'Bujjigadu': A foundering script, histrionics galore (Telugu film review)

By Ayyappa Prasad

Film: "Bujjigadu"; Cast: Prabhas, Trisha, Mohan Babu, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Sanjana; Music: Sandeep Chowta; Cinematography: Shyam K. Naidu; Director: Puri Jagannath; Producer: K.S. Rama Rao. Rating: **

"Bujjigadu", only meant to be a feast for Prabhas' fans, is a mix of fist-feats, feeble characters and floundering finale.

One can easily discern that this Prabhas-Trisha-Mohan Babu-starrer, whose script and direction have been credited to Puri Jagannath, has been 'inspired' by past Chennai-made hits like K. Balachander's "Maro Charitra".

The geographical separation of lovers, a villainous brother and breathtaking locales are some of the key elements of this weak plot.

Fisticuffs and the skimpily clad leading lady's abhorrence of violence are 'modern' elements added by director Puri.

Platonic lovers Bujji (Prabhas) and Chitti (Trisha) quarrel over a trifle and decide stay away from each other for years.

After roaming aimlessly in the cities of Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad, the hero morphs into a sidekick of a gangster Shivanna (Mohan Babu) and hides the secret from the baddie's sister (the separated girlfriend), who hates violence.

A combination of brain and brawn eventually buys the belle before the bell.

Though an obvious attempt by Puri to provide grist to Prabhas' histrionics, it is Mohan Babu who attracts the applause. Trisha merely lends oomph. Sanjana and Rao are mere props.

While the first half is passable, the second is a pure torture. A Rajnikanth-like element has been added to the movie to herd his fans into the cinemas.

While Sandeep Chowta's scores are scourging sounds of aural assault, Naidu's scintillating cinematography soothes the senses.