Nagabandham Review

Producer Abhishek Nama has turned into a full-fledged Director with a VFX intense movie, Nagabandham. The movie starring Pedha Kapu fame Virat Karna has attracted eyeballs for its Devotional Backdrop, Sprawling Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Set, and the quality.

What is the Movie About?

Nagabandham is a power cast over a door guarding something which makes those who get it the winner of the Universe. To open the door, they should get a Book, a Brahma Kamalam in the Srirangam Temple, and some holy scriptures. The rest is all about how a couple of baddies are after it and how Rudra (Virat Karna) stops them.

Performances:

Virat Karna’s physique is apt for the role of Rudra and a Naga Sadhu. The physique has become so helpful in the action sequences. But then, the script does not offer him anything extraordinary. He is yet to mature as an actor especially with his expressions and emotions. Nabha Natesh is fine with looks but again struggled in performance. Jagapathi Babu is okay in a formulaic role. Daksha Nagarkar and Ishwarya Menon got roles like cameos with hardly anything notable. Mahesh Manjrekar and Murali Sharma were perfectly cast. Garuda Ram is perfect as Bairagi. There are many notable actors playing little roles.

Technicalities:

Nagabandham is technically brilliant with extraordinary sets, good VFX, and some great Production Design. In particular, the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy set and the set with Dasavatharalu are excellent. The background score by Junaid Kumar and Abhe is excellent but songs except Namo Re song did not turn out well. Soundarrajan’s Visuals are great. A very few VFX shots are tacky especially those with snakes. Editing should have been a lot better in both the halves. 196 Minutes Runtime is way too much. Production Values are brilliant.

Positives:

Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Set
Largely Good VFX Portions

Negatives:

Unnecessary Family Drama
Poor Writing
Confusing Screenplay
Repeat Sequences in Second Half

Analysis:

Nagabandham has a very familiar story. There is a Supernatural Power guarded by a few elements like Nagabandham Book, a Brahma Kamalam, and a Holy Scripture. There is a gang going after it and our Hero plays defender. We have seen numerous stories and films with this line. But at the same time, it can still be a saleable line given that Nagabandham has extraordinary Production design and impressive VFX.

But then, director Abhishek Nama let the film down by poor screenplay and insipid writing. The initial portions of the film are very intriguing right from the titles design. But then, the film slips into routine with the family drama. Again the Temple sequence and Namo Re song leaves with a good feeling. However, it does not last long. Two songs including the romantic song and another one that comes almost immediately are complete speed breakers.

The interval sequence is a neatly designed action sequence resembling Animal interval fight. However, it does not sit well in the film because it is not accompanied by the right emotion.

The second half is a bigger mess. The director delves into the actual story but then, the writing becomes even bigger problem here. We have too many twists, too many subplots, and the quest to say too many details. We also get Multiple Flashbacks which also do not serve the purpose. We also get a feeling of repetition in that phase.

Finally, Nagabandham is an ambitious outing which should be commended for its technical output as the makers spent more on the making than remunerations. But then, a similar ambition is not felt in the writing department making it a disappointing fare.

Bottomline: Big Ambition, Disappointing Output

Rating: 2.25/5

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