Amma I Love You Review: A faithful remake, eclipsed by the original

Scripts of certain films overshadow every other element of filmmaking. The director, editor, cinematographer, music director are all mere garnishes to the story of Amma I Love You. Tamil director Sasi, who also wrote the 2016 film Pichaikkaran, has already done everything necessary to inspire. The remake's director, KM Chaitanya, just had to execute it right, which he does in an appreciable manner.

Cast: Chiranjeevi Sarja, Nishvika Naidu, Sitara
Director: KM Chaitanya

The story revolves around a rich businessman, a mother in coma, a greedy brother-in-law, and of course, a love interest. The owner of Annapuraneshwari establishments, Siddharth (Chiranjeevi Sarja), inherits a huge property which his brother-in-law (Prakash Belawadi) wants to usurp. Siddharth loves his mother (Sitara) who faithfully built up the textile empire after her husband’s demise. Siddharth takes charge and everything seems to go well when his mother meets with an accident at the factory and goes into a coma.

An ascetic tells Siddharth that he has to spend 48 days as beggar after which his mother will be cured. Siddarth agrees and becomes Siddhu, spends time with beggars, keeps an eye on his business through his faithful assistant played by Giri, falls in love with Bindu (Nishvika Naidu), fights goons, and finally ends his 48 days of ‘exile’. Does his effort cure his mother? Will he be able to save his empire from his mother’s brother and will he get the girl he loves? The film takes the audience through an emotional tale of mother-son bonding.

While the film follows the original faithfully, the actors bring in some freshness. Chiranjeevi, although he mirrors Tamil actor Vijay Antony of the original, manages to exhibit a unique persona in his two avatars -- a businessman and a beggar. Debutante Nishvika Naidu as his love interest shines with the varied emotions she depicts. Sitara, Prakash Belawadi, Ravi Kale and Biradar lend credible support. Chikkana, as usual, lights up the screen with a class act.

While Shekar Chandra’s cinematography is good, the frequent action stunts, choreographered by Ravi Varma, add a nice masala element.

Amma I Love You is a fine film to watch if one goes without the hangover of the original. You never know, you might just end up calling your mother.