Each time a film brings in something new — in its plot, a character sketch, a dialogue, in its execution of a scene or just putting out a thought process — we hold on to it and celebrate it as markers of better filmmaking. Most Fridays aren’t that rewarding, especially for those of us watching movies and writing about them. Still, we watch in the hope of a rewarding moment that could be lurking in a corner.
Films like MLA , with the tagline ‘ Manchi Lakshanalunna Abbayi ’ (which you’re not likely to forget since they keep repeating it), bring us back to the ground reality that nothing much has changed with a section of mainstream commercial cinema. Watching MLA felt like a journey back by a few decades, not a pleasant nostalgia trip, but like bringing to the fore certain aspects of filmmaking that are best forgotten.
There are several jerky transitions from one scene to another, a liberal dose of loud acting by some of the cast members and in general, an outdated plot laced with insipid writing. The actual story comes into focus post interval when Kalyan (Kalyan Ram) finds himself up against a seasoned politician (Ravi Kishan), in a race to bag the MLA seat if he wants to win the hand of Indu (Kajal), because her dad wants an MLA as a son-in-law.
Before this conflict point, the film saunters aimlessly. If at all there is something to read from what appears like isolated sequences stitched together, it acts as a show-reel for the hero — to show him as a good brother, brother in law, a smart alec who can bring a land grabbing goon to books, and be the irritating yet good guy who wins a woman’s heart. The lead actors break into song and dance quite often, and these aren’t even appealing.
In between, Brahmanandam arrives as a conniving lawyer flanked by an army of subordinates. Vennela Kishore, as usual, tries to be earnest in the few scenes he’s a part of. Posani Krishna Murali is cast, for the nth time, in a cringe-inducing role and spouts double entendre lines. Whatever made Kalyan Ram and Kajal Aggarwal take up this film?
Lost in this mess of a narrative is a case for ending child labour, education for children, finding a solution to water woes and making gullible people stand up for themselves.
As an aside, there are plenty of inconsistencies to track and beat boredom. For instance, Kajal sports jhumkas while she’s being brought to her dad’s house by Kalyan. A lengthy dialogue and face off later he walks out and soon, Ravi Kishan walks in. The family members are still in the living room and wear sullen expressions. Nothing has changed. Only, Kajal now sports chandelier earrings!
MLA - Manchi Lakshanalunna Abbayi
Cast : Kalyan Ram, Kajal Aggarwal
Direction : Upendra Madhav
