Cast: Chiranjeevi, Kajal Aggarwal, Tarun Arora, Brahmanandam, Posani Krishna Murali, Ali, Ram Charan, Laxmi Raai
Banner: Konidela Productions
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
Cinematography: R Rathnavelu
Editor: Gowtham Raju
Distribution: Lyca Productions
Story: AR Murugadoss
Writers: Paruchuri Brothers, Sai MadhavBurra, Vema Reddy
Presenter: Konidela Surekha
Producer: Ram Charan
Director: VV Vinayak
Plot:
Kaththi Seenu (Chiranjeevi) is a petty thief and prisoner. One night he tricks the jailor and escapes from the prison. In quest of money, Seenu lands up in an old age home and the moment he learns about the traumatic past of the old age home and the higher cause the farmer inhabitants led by Shankar (Chiranjeevi) are fighting for, Seenu’s goals change. How did he fight for the farmers’ cause and lead them to victory forms the rest of the plot.
Performances:
Chiranjeevi: All those who are desperately missing the Megastar in action need to watch this film. Others can watch it for the Megastar alone. Though his comic timing and ease looked artificial in few scenes, the emotional quotient in the film is kept alive by the Megastar– the finest actor Indian cinema ever had. However if you are expecting exceptional dances, then cool baby cool– Megastar preferred to play neat & easy! Chiru’s age in the film is still a puzzle.
Kajal Aggarwal: Five songs and few scenes with very few dialogues and she is done! About Glamour quotient? Of course she is glamorous!
Btw thumbs down for Chiru-Kajal pair and chemistry!
While Ali plays Chiru’s sidekick, comedy track of Brahmi & Raghu Babu is too good. Actually #BrahmiIsBack
The antagonist fails to score amidst the Mega Toofan.
The rest of the cast especially the senior citizen group play a crucial role.
Analysis:
An average movie buff knows what usually happens when a super hit Tamil film is remade in Telugu with a star hero. However Tagore, Dhruva and now Khaidi No 150 are three different testimonials. While Chiru-VV Vinayak combo deliver a stellar like Tagore in the past, Khaidi No 150 is rather an attempt that doesn't try to measure up to that bar set by the duo.
The original stories (of both the films) by AR Murugadoss are critically acclaimed and commercial hits. Both are high-concept films but the way VVV & Co. dealt this time is not so impressive. The objective seems to be pretty simple– engage the masses to the extent possible without tampering the original much. Here is his film doing exactly the same.
Comedy always topped the list of pre-requisites followed by songs (inclusive of dances), a social message (unlike the routine, dialogues took a backseat) and then comes the intent of the story. Hello...this is a come back film and we must check maximum “comeback” boxes in this film - VV Vinayak’s Khaidi No 150 sincerely checks all of them. Keeping aside his signature, Vinayak focus lied in engaging us following the required (or prescribed) stylesheet.
The first 20mins of the film invite unwanted doubts but once the flashback steps in, the film takes a big leap with a high-voltage pre-interval block. The second half writing intends to wrap the show asap. It races off in no time with a rather unconvincing and over simplified climax.
With limited regards to the quality of remaking, Khaidi No 150 turns out to be a watchable film highly relying on Megastar’s presence and performance.
Merits:
- Chiranjeevi’s all-round performance
- Flashback episode & coin fight sequence (that too if you haven't seen Kaththi)
- Comedy track of Brahmanandam & Raghubabu
- Music and background score
- Cinematography
- Editing
De-merits:
- Lack of the original feel and intensity
- No WOW factors at all.
Music:
All the haters and naysayers have to step back for DSP proved no less with his impeccable re-recording striking a fine balance between the emotional and commercial content of the film. While songs are just passable, Megastar’s dances make it watchable.
Others:
Cameos by VV Vinayak, Naga Babu, Uttej and Ram Charan were decent enough. Watching Chiru and Charan scorch the dance floor is a feast for fans.
Verdict:
Khaidi No 150 is just a watchable entertainer and Megastar makes it worth watch as an all rounder. However Mega expectations are injurious to health!!!
Avg User Rating: 3/5
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