BOTTOM LINE
Boya’s Mass Template
OUR RATING
2.5/5
CENSOR
U/A, 2h 47m
What Is the Film About?
The daughters of the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chief Ministers are kidnapped by a guy (Ram). Who is the guy, and why does he go to this extent? The connection of this kidnap with Rudraganti Rama Krishna Raju (Srikanth), Chairman of Crown Group of Companies, is the movie’s overall plot.
Performances
Ram, known for his soft looks, had done ‘oora’ mass roles from time to time right from his debut. In Skanda, he enters into mass director Boyapati Sreenu zone, an entirely different, over-the-top space. With that in mind, kudos to the actor for coming up with the bulky look. Ram looks slightly off initially, but one gets used to it as the proceedings take over.
What is also noticeable is we see shades of Boyapati Sreenu’s heroes from his previous flicks in Ram. It shows the actor’s adaptability to the director’s requirements. Apart from that, the energy associated with Ram is also consistently present throughout. Ram tries his best, in the end, to pull off the mass heaviness or the overload of Boyapati Sreenu and succeeds.
Sreeleela’s fabulous screen presence shines in ‘Skanda.’ Her glamorous appeal and dancing skills make her ideal for commercial mass entertainers. However, the team only utilized her dancing talent in the song ‘Gandarabai.
Analysis
Boyapati Sreenu, known for his over-the-top mass flicks, directs Skanda. It is another addition to his list and a first with hero Ram.
Although routine mass action fares, Boyapati Sreenu is known for his packaging them with neat setups. Skanda is also no different, with a larger-than-life setting involving the two Telugu states Chief Ministers.
The director takes time to establish the world as it is huge and has many characters. As a result, the beginning generates curiosity about where it’s headed or what lies ahead. Therefore, the real ones driving the narrative arrive a bit later than usual. Once they come on the scene, it is business as usual for Boyapati Sreenu.
Be it the initial love track involving the lead pair or the not-so-subtle mass elevations, Boyapati Sreenu’s mark is throughout. It is also why one feels an exaggerated feeling of routineness, but the execution doesn’t let one think of the issues until the arrival of the songs. They act like speedbreakers.
The momentum gradually builds towards the interval, and then we have the big bang, literally. One imagines an over-the-top moment, and the director still manages to beat it with his visuals. The issue, however, is with the BGM, as there is a lingering feeling regarding the impact. Could it have been more with a fresh, bombastic score?
Post-intermission, the narrative gets further into the template mode with the revelation behind the acts of the first hour via a flashback. It is routine, but the casting setting and real-life relatability make it passable nonetheless.
There is no dearth of action, and it follows any significant event simultaneously in the narrative. They get progressively louder and exaggerated, but one is already tuned to it.
The ending, again, is on a predictable note, but is okay. Skanda is a movie for the masses that treads a predictable path. There is no novelty, but the action, background and slick production values bring a fresh tinge.
Overall, Skanda is a routine mass entertainer in the typical Boyapati Sreenu style. If you love mass movies and know his style, the film offers everything one expects from him except with weaker songs and BGM.
Performances by Others Actors
Like any other Boyapati Sreeny film, Skanda, too, is heavy on the supporting cast side. Many known faces appear in brief roles like Srikanth, Prince, Indraja, Gauthami, etc. Everyone does their part adequately, but Srikanth easily stands out due to the emotional resonance of the part despite the routineness. The rest of the actors are also okay.
Music and Other Departments?
The songs by Thaman are a disappointment audio-wise. However, on-screen, they appear okay visually, especially a couple of them. However, the more significant difference is the background score. For a mass movie, the BGM has to elevate the proceedings. He tries, but it is more in a template zone that doesn’t freshen up the proceedings.
The movie is slickly and richly mounted like other Boyapati Sreenu actioners. Santosh Detake brings up the colour palette seen usually in the director’s films, adding to the grand production values. The editing could have been sharper, considering the length.
A couple of songs (one in each half) are choreographed neatly. The rest of the songs have an outdated vibe, even visually. The dialogue looks forced, which isn’t unusual and par for the course for the mass entertainer.
Highlights?
Ram’s Energy
Boyapati Mark Mass Action Blocks
Ram and Sreelela’s Gandarabai dance
Drawbacks?
Routine Template Proceedings
Weak BGM
Songs
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, in parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, if you’re a die-hard action fan and don’t mind the formula
Skanda Movie Review by M9
Final Report:
Skanda, while offering nothing particularly new, caters to the target mass audience and makes for a one-time watch due to its high-octane action sequences and a bit of drama. A BGM on par with current standards could have further elevated the film.
First Half Report:
Skanda’s first half is a typical Boyapati style mass actioner with a couple of heavy-duty mass blocks. They lack the thumping BGM to elevate them further. The interval sets things for Boya Mass to go to the next level in the second half. Let’s see.
— Skanda started with a courtroom verdict, in which a well-known software industrialist was unjustly punished due to blackmail, setting the stage for the central storyline. Stay tuned for the first half report.
Stay tuned for Skanda Review, USA Premiere Report Shortly.
Skanda is an all-out mass film in Boyapati’s signature style, featuring the energetic Ram and the popular Sreeleela. Boyapati Srinu is coming off a blockbuster like ‘Akhanda,’ and Ram is in need of a comeback after his previous setback with ‘Warriorr’. Will Boyapati achieve the same success as his heavy-mass films with Balayya when working with a young hero like Ram? Let’s see.
Cast: Ram Pothineni, Sreeleela, Saiee Manjrekar, Prince Cecil
Writer, Director: Boyapati Sreenu
Producer: Srinivasaa Chitturi
Banner: Srinivasaa Silver Screen
Presents: Zee Studios, Pavan Kumar
Music: Thaman S
Cinematographer: Santosh Detake
Editor: Tammiraju
Action: Stun Siva
Choreography: Prem Rakshith Master
