A controlling and overprotective Prakashraj wants his sons to marry according to his choice. He’s all about status, gouravam, patthadhi. The son falls in love with a middle-class woman. Her father, the only parent, dotes upon her. She means the world to him.
Does the hero manage to convince both houses and marry the woman of his choice? We know this as the story of Bommarillu. Sadly, this is also the main plot of Srirastu Subhamastu. The difference is that the latter has a dash of unpleasant moments, making it a vastly different experience.
*****
Srirastu Subhamastu has every single cliché from every single Telugu family entertainer. Except, thankfully, Brahmanandam. There’s the usual supporting artistes, a huge wedding setup, colourful palatial homes, and of course, the glue that binds – family values. Srirastu fails to spin this in any interesting way. Consequently, it’s devoid of novelty.
In all fairness, there is one new element. When the hero Sirish (Allu Sirish) first spots Lavanya Tripathi, she is licking dew off the grass.
Love blossoms. Obviously.
*****
The setting: A beautiful bungalow in Kashmir. Sirish meets Lavanya. Cut to a duet song. Cut to routine stalking scenes. Sirish uses the ludicrous sub-plot of ‘lost identity’ to get closer to Lavanya. It works of course.
Scenes are punctuated with sexual innuendos, body shaming, and slut shaming. The men in the audience love it. One even jumps on his seat with joy.
*****
Recommended
Rao Ramesh is a fine actor. Regardless of the film’s content, he stands out with a realistic performance. In one scene, he asks a friend to lend him money for Lavanya’s college fees. The friend agrees. Later, in a slightly quivering voice, he asks how much an iPhone would cost. He wants to give his daughter the best of everything. There isn’t a trace of insensitivity or greed in his expression.
In an otherwise lifeless film, Rao Ramesh, one of the best actors in Tollywood today, shines.
Allu Sirish, on the other hand, sticks to a deadpan face for the most part. At times, he tries to imitate some of his brother’s expressions, which simply doesn’t suit him. Nor does he have Allu Arjun’s dance moves.
*****
The problem with Srirastu is that it mistakes festivals and weddings for romantic comedy. Romantic scene? Plug a duet. Comedy? Plug an insult.
The best antidote to this film is another watch of last week’s release, the brilliant Pellichoopulu. Everything that Srirastu isn’t: fresh, natural, and genuinely funny.
*****
The Srirastu Subhamastu review is a Silverscreen original article. It was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the movie. Silverscreen.in and its writers do not have any commercial relationship with movies that are reviewed on the site.