Kushi is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Shiva Nirvana. Produced by Naveen Yerani and Y. Ravi Shankar under the production banner Mythri Movie Makers, the film stars Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu with Sachin Khedekar, Saranya Ponvannan and Murali Sharma in supporting roles.
The music is composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab, while the cinematography and editing are handled by Murali G. and Prawin Pudi, respectively.
Story :
Viplav (Vijay Deverakonda) and Aradhya (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) fall in love, only to realise that they and their families are poles apart. Happy in love, will these two manage to make their relationship work?
Shiva Nirvana`s movie doesn`t delve into groundbreaking concepts; instead, it revolves around the everyday and trivial challenges encountered by individuals in their relationships. Numerous films such as Chalte Chalte, Alaipayuthey, Akele Hum Akele Tum, and many others have previously tackled this theme. However, Shiva Nirvana approaches it with a lighthearted touch, particularly in the second half of the film.
The storyline seems to skim over issues without allowing them to resonate deeply. It consistently hurries to introduce a comedic twist or launch into a musical number, ensuring that the feel-good essence remains intact. However, as the film progresses, it becomes increasingly predictable, which somewhat diminishes its impact. Anticipating the next turn of events can make the movie feel somewhat less exhilarating at times.
Even the portrayal of the middle-class setting and the influence of the older couple (played by Rohini and Jayaram), who encourage the younger couple to view the bigger picture beyond their everyday conflicts, bears a resemblance to narratives seen in movies like Alaipayuthey and Okay Kanmani.
Interestingly, the director brilliantly infused how Vijay Deverakonda is a fan of Mani Ratnam films, and thus makes repeated references to the above films, including Roja, and Dil Se. Kushi experiences a shake-up when the parents intervene. There`s a moment when a father responds with a somewhat I-told-you-so` remark upon learning of an unfortunate incident, choosing ego over emotional support. It serves as a portrayal of the human tendency to prioritize pride. The resolution of the conflict and the convergence of characters with opposing viewpoints occur in the final act.
Although executed brilliantly, the filmmaker could have handled the Kerala segment more effectively. Even the scenes depicting Vijay Deverakonda`s efforts to woo Samantha could have benefited from more refined scripting. Nonetheless, I couldn`t help but be entertained by the amusing albeit somewhat cinematic and silly situations presented in the first half of the film.
What worked:
Vijay Deverakonda & Samantha s chemistry, amusing albeit somewhat cinematic and silly situations giving feel-good moments.
Overall:
This delightful romantic musical is elevated by its charismatic leads, Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha. It had the potential to stand out even further had it delved deeper into the thought-provoking conflict between science and religion with additional consideration and effort.
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