157. Bheeshma ; movie review

BHEESHMA
Cert 12A
148 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence

Do you remember when the focus of the vast majority of Indian films was singing, dancing and romance?
I reckon cinema on the sub-continent has changed noticeably since I began watching it regularly 12 or so years ago.
For starters, every movie which comes to the UK is subtitled nowadays so I don't have to go through the laborious process of ringing picture houses to see if a film would be worth me watching.
And, a decade ago, there was barely a film which didn't have at least five song and dance routines regardless of the backbone subject matter.
Nowadays, more and more solid storylines are being developed and movies are tighter - many coming in at under two hours.
Therefore, it was interesting to see whether a return to tradition would work in the shape of Bheeshma.
I am disappointed to report that it doesn't. While it is true that its song and dance routines are vibrant, they cannot make up for a plot which is well-meaning but poorly executed.
Venky Kudumula's movie stars Nitin Kumar Reddy as a drop-out who falls in love at first sight for a beautiful young woman (Rashmika Mandanna).
Because she is a fervent advocate of organic farming he learns about it too in an attempt to impress her and her father.
However, marriage seems a long way off until it becomes rumoured that he is the grandson of the founder (Anant Nag) of the company for which she works.
Bheeshma is part-comedy, part-romance and part serious message about the potential dangers of chemicals being used by Indian farmers.
The latter point is reasonably well made but jokes are tepid at best and the romance is stilted.
In other words, its makers have their hearts in the right place and there will be sections of Indian society which applaud their intention.
Unfortunately, Mandanna and Nithin don't have the chemistry to ensure the remainder of the movie appeals to the mainstream.

Reasons to watch: Intriguing love story
Reasons to avoid: Not memorable

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 4.5/10

Did you know? Nithin was engaged to his long-term girlfriend in February. She has a masters in business management from the University of London.

The final word. Nithin: "Bheeshma’ is an entertainer much like ‘Dil’ with romance and action elements in appropriate portions. We are not boasting that it has a great story. No, it is a simple romantic drama with the undercurrent theme of organic farming." Telugu Cinema

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