Writer and director Madan is known for dishing out films with strong content, be it Aa Naluguru, Pellaina Kotthalo or Pravarakhyudu. The problem with such technicians is it takes a while for them to win the confidence of the mass audience. This time Madan seems to have got it right.
Garam has the right mix of friendship, love, comedy, action et al and he also keeps the suspense of the film alive till the end. There might be some deja vu moments, but they have all been packaged well. Aadi, who has had a low run, bounces back confidently with a good story here.
Right in the beginning, the director gives a hint that this is going to be one bloody drama when the villain asks Varala Babu Yevadra Nuvvu? to which the latter replies, “Aadhar card taruvatha submit chestanu mundhu kotteskundham ra”.
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The first ten minutes are devoted to establishing the character of Varala Babu (Aadi) and Ravi (Chaitanya Krishna).
They grow up together but there is constant schism between both the families as the former is less inclined to studies and is turning out to be a wastrel.
He is asked to leave the house and Varala Babu arrives in the city and predictably bumps into a woman (Adah Sharma), a Muslim.
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Throughout the film they are exchanging glances and hardly talk. If two hours are spent on fun in the city and romance, the actual story as to why he comes to Hyderabad is revealed in the last half-an-hour. It is more a tale of friendship and is nicely woven with a threat coming from both J.P. Reddy and Kabir Khan.
Naresh shines as Chaitanya Krishna’s father; he makes that extra effort to look and sound different and stands out, albeit in a small role. Aadi is a bundle of energy and is his usual confident self. Adah Sharma has nothing much to do except flaunt her bruises or bat her eyelids.
Shakalaka Shankar and Vennela Rama Rao are hilarious. Brahmanandam is a bore with a poor imitation of Aamir Khan in and as PK. It is time writers come up with fresh roles for the talented actor instead of wasting him in spoofs. The songs and re-recording are good; Agasthya having done a fine job.
Garam seems to be an apt title, as the story writer keeps the events hot till the end.
Y. Sunita Chowdhary
Garam
Cast: Aadi, Adah Sharma
Direction: Madan
Music: Agasthya
Plot: A youth is on a mission that is not expected of him