Mr. Bachchan Review: Ravi Teja Shines In This Not So Great Telugu Remake Of Ajay Devgn's Raid

Mr. Bachchan review: The film is a mass entertainer crafted in a commercial format, filled with Ravi Teja's energy, his vibrant dance moves, and foot-tapping songs.

Mr. Bachchan review: When you watch the songs and promotional material for ‘Mr. Bachchan,’ it's clear that director Harish Shankar has successfully captured how fans and audiences want to see Ravi Teja. The songs, in particular, have become chartbusters. But what about the movie itself? How does this commercial entertainer, which borrows a concept from the Hindi film ‘Raid,’ fare? 

Storyline

Mr. Bachchan (Ravi Teja) is an honest Income Tax officer whose integrity leads to his suspension. He returns to his hometown, Kotipalli, where he is known as Kotipalli Kumar Sanu and sings in an orchestra with his friends. He falls in love with Jikki (Bhagyashree Borse), and she reciprocates. Just as his suspension is lifted and the families are preparing for the wedding, Bachchan receives orders to conduct a raid on MP Muthyam Jaggayya (Jagapathi Babu). 

What does Bachchan discover during the raid? What conflict arises between Jaggayya's brother and Bachchan? How do the political bigwigs in Delhi get involved? These questions drive the rest of the film. 

How is the film

Remaking a successful film in another language and achieving the same success is no easy task. If the remake is too faithful, it risks being criticised as unoriginal; if it's altered too much, it might not work. Harish Shankar, however, has a track record of taking hit stories from other languages and delivering them with his unique touch. With 'Mr. Bachchan,' he brings his own flair to the 'Raid' storyline, making significant changes to the characters and plot. The central theme of the IT raid is retained, but the narrative and characters are altered, with the actual raid not even starting until after the interval. 

Fans of Ravi Teja and Harish Shankar will find many elements they expect from this duo in the film. The first hour is packed with entertaining characters and scenes, keeping the pace brisk without delving too deeply into the plot. The interval block is well-executed, with songs and scenes falling into place perfectly. However, the second half presents problems. Once the raid begins, the film struggles to balance commercial appeal and storytelling. The changes made to the original narrative, especially in the comedic elements, don't always land. The comedy track featuring 'Chammak' Chandra feels forced, turning what should be a thrilling ride into a mixed experience. The songs are good, but their placement in the second half feels off. 

Another issue with 'Mr. Bachchan' is the excessive use of Hindi songs. This might work for city-based audiences in Hyderabad or Visakhapatnam, but what about viewers unfamiliar with Kumar Sanu or Hindi tracks? For those who haven't seen the Hindi 'Raid,' 'Mr. Bachchan' will be an enjoyable experience, at least in the first half. The real challenge comes after the interval, where the serious raid scenes clash with the misplaced comedy, leaving Harish Shankar's signature style struggling to shine through. The comedic trio of Chammak Chandra, Rohini, and Prabhas Sreenu fail to contribute meaningfully to the story. 

Music

Before the film's release, Mickey J. Meyer's music was already a blockbuster hit. The soundtrack includes a mix of melodies and mass numbers that appeal to a wide audience, and Harish Shankar's visual style enhances the songs. The picturization, especially of the mass numbers, will surely have B and C center audiences cheering. The background score is also commendable, and the use of old songs is praiseworthy. The cinematography by Ayananka Bose, with its period lighting and patterns, adds a significant touch. Technically, the film is top-notch, and producer TG Vishwa Prasad spared no expense, with every rupee visible on screen. 

Perfromances

Ravi Teja's energetic performance is well-matched by Harish Shankar's writing. The first half flows with Ravi Teja's dynamic dialogue delivery and dance moves, sure to be enjoyed by fans and general audiences alike. In the raid scenes in the second half, Ravi Teja shows command in both his acting and dialogue delivery. Bhagyashree Borse, in her Telugu debut, looks beautiful and delivers a solid performance, with her chemistry with Ravi Teja standing out. 

Swamy Ra Ra Satya gets another meaty role, delivering strong performances and comic relief. Satyam Rajesh, Giridhar, and others contribute to the group of friends, while the scenes between Ravi Teja and Tanikella Bharani as father and son are well done. Jagapathi Babu's performance as Muthyam Jaggayya is solid, although the comedic roles played by Chammak Chandra, Annapurnamma, and Rohini fail to amuse. 

Final verdict

'Mr. Bachchan' is a mass entertainer crafted in a commercial format, filled with Ravi Teja's energy, his vibrant dance moves, and foot-tapping songs. Swamy Ra Ra Satya's comedy brings some laughs, but it doesn't offer a complete commercial theatrical experience. Is this the film that audiences expected from Harish Shankar? The answer might be "picture abhi baaki hai dost!" Fans of Mass Maharaja will likely enjoy the stylish avatar of Ravi Teja after a long time, with his signature comedy intact. Mickey J. Meyer's music deserves special mention for elevating the film's appeal.