Release Date: October 22, 2015 Author Rating: 2.75/5 Director: R. Samala Producer: Ashwani Kumar Sahdev Music Director: Jithin Roshan Starring: Sumanth Ashwin, Seerat Kapoor, Mishti Chakraborty
Sumanth Ashwin is gradually carving out a niche for himself in Tollywood. Following a moderate success with "Kerintha," he returns with the romantic drama "Columbus," featuring Seerat Kapoor and Mishti Chakraborty. The film hit theaters on October 22, 2015. Let's delve into how it fares.
Ashwin (Sumanth Ashwin) is a college student who falls head over heels for Indu (Mishti Chakraborty). His infatuation leads him to neglect his career aspirations, focusing solely on Indu. This behavior frustrates Indu, who eventually moves to Delhi, leaving Ashwin heartbroken. Determined to win her back, Ashwin follows her to Delhi, only to get entangled in a murder mystery. By the time he clears his name, Indu has moved on. Enter Neeraja (Seerat Kapoor), who offers to help Ashwin find Indu. As Ashwin and Neeraja grow closer, complications arise. Who will Ashwin ultimately choose? This forms the crux of the story.
The romantic subplot between Ashwin and Neeraja is handled with finesse. Such narratives are relatively fresh in Telugu cinema, and the chemistry between Sumanth Ashwin and Seerat Kapoor is commendable. Sumanth Ashwin has shown significant improvement, particularly in his dialogue delivery and comedic timing. Seerat Kapoor delivers an impressive performance, while Mishti Chakraborty, though limited in scope, plays her part well. The second half of the film is its strongest asset, with well-executed twists and engaging sequences that reveal Ashwin's true love.
A major drawback is the weak characterization of key players. The relationship between Mishti and Ashwin lacks depth and fails to create a compelling chemistry. The film becomes predictable and follows a single agenda without much variation. Saptagiri's comedic scenes feel out of place and fail to elicit laughs. Some crucial characters are underutilized, and Neeraja's plan to reunite Ashwin and Mishti feels overly cinematic. The first half of the film is routine and lacks engaging content.
The cinematography is decent, presenting the film in a visually appealing manner. Production values are solid, and the dialogues are well-written. Jithin Roshan's music and background score are commendable. Director R. Samala's narration is average; despite choosing a novel scenario, the execution falls short.
Overall, "Columbus" is another triangular love story with its share of moments. The romantic track between Seerat Kapoor and Sumanth Ashwin, along with the engaging second half, are notable highlights. However, the routine first half and weak characterizations disrupt the film's flow. If you enjoy youthful love stories and have some free time this weekend, "Columbus" might be worth a watch. Otherwise, it can be skipped.
"Columbus" offers a blend of romance and drama with a few engaging moments. While it has its strengths, particularly in the second half, the film's predictability and weak character development are significant drawbacks. Fans of romantic dramas might find it enjoyable, but it may not appeal to a broader audience.
For more insights into Telugu cinema, check out The Hindu's Entertainment section and IMDb's Telugu movie listings.
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