Kushi

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.

Kushi is just a pan India film for name sake but it has no aspects of being pan Indian film except music and songs. Kushi has better first half especially the Kashmir Sequence but then after the story loses its pace and runs towards routine boredom. Second half seems to be old style of Bollywood film. The film lits up in its climax and delivers a good message but this message couldn't find to be impactful because of the loose writing. Overall performance of Vijay is better. Samantha also gives her best despite of her disease and being medically weak. The bond and relationship between the characters is good. Songs are the soul of the film. Shiva Nirvana sir had a good chance to deliver a romantic drama after majili but he failed due to lengthy and loose narration. Direction is good but it is not the best. Overall it is one time watch movie. But you will not feel re-watch it.

Ordinarily regular story telling yet entertaining initial half!!

Simple intro to characters and their world... dives right into breezy love track!!

The humor is executed well and adds to the experience!!

Few unnecessary fillers during the movie setup are bearable... Exceptional production values... impressive in most of the parts, technically could have been better!!

Emotionally engaging later half!!

Throughly developed characters with perfect blend in arcs!!

Not so conventional conflict point, few forced sequences disrupt the viewing experience... Songs & BGM are the most impressive part of the film!!

VD & Sam nailed their roles, their chemistry is just perfect!!

Final 30min of the movie is where lies it's heart, emotionally exceptional!!

Although there are some drifts in the screenplay, resulting in a slightly lengthy narrative, anticipating these flaws makes the movie a good watch... 3/5.

The movie doesn't explore groundbreaking themes, instead focusing on everyday relationship challenges. The second half takes a light-hearted approach to these issues and is enhanced by great music and stunning visuals.

The interactions between the lead characters in the latter part of the film are perfect for family audiences. While not entirely original, they are convincingly portrayed. Vijay Deverakonda impresses as Viplav, shedding his mass image for the role and maintaining an uber-cool demeanor throughout. His comedic timing and performance in pivotal scenes are endearing.

Star actress Samantha shines in her role as Kushi, exuding charm and delivering a nuanced performance. Her chemistry with Vijay Deverakonda is palpable, and she handles emotional sequences with ease. The humor is decent, and the emotional moments in the latter part of the film are well-executed. Supporting cast members including Sharanya, Murali Sharma, Rohini, Sharanya Pradeep, Sachin Khedekar, and Rahul Ramakrishna also deliver commendable performances.

The movie becomes somewhat predictable, which affects its impact. Knowing what's coming next can make it less engaging at times. The Kerala episode could have been better executed.

The film is lengthy and could benefit from some editing, particularly in the extended Kashmir sequences. The first half lacks momentum, but it picks up after the pre-interval scene. While the director mentioned the film addresses a sensitive issue during promotions, it doesn't offer a particularly fresh perspective and feels reminiscent of other films.

Hesham Abdul Wahab's music shines as the unsung hero of Kushi, with superb songs beautifully captured by cinematographer Murali. The rich visuals elevate the overall viewing experience, thanks to Mythri Movie Makers' commitment to production values. However, there's room for improvement in the editing.

Director Shiva Nirvana handles Kushi decently, opting for a relatable concept that resonates with married individuals, delivered in his signature style. His films consistently address everyday life issues, and Kushi is no exception. The casting and technical team are commendable, showcasing the director's skill in assembling a talented crew.

In summary, Kushi is an enjoyable romantic comedy with a strong second half. The film's central theme comes to life in the latter part, delivering compelling drama and emotions. Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha deliver charming performances, well-supported by the rest of the cast. However, the film's initial portions are less impressive, and a shorter runtime could have had a more significant impact. Nevertheless, Shiva Nirvana presents a relatable film for family audiences, making Kushi a worthwhile watch.

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."