Ontari Movie Review

Cast: Gopichand, Bhavana, Rajeev Kanakala, Naresh, Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao, Ashish Vidyarthi, Ajay, Supreeth, Sayaji Shinde and Others
Director:Ramana B.V
Producer:Pokuri Baburao
Music:Mani Sharma
Action:'Gilli' Sekhar-Vijay
Cinematography: Sarvesh Murari
Dialogues:Marudhuri Raja, Bashasri
Editing:Goutham Raju
Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla, Ramajogaiah Sastry, Bashasri
Story: Etharam Films Unit
Screenplay: Ramana B.V.
Presenter: Pokuri Ramarao
Banner: Etharam Films
Release Date: 14th February, 2008


Ontari' starring Gopichand and newbie Bhavana has a good screenplay and credible performances but the climax is a downer. It becomes a regular revenge story and becomes humdrum after a promising start.

Plot:
Vamsi has a big happy family with parents, siblings and their spouses. Into his life comes Bujji who he falls in love with and after some hurdles, she reciprocates. She is eve-teased by Ajay, who is the brother of Lal Mahankali, an influential rowdy. Vamsi saves her, earns her love but also earns the wrath of Mahankali and his gang.

Story, Screenplay and Direction:
The first half of 'Ontari' is good. If viewed in entirety, then the direction and performances are good but the basic plot doesn't work out especially towards the end. The last one hour when the suspense is over and it turns into a seen-before revenge drama pulls the movie down. The screenplay is present day inserted with flashbacks throughout.

The unconventional characters and fates of the main leads are difficult to pull off, especially in this screenplay. It could have been a highly watchable, even enjoyable movie if the story was a little different post-break. The action sequences in the first half are good, while those in the second half get very repetitive. Background score and re-recording is good.

The scene where Bujji introduces Vamsi to his own family as her boyfriend, the family sequences and sprinkling of humor in the first half is good. The scene where Vamsi and Ali (playing a waiter) interact finishes off the suspense about Bujji and the movie takes a different road from there. Incidentally, a movie starring Vadde Naveen called 'Naa Oopiri' has a similar storyline.

Performances:
Gopichand has the movie on his shoulders, and does a good job portraying a slightly complex character. Bhavana debuts in Telugu, and she gives a credible performance. Ashish Vidyarthi and Ajay are convincing in negative roles. Rajeev Kanakala plays a brief but key role well.

Song and Dance:
Three of the songs including 'Ararey Yemadi' are good with nice picturizations.

Last Word:
'Ontari' starts off with much promise, but goes downhill towards the climax. It's difficult to carry off a theme and characters such as 'Ontari''s, and the movie seems to walk on a tightrope once it gives way to predictability post-break.