Stalin

We saw it with Russian subtitles; translation by Ushki.

It's a drama-comedy-action-musical movie that combines all the parts in equal proportions. And this time the drama is kinda more real than artificial.

The protagonist being called Stalin adds additional drollness to this film. Though, i don't think it was an ironic decision.

The lead is Chiranjeevi (Alluda Majaka), the villain is Prakash Raj (Singham, Singam, Wanted), in a secondary role there's Sunil (Maryada Ramanna, Magadheera), in episodic appearances there're Mukesh Rishi (Koi... Mil Gaya, Singam 2, Rebel) and Brahmanandam (everything).

The cinematography is that of a 2000s kid's first digital video project - a lot of most basic frame manipulation, and delivered very fast. The action looks fun, but it's of lower-medium budget. I think this is the first bharat film where the dance choreography has impressed me for one reason or another. The main theme is the best song but it isn't present on the soundtrack album.

We saw it in London.

Usually if any Chiranjeevi's movie is released, there is a festival period for online and print media. This kind of situation was at sky high for 'Stalin' as well. I will write on 'Stalin' in next paragraph after some general observations. I find Chiranjeevi is a versatile mass hero in India like Amitabh Bachan. Like Chiru, Amitabh is also acted in both classical and pure mass masala movies. I participate in discussions with friends and family members about telugu movies, because we watch movies not only of Chiru but other telugu movies acted by other popular hero's. Overall, I personally believe Nagarjuna and Chiranjeevi have been successfully able to reach masses in Andhra Pradesh by their good off-screen communication skills. In fact both of them are choosing their movies (in the recent period) which have either devotional framework or society concern. I deny that Chiranjeevi ignored message oriented movies in his earlier days. He did extraordinary youth message movies like Challenge (direction: Kodanda Rami Reddy) etc, but that time he didn't had such following which he enjoys today. For me 'Stalin' climax fights resemble that of his movie 'Challenge'. Sri Ramadasu by Nagarjuna is truly thought provoking movie by any standards.

Some of the reviews have suggested direction of Murugadoss in stalin was not up to the standard of his previous movies. But, I think Murugadoss did a very good job and he is very successful to live up to the image of our megastar. The message in the movie is clear. Such messages can be entered into public minds and possible social change only if a stature of Chiranjeevi shows them on screen. In this aspect the movie is a great attempt. Roughly Chiru might have fan following anywhere between 3.6 and 5.4 crores in Andhra Pradesh alone. I am not biased for him, because I watch movies by all major hero's and appreciate good movies. Next best fan following in Andhra Pradesh might be somewhere between 1 and 2 crores for any other hero (excluding Sr NTR and ANR). It is worth to watch 'Stalin' with all the family members. We all came out of the movie with a very positive mind. Songs are not very catchy, but this I believe helped a lot on concentrating on the movie and its theme. Stunts and picturisation is super! Overall, 'Stalin' sets a trend in recent Indian cinema.

In Hollywood movies, if mass heros like Arnold or Bruce Willie does super stunts people accept, but heros like Kevin Costner or Tom Hanks do super stunts then people do not accept. Similarly, some stunts in 'Stalin' although might sound impossible, but is fine to have such for a hero who enjoy huge mass support.

High-Voltage movie with Chiru's gr8 performance. Gr8 message to the people and to the fans of Chiru. Ifs full of Chiru show and he did it perfect. Trisha done well with her character. Movie is going to be biggest hit of South India. Murugadoss proved his talent by this movie again. Songs and fights are excellent by Chiru. The movie will collect more than 50 crore. The music by Manisarma is very good. All characters in the movie performed very nice in their parts. Sunil done well at the climax scenes and in comedy scenes. Prakash raj acted as the senior politician and showed a greatest performance as an 80 year old man. Finally one will feel by saying a good movie. Stalin rocks.

Chiranjeevi's performance needs no description, he's Absolute. Personally i wish, should have taken care with his hefty appearance. Trisha is cute, though nothing much to contribute performance wise. Khushboo performed sentiment and seriousness well. Sarada acted vivaciously in mother's role.Prakashraj is good, so is sunil. Especially Murugadoss has to be appreciated for coming up with a nice script (with chiru).

Rather looking at the small errors in the screenplay or for impossible climax stunt or insufficient graphic work in 1-2 scenes or limited entertainment in the movie - I LIKED THE MOVIE FOR ITS SENSIBLE MESSAGE. Just felt like, something can be done to save or keep going the positivity left out in the society at least by following the method/message given in the movie. Afterall, this is what at least we can do for being born as humans and try leave a better world or society for our fellow juniors who are yet to born. It takes a sentence/line to turn-down the impressions altogether, but needs a heart or at least humanity to spread such messages. I consider this movie a worth watch for every citizen for its unique message. But unfortunately i fear, 'poison works faster than medicine'. Lets C.

This movie was fairly good but i personally felt that A.R. Murugadoss could have come up with a better story (the basic plot was lifted from Pay It Forward) or something more original. like what he did for Tagore.

Positive aspects:

-Chiranjeevi's performance

-decent message for audience

-Sunil's performance at climax

-The way Chiranjeevi killed bad guys when they kidnap his nephew

Negative aspects:

-Music (was very average)

-Trisha (she looks like his daughter or something)

-basic plot being lifted from Hollywood film

-the last fight (looked very corny and illogical)

-uneccessary usage of weird camera angles

-Choreography (nothing we expect from a great dancer like Chiranjeevi)

-some dialogues (sound hackneyed and old-fashioned)

-Chiranjeevi's costumes/wardrobe (look like the ones from Tagore)

On a whole, its a decent flick but watch it without any expectations!