Saagasam review: An average entertainer
Director: Arun Raj Varma
Cast: Prashanth, Nassar, Amanda, Thambi Ramaiah, Sonu Sood
Actor Prashanth’s Saagasam is a faithful remake of successful Telugu movie, Julai (starring Allu Arjun). Although the film lacks the nativity and turns predictable in the second half, it’s a decent comeback vehicle for Prashanth, who was on a sabbatical.
Ravi (Prashanth) is a carefree youngster, who challenges his dad (Nassar) that he can convert ten thousand into one lakh in just two hours and invests all the money in cricket betting. On his way to the club, Ravi meets a notorious criminal Bittu (Sonu Sood) and unintentionally elaborates him about the betting culture in two famous clubs in Chennai.
Bittu, who is waiting for the right opportunity to rob a bank informs the police about the cricket betting and diverts them to the club. When cops are about to take Ravi into custody, he tells them about the heist and together, they arrests Bittu.
The rest of the film is all about the cat and mouse game between Ravi and Bittu with the usual flavors of Telugu commercial potboilers.
Prashanth has given his best to get into the shoes of typical mass action hero and needless to say, the actor shines well in action and dance sequences while he seems to have lost his touch in comic and emotional elements. The first half of Saagasam has some good moments including the bank heist scene (inspired from Dark Knight) and the interval action block but things turn predictable in the second half.
Soonu Sood looks powerful as the brilliant villain while Thambi Ramaiah’s comic portions have worked out well in the movie. The rest of the actors including Nassar, Kotta Srinivasa Rao and MS Baskar are just adequate. The newcomer Amanda, who plays the female lead is just okay but her effort in lip-sync is laudable.
The outstanding factor about Saagasam is Thaman’s pulsating BGM and peppy songs. Although the songs are speed breakers, the choreography and beats are enjoyable.
Overall, Saagasam might attract audiences who love Telugu commercial entertainers but for others, it’s just another average entertainer.
