Kittu Unnadu Jagratha: The dog has its day

The film scores big on laughs and timely twists

Raj Tarun and Anu Emmanuel in the film

It’s a sign board in front of a lavish mansion that reads ‘Kukkalunnai Jagratha’ that transforms into ‘Kittu Unnadu Jagratha’ as the title card appears. Director N Vamsi Krishna doesn’t waste much time in introducing Krishna Murthy a.k.a Kittu as a dognapper who makes the most out of owners’ weakness for their canines. What makes the group turn kidnappers of dogs from being co-owners of a car service centre forms the plot of this action comedy. The film scores mostly in its lighter moments, thanks largely to the energetic on-screen camaraderie that Raj Tarun, Praveen and his friends share. Despite an oft-told plot, the film is high on praasa and barely runs out of steam.

However, it is not free of a misogynistic dose. On the lines of ‘Love Cheyyala Vadda’ from Kumari 21f , Raj Tarun (who plays Kittu) grooves to a song that explains why a man is better off without a woman. The watertight script though restricts this. In the crisp romance, the couple Kittu and Jaanu (enacted by Anu Emmanuel) meets at a life-threatening situation. Her friend Snigdha’s responses to Kittu’s persistent attempts to impress Jaanu are a riot. What keeps the film’s entertainment quotient alive are the lively characters. Like Prudhvi Raj who has night-blindness, Raghu Babu who plays Nimasi baba has Vennela Kishore as a disciple, while Praveen rips apart anyone who insults the godman. The achievement of the filmmaker here is his ability to connect them to the plot smartly.

The film progresses towards the crime-element in the second hour. A cop misfires, a phone call goes to a wrong person and confusion ensues, all because of a dog-kidnap sequence.

Like his earlier film

Dongaata , Vamsi Krishna times his twists well to keep the viewer guessing. Even in his characterisation of Arbaaz Khan’s part ‘AR’, he doesn’t make him a caricature. Kittu always remains the underdog and AR is a step ahead throughout. Interspersing suspense, thriller, romance and action, the director is in total control.

The film goes quite far in undermining cops and income tax officials. It’s surprising how a mere ID card lets Kittu enter an income tax office. Raja Ravindra plays an SI who fires more punchlines than bullets. Raj Tarun continues to play a wastrel to his advantage, but it’s time he went beyond his East-Godavari yaasa . Anu Emmanuel presents her best on-screen charisma. Arbaaz Khan plays a highly stylised baddie and makes a welcome comeback to Telugu cinema. Kittu Unnadu Jagratha doesn’t defy norms, but packages enough surprises to keep you entertained.

Kittu Unnadu Jagratha

Cast: Raj Tarun, Anu Emmanuel

Director: N Vamsi Krishna

Music: Anup Rubens