Paisa Vasool: Only for fans

Director Puri Jagannadh fails to cast his spell in an outlandish tale which can't even be saved by Balayya
Paisa Vasool: Only for fans

Every time a Puri Jagannadh film releases, audience throng the theatres with an open mind. But, barring one or two films, in recent times, people are pulling down the shutters midway owing to the cliché narratives and stale story-lines. In his latest release Paisa Vasool too, the director recycles the same story with the help of Balakrishna.

Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Shriya Saran, Muskan Sethi, Kyra Dutt
Director: Puri Jagannadh

Paisa Vasool is the story of a socially gawky and half-witted criminal Theda Singh (Balakrishna), who is deputed by the RAW agency to eliminate the dreaded gangster Bob Marley (Vikramjeet Virk). Puri knows how to present his protagonist well with the right mix of attitude and swag. Theda Singh is an unpredictable hero with a larger-than-life image, who ends up as the saviour of the intelligence agency. Throughout the film, Balakrishna displays consistency and does all the quirky moves to bring his character to life. The director's given Balayya a makeover, and he sends fans into a tizzy with crackling one-liners.

Like most of Puri Jagannadh’s earlier films, Paisa Vasool is a rehash of the director’s many eccentric characterisations and stories in the action genre. The movie is defeated by a meandering plot and crude lingo. Moreover, it’s hard to give the convoluted tale any credit as the writing appears uncreative and slothful. Comedy is also Puri’s forte, but this time, he succumbs to his hero admiration and fails to dish out anything worthwhile in that department. Ali’s role is poorly etched and this could well be one of the major set backs of the film. Balayya alone holds the film together with his impeccable-yet-distinct dialogue delivery.

The first hour is good in bits and pieces with Balayya taking the center stage and a few scenes manage to hold our interest. Post the interval break, the second hour is completely messed up and the proceedings go haywire. Things do improve after Bob Marley’s escape, but by that time, the damage is already done. The Portugal episodes are dull and boring. The twist doesn’t add any excitement either.

Balakrishna puts his soul into it and carries the film on his shoulders. Although he goes over the top to get the act right, the energy and magnetism he displays as Theda Singh is praiseworthy. But, his character has some uncanny similarities to the protagonists of Pokiri, Buddha Hoga Tera Baap and Temper leaving the impression that an actor of Balakrishna’s stature deserves better.

It looks like Shriya Saran got a wonderful holiday to the picturesque Portugal as the female lead of the film. Muskaan and Kyra Dutt end up as just eye candies. Vikramjeet Virk and Amit Kumar are alright as the baddies, while Ali, Prudhvi and Kabir Bedi can’t make their presence felt in insignificant roles.

Anup Rubens music is appealing, but the background score fails to elevate the mood of the film. It’s time for Puri to reinvent himself with some refreshing concepts. He's made this film to appease only Balakrishna’s fans. As the popular saying goes, Paisa Vasool is for fans and family. Outsiders are not allowed!

Related Stories

No stories found.
Cinema Express
www.cinemaexpress.com