:

Stories of longstanding friendships transitioning into full-blown romances are as old as the hills in cinema. Is there any way to tell them differently? Director Ashwath Marimuthu believes so. He blends this rom-com with a touch of fantasy, offering its protagonist a second chance at love and helping him look at life in a different light. Ori Devuda benefits from the interesting twist to the genre and presents a fresh insight into interpersonal relationships with a stroke of humour.

The story is about a largely irresponsible youngster Arjun, who gets everything on a platter. From gaming to having a gala time with his friends and flunking his exams, he is never serious about life or his career. His childhood friend not only proposes marriage but also gets him a job at her father’s ceramic store. Arjun, who’s beyond his carefree days as a married man, feels the pinch and seeks greener pastures. Will it take a divine intervention for Arjun to appreciate his world better?

For the uninitiated, Ori Devuda is a faithful remake of the Tamil hit Oh My Kadavule. Though Oh My Kadavule may share similarities with Puri Jagannadh’s Devudu Chesina Manushulu, it’s still a story that deserves an audience across multiple languages. The USP of the film is the focused, engaging storytelling with the right bursts of enthusiasm, humour and depth.

Amid the chaos of everyday life, a story that tells ‘it’s okay to mess up, fall and you’ll still get a second chance’ feels like a balm. On a certain level, the film is an actualisation of the ‘familiarity breeds contempt’ belief in a visual form. When you take a step back and look at your life, world from a distance, you value it better and Ashwath sugarcoats this idea in an attractive form, without making it look preachy.

With an effortless writer like Tharun Bhascker penning the dialogues, the story feels even more impactful. Ori Devuda works well as a standalone, authentic Telugu film as much as a remake and it’s not a piece of cake to achieve that effect. The tone of the film is livelier and chirpier in Telugu, the casting is as good as the original and the technical finesse in the cinematography, production design shows. It also reflects the maker’s attempt to understand his target audience.

While Ashwath makes this a film about Arjun’s self-realisation, the first hour of the film can also be looked at as a cautionary tale of marriages born out of friendships. Though friendship is a good foundation for any marriage, the film partly shows the challenges to sustain that camaraderie later. It’s an equally dicey situation for a man like Arjun, who has to work in a store owned by his wife’s father. The director smartly avoids this issue by painting Arjun as an insensitive man and changing the direction of the story later.

Yet, one has to give it to Ashwath - he’s a clever storyteller. He knows when to pack a punch with emotional depth, give the space for his characters to breathe and still make the film feel like a laughter ride. Look at how he weaves in a beautiful backstory behind the ceramic store of Anu’s father and uses it as a tool to help Arjun introspect on life again and you’ll know he’s a talent to watch out for. However, he could’ve still avoided the staple ‘mass-pleasing’ fight sequence in the lodge.

2022 is turning out to be a dream year for Vishwak Sen. While he satiated the performer in him with Ashoka Vanamlo Arjuna Kalyanam, he plays a spoilt lover boy to perfection in Ori Devuda. He’s come a long distance as an actor and it’s time that he makes choices like Ashoka Vanamlo.. and Ori Devuda count, plan his career wisely henceforth. Mithila Palkar, in a tailormade role of a mature yet free-spirited urban woman, sparkles with her screen presence in her Telugu debut.

Asha Bhat gets the more interesting role among the female leads and she brings dignity to the part of an aspirant director who leads life on her own terms. Murli Sharma continues his blistering form again and all he needs is one well-written sequence to steal the show - he gets that here and does wonders with it. Venkatesh Kakumanu is effective in a role that has more to it than being the ‘hero’s friend’ and he gets many moments to shine.

Nagineedu, Rajashree Nair, Rahul Ramakrishna play their brief parts with assurance. Venkatesh has a blast with his special appearance, yes, but the director goes too far in lending a comical touch to the character. Vidhu Ayyanna’s cinematography, Satish Krishnan’s choreography for Gundellona and Leon James’ beautiful album are proof that Ori Devuda gets its little details right.

Review:

Ori Devuda is good, light-hearted fun starring a terrific Vishwak Sen. Mithila Palkar and Asha Bhat make assured beginnings with their Telugu debuts while Venkatesh Kakumanu, Murli Sharma are excellent in supporting roles. Director Ashwath Marimuthu proves that a well-made film can always stand its ground and have its charm, even if it’s a remake.