Cast: Nithin, Keerthy Suresh

Written and Direction: Venky Atluri

The story of Rang De is about Anu (Keerthy Suresh) yearns for Arjun (Nithin), her childhood friend who is constantly irritated that he is seen by his father (VK Naresh) as spectacularly inferior to her in almost everything. We are visually/verbally told Anu is in love with Arjun. But the way the story is narrated, we never have a sense of how much Arjun means to Anu. As for the guy, he is facetious till the pre-climax phase, busy as he is carping about Anu in the presence of every other character. The premise not only feels underwhelming but also gets farcical after a point. 

Arjun's father is fond of Anu's discipline and intelligence. This peeves the hero, who starts hating her for being the villain of his life. This is staged as a juvenile comedy and that's fine. The trouble begins when the man-child refuses to grow up even after a game-changing incident. You might argue, that's how comedies are supposed to be. But such a characterization can click only if the jokes are strong enough to leave the audience in splits. In Rang De, lame first-night jokes, among others, act as a substitute for emotional heft. 

Tollywood has a way with love stories, especially ones that involve close-knitted neighbouring families and leads who are either head-over-heels for each other or constantly at war. Where Venky manages to set his film apart is the way he writes the character of Anu. Even when she pulls something shocking to ensure she’s not married against her choice, there’s only worry from her mother instead of judgement. 

Team Moviekoop wishes Congratulations to the winner of the "Rang De Free Ticket Contest"

Rang De Venky Atluri does follow the simple commercial formula of songs, fight scenes and humour weaved into a light-hearted romance that soon turns emotional. But he manages to make the characters relatable and makes the film engaging for the most part. Nithiin and Keerthy Suresh seem comfortable in the skin of their characters, with their relationship seeming plausible. Nithiin aces the boy-next-door role and Keerthy steals the show. The lead actors get ample opportunity to show off their acting chops and they deliver. Vennela Kishore, Suhas, Abhinav Gomatam, Brahmaji and Naresh too manage to inject some humour.

The film treats the emotional issues between Arjun and Anu like silly fights between two children - even in the second half. Even though the man she is in love with is mean and talks like a creep, we don't see the agony in Anu. In 2021, our films are still not done with the idea of showing the consummation of marriage as an accident. Vennela Kishore's character becomes an excuse to weave double-meaning lines around this.

PC Sreeram’s cinematography gives the whole film a feel-good vibe with softly lit rooms and a golden glow surrounding our lead pair. His delightful frames just ooze romance. Devi Sri Prasad’s music however has nothing much to write home about, but the BGM does manage to complement the film. 

Sure there are scenes that might seem like a nod to numerous Indian rom-com, especially Salaam Namaste or even Happy, but Venky manages to make the story his own.On the whole, Devi Sri Prasad's music, the lead pair’s face-off, and entertaining first half make this regular rom-com watchable. Despite its predictability, it ends as a decent movie.