Srirastu Subhamastu pushes Telugu cinema behind by a few light years yet again. At heart, the film deals with the clash between mindsets of the middle and the upper strata of society, but director Parasuram never sticks to his core point.
For a film that comes up with several definitions of love, the complications leading to marriage and the financial side of the story, it’s the romantic track that is a huge downer. From Siri’s (Allu Sirish) love-at-first-sight moment when he spots Ananya (Lavanya Tripathi) holidaying in Kashmir, he follows her to an engineering college in Visakhapatnam, fakes a ‘lost purse’ incident to find a place in her lavish hostel. The pursuit here is so desperate, both physically and emotionally, that the girl has no choice but to fall for him. Yes, stalking is back as a love strategy.
While the first hour is downright regressive, the comedy track is an attempt to smoothen ends of an apathetic narrative. Ali is the predictable scapegoat, as Siri goes on a consistent slapfest. There’s a love-triangle between Siri, Ananya and her prospective groom, where Siri comes up with demeaning tactics, one after the other, to break their marriage. The film packs in a climax that’s similar to Bommarillu , where Prakash Raj (father to Siri) is made to listen to lengthy lines on how Siri and the family are paying a heavy price for his high-handed attitude.
Apart from Rao Ramesh’s efforts to liven up his stereotypical role of a protective father, the character sketches are soulless throughout. The initially ambitious Ananya, turns into a doll-like creature who can’t look beyond marriage. You feel for Lavanya Tripathi’s choice after the likes of Soggade Chinni Nayana and Bhale Bhale Magadivoy . Allu Sirish makes progress as an actor, but there’s only so much that one can do in an outdated family-entertainment package. Sumalatha makes a comeback through an overtly melodramatic part. The only relief is that the film comes out of the ‘big joint-family hangover’.
Srirastu Subhamastu
Cast: Allu Sirish, Lavanya Tripathi, Prakash Raj, Rao Ramesh
Music: SS Thaman
Direction: Parasuram
Rating : 1.5 stars
