Story: Cherry is a regular guy working as a software professional. Jilebi (Brahmanandam) is Cherry’s uncle who wants to get married. One such marriage proposal lands Jilebi in trouble who in turn lands Cherry in trouble. During the same time a series of murders happen in the city and the attention is drawn towards Cherry. How both incidents which are not related to each other connect, forms the rest of the story.
Performances: Ram Charan shows further growth as a performer and in terms of screen presence with this film. The comic timing has slightly improved compared to his past films. On the dances aspect this is clearly his best among all his films so far.
Kajal and Amala Paul do what is expected of them that is look glamorous. They do it well. Kajal looks gorgeous and she is a big asset in songs. Amala Paul is fine although too much effort has been made for her to look sensuous and glamorous.
After the main leads it’s the comedians show all the way. Brahmanandam is once again used to the fullest. His character Jilebi provides ample fun in the first half. His presence along with M.S.Narayana and Jayaprakash Reddy lighten up the first half. A similar effect is created by Posani Krishna Murali in the second half of the film. In fact it’s because of his character the proceedings get livelier in the second half after a point.
Jaya Prakash Reddy deserves a special mention for his hilarious act. He elevated two sequences one in first half and another one in second half before the final song to new heights with his terrific timing.
Pradeep Rawat and Dev Gill do their routine acts as villains in a clinical way. Rajeev Kanakala performs adequately in the character given to him. Ashish Vidyardhi is adequate as well.
Positives:
Ram Charan Dances
Some fights
Comedy
Scenes involving Jaya Prakash Reddy
Posani Krishna Murali in second half
Negatives:
Excessive violence
Predictable storyline
Analysis: Director VV Vinayak sticks to his strength this time. He narrates a high voltage action entertainer interlaced with comedy throughout. When the comedy works well in such narrations it gives the audience relief from the heavy action that unfolds simultaneously. Here in Naayak the director gets this balance right and moves things at frantic pace which doesn’t give audience the time to think of the routines unfolding on screen.
First half of the film especially works well with that narration but in the second the director shifts the focus completely on action and this is where the film starts to drag. Luckily though, it ends before things go completely out of hand with the re-introduction of comic relief with the Posani Krishna Murali character. The film gets back on the track and is fine till the climax which could have been better.
Music by SS Thaman was good in the audio and has been used very well by the director especially in the second half. Background music done by SS Thaman is alright. Its good only in places.
Choreography and picturizations of songs, if seen as standalone, are one of the major highlights of the film. The moves in some songs and locations in others are a treat to eyes. Cinematography in those songs is fantastic too by Chota K Naidu. Editing is fine, the film could have done well with flashback being slightly shorter though.
Bottom-line: For the lovers of full meals this is another full meals package from different hotel. You have eaten it many times before but would not mind again.
Rating: 3.5/5
