Taj Mahal

Movie Review : Taj Mahal Review Previous Next Movie Gallery Wallpapers Movie Review Movie Review Updated on: 20 Mar 2010 Views: 3060 User Rating: 3.60/5 Rating 2.25/5

Casting: Shivaji’s latest movie Taj Mahal’ (also his debut as a producer) movie promises a lot with an improbable plot. Let’s see how the film goes

Producer: Shivaji Sontineni
Director: Arun Singaraju

Story: Chandu
Dialogues: Gangotri Vishwanath
Camera: Srinivas Reddy
Cast: Shivaji, Shruti, Raghu Babu, MS Narayana, Brahmanandam, Venu Madhav

Story:

Ajay (Shivaji) is an Engineering student who is crazy about Shruthi (Shruthi).He’s trying to grab her attention, but his efforts will be in vain. On the flip side, Shruthi is relishing the company of a stranger, Kumar, through mobile conversations. One day, Ajay proposes to Shruthi at coffee outing. What’s Shruthi’s response after that? Does she accept or how did things shape up after that forms the rest of the story.

Analysis:

The movie starts off with not so seasoned artists. You cannot spot even a recognized star, which makes audience loose the interest. Later, the film gains momentum. Although the plot is pretty interesting - where a girl talks to stranger (her love), the film does not have the required trigger and emotion to excite.

The entire first half looks like a prequel, as it does not have anything to talk about. It only lays the foundation for the rest of the plot. Now good an idea that? Leaving the entire first half to form the foundation for the actual plot in the second half did not work. The characterization has been handled pretty decently though throughout the length by Arun Singaraju. Few scenes like the college talent show promised a lot, but failed to convey anything in the end.

The second half was not griping. ‘Taj Mahal’ is not a great idea, but Arun Singaraju does a decent job. Nevertheless, the film fails to live up to the Telugu Cinema standards. There’s too much of drama taking centre stage rather the plot. Crucial scenes have been miscarried, and the characters failed to do justice like when Ajay has not hope left in the plot, he still performs his duty as a beau.

There’s no uniqueness and freshness in the film as one would expect. Particularly, Ajay’s enthusiasm to do anything for Shruthi lacks conviction. Aarthi Agarwal does an item song for ‘Mayadaari Maisammo’ song looks pointless and so as the characters of Venu Madhav and Brahmanandam not in sync with the plot.

Performances:

Sivaji does not fit as a college chap, but he has drawn his experience in the second half. He has got it all wrong in terms of expressions, emotions and style, but he compensated for all these in the second half.

Shruti does OK. There’s no great substance in her character to showcase, but she’s done reasonably well and makes a confident debut. She looks good on-screen. But her character lacks the judgment and decision making ability something the story writer needs to do.

Kota Srinivas Rao, Nazar, Raghu babu Krishna Begawan and Chitram Sreenu were adequate.

Most of the film has been shot in Vizag and some of the songs in Bangkok. The visuals of the sea in couple of songs are brilliantly canned and they compliment the character’s sadness. Editing is alright although it could have been better in first half.

Lastly, ‘Taj Mahal’ movie should have started with decent home work as it lacks emotions. It is film that is low on style and appearance. The plot doesn't promise too much and is pretty ordinary.