JUNIOR Movie Review

Junior, starring Gali Janardhan Reddy’s son Kireeti alongside Sreeleela and Genelia, hit the screens today. Backed by an ensemble crew including cinematographer Senthil Kumar, music director DSP, and produced by Sai Korrapati under Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram, the film generated significant buzz particularly with the chart-topping Viral Vayyari song and a grand release across 1000+ screens for a debutant. Let’s see if this marks a perfect debut for Kireeti or something more.

Setup:

Abhi (Kireeti) is a cheerful, free-spirited guy who wants to live life on his own terms after being held back all his childhood by his overprotective father, Kodandapani (Ravi Chandran). He falls for Spoorthi (Sreeleela) during college and follows her into a software company headed by Vijaya Soujanya (Genelia), joining as an intern. Soon, a deeper connection between the company and his father’s village, Vijayanagaram, begins to unfold. How is Genelia tied to all this, and what past truths lie buried? The rest of the story answers these questions.

Technical Aspects:

Senthil Kumar’s cinematography is decent, while it doesn’t explore striking visuals or picturesque frames, it suits the commercial tone of the film. Editing by Niranjan Devaramane could have been better. The second half especially suffers from uneven pacing and loosely connected scenes. Devi Sri Prasad’s music gives the film a lift, Viral Vayyari is already a hit, and the rest of the album holds up well too. His background score significantly enhances emotional and dramatic moments. Production values by Sai Korrapati’s Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram are good, the film looks polished throughout. Director Radhakrishna Reddy opts for a tried-and-tested commercial template, prioritizing Kireeti’s launch over story innovation or character depth. With a tighter screenplay and better character development, the movie could have done a lot more.

Performances:

Kireeti makes a strong debut in Junior. He impresses with his dancing, action, emotional range, and dialogue delivery – all done with surprising ease and confidence. This film is clearly designed as a showreel of his versatility, and he delivers. Sreeleela appears mostly in the first half and ‘Viral Vayyari’ song in the second half, and though charming, her role feels limited. It’s also evident that the film was shot years ago, as her look noticeably changes between scenes. Genelia is a refreshing presence in a mature, emotional role, pulling off the corporate boss persona convincingly. Ravi Chandran adds emotional depth as the caring father. Rao Ramesh does his usual style well. Satya, Viva Harsha, and Bro Lakshman provide occasional laughs as friends/colleagues. The rest of the actors and the villains don’t make much impact and are forgettable.

Positives:

Kireeti’s confident debut
Genelia
Viral Vayyari song
Background score

Negatives:

Predictable storyline
Outdated screenplay
Weak character development

Analysis:

Junior serves primarily as a launch vehicle for Kireeti, and in that regard, it delivers what it sets out to do. Kireeti is presented in every possible shade – romantic, action, emotional, comedic, making it a full-fledged showcase of his potential. He carries himself with surprising ease, and that confidence helps keep the film engaging at places. Viral Vayyari song looks fantastic on screen.

However, beyond being a star vehicle, the film struggles with its outdated storytelling and screenplay. The core plot, emotional conflict with a father, romantic track with the heroine, and the corporate-village angle are all handled in a template-driven manner. There are too many subplots but none of them are explored deeply. The emotional moments, though present, don’t leave a lasting impression because they feel rushed or undercooked. The village backstory could have been an intriguing element, but it’s dealt with in a convenient, predictable way.

The film clearly belongs to a pre-pandemic era, both in its writing and packaging. Be it the humor, song placements, or character tropes, everything feels like a movie that was made for 2019 audiences. There are moments that work, like a few light-hearted comedy bits and emotionally charged scenes between Kireeti and Ravi Chandran.

That said, the team deserves credit for avoiding over-the-top commercial clichés or cringeworthy scenes. The film doesn’t test your patience, nor does it drag unnecessarily. It’s just that it doesn’t offer anything fresh or memorable. Viewers who enjoy old-school commercial entertainers might find it a passable watch, especially for Kireeti’s performance and DSP’s music.

In the end, Junior is more of a portfolio piece for Kireeti than a compelling film. As it stands, it’s a decent one-time watch if you keep your expectations in check.

Bottom Line: Kireeti shines in a film that plays it safe.

Rating: 2.5/5