Sundarakanda - Review

Sundarakanda, prominently thought of as much-awaited film from the cannon of Bapu and Mullapudi Venkataramana, has finally arrived, but to poor openings and disappointing talk. Bapu has brought to play the outdated strategy of entertainment, which were gone into the oblivion right two decades ago. At this age of modernity, influenced by western thinking even in remote areas, Bapu's entertainer Sundarakanda is a dampening effort. Ramgopal Varma (Sunil Sharma) is the heir to the legacy of the erstwhile Bobbili princely region. One day, he goes to picnic and falls to the charms of a ravishing lady (Prema). As a result of their union, the lady becomes pregnant and they get married with the sanction of the tribal population. Raja of Bobbili Sansthan is in fury knowing that his son has married an ordinary woman. In the absence of Ramgopal Varma, his wife is sent out in all humiliation. The pregnant lady reaches Hyderabad and gives birth to a baby girl Pinky (Charmi). After sixteen years, she narrates her plight to Pinky, who in turn takes up the responsibility of uniting her parents. Landing at the premises of her dad's palace, she starts executing her mission. Fortunately, she finds that her dad remained a bachelor all through. She successfully tramples the vile efforts of her dad's uncle (Vizag Prasad). How Pinky gets through the deal for unity forms the climax. Sunil Sharma, a well-known TV artiste, played the role of an agonized husband and father. Dubbing for his voice is done by SP Balu, but rendering a poor and drab effect. Charmi is simply superb as Bapu bomma, but the impact is lost due to the too traditional attire put on her when the audiences would sure expect modernity and glamour, which Bapu missed in this movie. Kota Srinvasa Rao did the role of a greedy politician. Prema, as mother of Charmi, is not suitable to the role. Story has near similarity with Bapu's 1970s blockbuster Mutyala Muggu. While that film showed a child as the protagonist, who makes heartening efforts to unite her parents, Charmi got into the shoes of the kid, but as a beautiful teenaged girl. The fine odor of the yesteryears is clearly missing. Music by Vidya Sagar is not up to the mark, but the background score (not by Vidya Sagar) is good in parts. Bapu's fans might like this film. Yet, the initial talk from the women crowd too is not in favor of the film.