April 03, 2009 Tapaswi
Rating: ***.5 (***** Very Good, **** Good, *** Fair, ** Average, * Bad)Cast: Prabhas, Krishnam Raju, Anushka, Hansika, Namitha, Jayasudha, Supreet, Kelly Dorge, Raghu, Rehman, Ali, Subbaraju and Others.
Art: A S Prakash.
Cinematography: Soundarrajan.
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh.
Action: Stun Shiva.
Music: Mani Sharma.
Producers: Narendra & Prabodh.
Screenplay & Direction: Meher Ramesh.
Presenter: Dr. Krishnam Raju.
Banner: Gopikrishna Movies Pvt. Ltd.
Release Date: 03-April-2009
Looks like Meher Ramesh could not muster courage to tell Krishnam Raju that he doesn't suit the role, so eventually it is the audience who had to go through the pain of seeing an ageing actor have thrilling moments sharing screen place with his nephew. Imagine Krishnam Raju in rolled up half sleeves, a thick mop of hair et al coaching Prabhas to punch and teaching tricks of the trade. There is more like watching him wrapped up in squeaky white towel in a sauna and then slipping away in a hood. No soul in his voice or no mobility in his role. Well those are only the slightly painful or funny moments otherwise Billa is a treat to watch. Even Namita whom Prabhas calls her once “bandadhi” gives a refreshing feel to the audiences who have been forced to see Mumait and other vamps repeatedly.
There is another indulgence, the director keeps repeating the same shots of Prabhas adjusting his blazer every now and then from the start to finish. No complaints he still looked good but what a relief watching a tall hero. Director Meher Ramesh gives new dimensions to the film, makes it look fresh and frothy while retaining the basic essence of the original and executes the screenplay with finesse. The title role of Billa suits Prabhas to the hilt and the long legged hero adds his personal style to the character and treats his fans with a dual role both as Billa, the don and Ranga, the simpleton.
Billa (Prabhas) is the most wanted criminal who works as a lieutenant to a dread mafia group that deals with weapons, drugs and ACP Krishnamurthy (Krishnam Raju) who is on deputation to nab him moves to the mafia's operational base in Malaysia. Billa is killed and the ACP who is trying to crack the drug trade chalks out a plan to infiltrate the mafia by placing Ranga from Vishakapatanam amongst them.
The ACP is shot as the film progresses and the onus is on Ranga to convince the cops of his identity. He wants to steer clear and sets out to furnish evidence to clear his name. Aiding him is Anushka whose brother Subbaraju and girlfriend Hansika have been killed and Namita the moll who is confused with Billa's look alike. Technically the film is proficient, the sets, the costumes, copters, aircrafts and locations add visual credibility and the music though purely functional has only one number “ My name is Billa” to boast about.
Jayasudha appears for a brief while as Krishnam Raju's wife. Prabhas initially is shown as a trickster who raises two orphans and leaves them with Krishnam Raju before impersonating him as Billa. Ali is Prabhas's friend. There is hardly any comedy in the movie but in a subject like this Ramesh intersperses the story with subtle humour, Prabhas is a one man army, one man show and doubles up as a comedian too. Namita is tad obese for a moll's role but makes her presence felt. Anushka has clearly worked hard on her figure and does her part as the vengeful lady.
Krishnamraju does an okay good job but looks more like a retired ACP, his presence in the film is obviously to work with nephew Prabhas but anyone with more mobility and zeal could have suited the role far better. Finally it's a stylish well made film, racy and entertaining. Prabhas looks glamorous, refreshing, does justice to both the characters and ensures the audience are glued to their seats.
|
