Ashok Galla, nephew of Superstar Mahesh Babu and son of businessman-politician Jayadev Galla, returns with his second film, Devaki Nandana Vasudeva. Directed by Arjun Jandhyala, the film marks the debut of Miss India Manasa Varanasi as the lead actress and Devadatta Nage, known for his role as Bajrang in Adipurush, as the antagonist. With a story penned by Hanuman fame director Prashanth Varma, the film raised some expectations. Let’s see how it fares.
Story
Kamsaraju (played by Devadatta Nage) is a ruthless landlord who eliminates anyone who dares oppose him. During a visit to Kashi, a Shiva sage warns him that his death will be caused by his sister’s third child. Alarmed, Kamsaraju returns to his village and murders his brother-in-law. His sister (played by Devayani) gives birth to a girl, Satya Bhama (played by Manasa Varanasi). Years later, Krishna (played by Ashok Galla), the son of Devaki (played by Jhansi), meets Satya Bhama at a wedding and falls in love with her. Meanwhile, after spending 21 years in jail, Kamsaraju seeks vengeance on those who turned against him. Krishna inadvertently becomes close to Kamsaraju after saving him. The film unfolds as the prophecy takes center stage: how Krishna and Satya Bhama are linked, and whether the sage’s warning proves true, forms the crux of the story.
Analysis
In recent years, Tollywood has embraced films with mythological and supernatural themes, as seen in hits like Virupaksha, Hanuman, and Karthikeya. Similarly, Devaki Nandana Vasudeva blends mythology with commercial elements. Prashanth Varma’s influence is evident in the supernatural touches, while Arjun Jandhyala’s association with Boyapati Sreenu brings intense action sequences into the mix.
The story incorporates mythological names—Kamsaraju, Devaki, Krishna and Satya Bhama—but lacks depth. A slight twist in Satya Bhama’s character offers some intrigue, but the overall narrative is predictable. The protagonist, Krishna, portrayed by Ashok Galla, lacks the commanding screen presence required for the action-heavy sequences. His lean physique and lover-boy demeanor make the fight scenes unrealistic. The romantic and comedic segments fail to engage, and the film struggles to maintain momentum until its final moments, which are somewhat gripping.
Performances
Ashok Galla delivers a marginally better performance compared to his debut, but he lacks the intensity needed for an action hero. Manasa Varanasi, in her debut role, offers a decent but unremarkable performance. Devadatta Nage, as the villain, delivers a bland portrayal. The dubbing adds volume to his lines, but his expressions lack conviction. Devayani and Jhansi provide adequate support. Satru performs well in his role. The dialogues are good and the cinematography is good. Music by Bheems music is average.
Verdict
Devaki Nandana Vasudeva is a routine commercial entertainer with mythological undertones. While the story shows promise, the execution falters due to a predictable narrative and a lackluster protagonist. The film offers little novelty apart from its mythological references, with only the last ten minutes managing to pique interest. A formulaic attempt that fails to leave a lasting impact.
Cast: Ashok Galla, Manasa Varanasi, Devadatta Nage, Devayani, Jhansi, Sanjay Swaroop, and others
Story: Prashanth Varma
Director: Arjun Jandhyala
Producers: Balakrishna S
Music: Bheems Ceciroleo
Cinematographer:Prasad Murella
Rating: 2/5