Kushi

Kushi is a 2023 Telugu film starring Vijay Devarakonda, Samantha, murali Sharma, Sachin khedekar etc. Directed by Shiva Nirvana and produced by mythri movie makers.

Kushi as the name suggests, has fun elements, drama, emotions and everything that'll make you feel exaggerated. Now coming to the plot, Viplav, works as an employee in BSNL Kashmir branch. There, he meets Aaradhya and falls on sight for her. How he'll impress aradhya and what made the actual drama start is the whole plot.

The romance drama shown in the first half felt routine and forced. It's literally the early 2000s technique of making a girl fall in love. Vijay with his impressing skills made Aradhya impressed but not the audience. His tone and the cheesy dialogues can be irritating. Hesham's fresh tunes and bgm will definitely make us fall in the love trance . The Kashmir sequence was just to introduce the characters and the story. And not for anything else. The location was used for the best reason (love) but was not presented in the best way.

As the film is entirely about love and aftermath, the screenplay gets faster in the first half and again it gets paused. The entire story is presented in the trailer and the same way. Viplav marries Aradhya by opposing each other's parents and gets the drama started. The second half is entirely about the post marriage effects. They were shot well but were dragged. Overall, ends with a good note .

The bonding between Viplav and Zoya (Rohini) was shown well and she carries the best emotions in the entire Kerala sequence vis-a-vis Jayram.

Parallel Films like ante sundaraniki, has the same story with added caste element, but, this has something new concept which was interesting and could be liked by few

Music plays an important role in every films, hesham is the aboard for kushi. The bgm and the songs are definitely a huge hit. Still hits you differently when listening it in the hall.

The film is focused.lre on the self respect of every individual and it lasts till the last. The conflict between the fathers of Viplav and Aradhya can be a whole new plot itself.

Coming to direction, Shiva Nirvana directed it well and carried a particular emotion throughout the movie. My pov, Shiva Nirvana is the only director in TFI who can portray emotions and carry it in the best way possible. His previous films like ninnu kori, majili are the best examples of how emotions travelled with the screenplay.

Few sequences like the bike chase, metro fight etc didn't impress and doesn't have any entertaining quality esp the metro fight.

While the new romantic dramas are mostly focused on convincing parents and getting married. Kushi gets it done in the first half and enters in the unseen zone.

However, kushi is the drama needed for the present romeos and Juliets and not for the devdas. Singles might like it and enjoy but may not relate to it. Overall, Kushi is the much needed comeback for both Vijay and Samantha. Not a perfect comeback but yes, a new and good way to start a fresh, new journey.

Verdict, kushi is the wholesome entertainer for this season which can be enjoyed with the family, friends or even solo. It has all the qualities of how a romantic journey starts. Another reason is Hesham Abdul Wahab. Kushi is the perfect musical ride and enough to rule your playlists.....

I was with the majority here who wants to see both VD and Siva comeback strong, but, unfortunately, we have to wait for their next outings. Kushi is definitely not their comeback.

That being said, the movie is not completely bad either. It has it's beautiful moments too.

The first one hour of the movie is silly where the writing could have been way more better. Interval is the only decent to good part of the entire first half.

The second half started well with few good scenes & laughter and eventually faltered during the pre-climax and climax. Siva could not find the right balance between the two layers he tried to present in this movie.

Siva's stories are always familiar but they all used to have an x-factor in them. Kushi lacks that X-factor. Also, thinking back now, Siva made his entire second half favoring a certain gender. So, maybe, this movie will work for them.

But for me, this movie did not work except for few comedy scenes in the second half and the screen presence of VD.

I watched the first day first show with a lot of anticipation and the movie really disappointed me. Before I get to that, the positives, the cinematography, especially Kashmir mountains are a joy to watch. Devarakonda does well as a modern, besotted lover. Samantha looks ill and lazy throughout the movie. Maybe she just was looking to complete the movie and her health did not support. Beyond all this, the movie is narrated from the woman's perspective on marriage largely. That is what I disliked the most. In many ways, this movie is similar to Alai Paayuthey, the Mani Ratnam classic. The storyline bears an eerie resemblance of two couples from polarising backgrounds coming together and going against parents to marry. Reality hits them hard after marriage and with parents alienated, they have nowhere to go. It's then that a couple outside the family (here Rohini and Jayram) and their Arvind Swamy and someone else show them what a true marriage is. That was a big, big letdown.

"Kushi," featuring Vijay Devarakonda and Samantha in lead roles, is a film that encapsulates the essence of youthful romance. While it possesses some commendable attributes, it also grapples with certain shortcomings. In this in-depth review, we'll delve into the movie's strengths and weaknesses, shedding light on why it stands as a one-time watch.

One of the most striking aspects of "Kushi" is its music. The film boasts a delightful soundtrack that not only enhances the viewing experience but also leaves a lasting impression. The songs are a blend of melody and energy, perfectly capturing the essence of young love. Vijay Devarakonda and Samantha's on-screen chemistry truly comes alive during the musical sequences, and these moments are a highlight of the movie. The music serves as a potent vehicle for conveying the characters' emotions and adds a layer of depth to the overall narrative.

However, a notable drawback of "Kushi" is its extended runtime. At nearly three hours, the film's pacing becomes a cause for concern. While certain portions of the story are engaging and emotionally charged, there are extensive stretches where the narrative slows down considerably. This extended runtime may test the patience of viewers, especially those accustomed to faster-paced storytelling. A more concise and tightly edited version of the film could have amplified its impact and made it more accessible to a wider audience.

"Kushi" firmly falls into the category of a one-time watch. It offers moments of humor, romance, and drama that can provide a decent evening's entertainment. However, it lacks the depth and innovation necessary to leave a lasting impression. The storyline, though relatable, adheres to a predictable trajectory, making it relatively easy to anticipate the unfolding events. While the chemistry between Vijay Devarakonda and Samantha is undeniable and adds charm to the film, "Kushi" ultimately fails to break free from the shackles of conventionality.

The central love story in "Kushi" follows a familiar and somewhat routine path. It revolves around two individuals, (Vijay Devarakonda) and (Samantha), who start off on the wrong foot but gradually develop feelings for each other. While the initial clashes between the characters provide moments of humor and tension, the transition into love and the subsequent challenges they face feel formulaic. Viewers who have seen similar love stories may find "Kushi" lacking in originality. The film misses an opportunity to offer a fresh perspective on the age-old theme of love.

One can't help but feel that "Kushi" could have benefited from a more impactful and innovative conclusion. The movie builds up a considerable emotional investment in the characters and their journey, but the resolution falls short of leaving a lasting impact. A more thought-provoking or unconventional ending could have elevated the film and left a stronger impression on the audience. Instead, it adheres to a somewhat conventional and expected conclusion, which, while satisfying, doesn't stand out in the crowded landscape of romantic dramas.

In summary, "Kushi" is a film with notable strengths, particularly in its music and the chemistry between Vijay Devarakonda and Samantha. However, its extended runtime and adherence to a routine love story formula hinder it from becoming a cinematic gem. It can be enjoyed as a one-time watch, offering moments of laughter and romance, but it may not linger in your memory for long. While the film has its merits, it leaves room for improvement in terms of storytelling and innovation, especially in its conclusion. Nonetheless, fans of the lead actors will find their performances endearing, and the catchy songs will stay with you even after the credits roll.

The movie's plot may appear quaint, perhaps suitable for the 1980s era, yet it struggles to resonate in contemporary times. The screenplay lacks originality, with each scene and sequence treading a path of monotony and predictability, reminiscent of tropes prevalent over the past three decades. The dialogues, sadly, fall into the realm of familiarity.

Vijay Devarakonda's presence feels ill-suited, as he comes across more like Samantha's younger sibling than a fitting co-star. Their on-screen dynamic appears contrived, with Samantha's tendency to overact being a recurring issue, her appearance in this film is more artificial. On the contrary, the supporting cast executes their roles competently.

While the production design, costumes, and makeup all exude a sense of opulence, they lack vitality. The cinematography can be deemed satisfactory, though the editing could have been more succinct. Clocking in at a runtime of 2 hours and 45 minutes, the movie's duration is excessive for a romantic comedy and proves tiresome for an unengaging narrative.

Although a couple of songs manage to make a decent impression, the background music becomes overly pervasive in certain instances.

"This film portrays Orthodox Hindus as superstitious and unintelligent, while depicting Atheists as arrogant. However, it contradicts the idea that Orthodox Hindus are willing to marry their daughters to individuals from different castes and beliefs easily. It also suggests that Rationalists will contribute to environmental pollution and disrupt public peace by playing loud music, bursting crackers in front of government offices, and dancing."