Cast: Nikhil, Tridha Choudhury, Madhoo, Tanikella Bharani, Satya, Mast Ali, Thagubothu Ramesh, Praveen, Sayaji Shinde, Rao Ramesh
Director: Karthik Gattamneni
Nikhil has finally found a haven in unconventional scripts. 'Surya vs Surya' after 'Swamy Ra Ra' and 'Karthikeya' is a delight for the actor and the audience.
Nikhil is named Surya by Madhoo, who plays his mother in a film where his name ironically mocks his disease and confidence. His disease, in simple terms, when put in a sentence - he's dead meat if he ventures out in the daylight. So, Surya is Sun's soluble meal. He befriends an auto driver and an old man; and falls in love with a television anchor.
The trailer had neatly displayed what the film would have for the viewer. There are no big surprises. There are no "will she - won't she" moments and thankfully there is no philosophical garb in the name of social message. Yet the screenplay is what makes this romantic comedy still laudable.
You know you are lost in a world of scenes when you are laughing at Tanikella Bharani's schoolboy costume and his particular way of calling Madhoo "aunty" because he's a friend of Nikhil's who considers himself an equal. All supporting actors - Bharani, Satya, Mast Ali, Thagubothu Ramesh, Subhashini, Praveen - have good scenes. Nobody is forgotten at the end of the story. This is something rare in a culture where even the lead actress disappears in the second half post the customary duet.
The only action scene in the film is ridiculous, a tried and tested formula to explain to the audience that the hero will save the girl, come what may. Add to it the songs. They are not required all the time. We know the hero is confused. The makers want to throw a song at us. We know the hero is hurt. There is a a song for that. We know the hero is fighting. There is a song for that too! Karthik Gattamneni's ideas don't work in these portions.
Tridha Choudhury is another interesting addition to Telugu cinema. A wafer sheet of gullibility runs through her face. She does accept this Sun-feared gentleman with a smile before the closing credits show up. Are you saying that the story is impractical? Maybe. Hey, but what's love about if it's not about loving for who they are. In that sense, Gattamneni's film works big-time.
'Surya vs Surya' is a thoroughly enjoyable fair. It's the season's recommended 'ice gola'.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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