Skanda Cast: Ram Pothineni, Sreeleela, Srikanth, Saiee Manjrekar, Daggubati Raja, Sharath Lohitashwa, Prithviraj, Ajay Purkar
Skanda Crew:
Written by Boyapati Srinu, Rathnam
Cinematography by Santhosh Detake
Editing by Bikkina Thammiraju
Music by SS Thaman
Directed by Boyapati Srinu
Produced by Srinivasaa Chitturi
Skanda Movie Rating: 2.25/5
Skanda is the new movie starring Ram Pothineni, Sreeleela, Saiee Manjrekar and several other seniors. Boyapati Srinu after Akanda has come up with this movie. Skanda is also new big blockbuster actioner from Ram after Ismart Shankar and Warrior. The movie released in theatres on 28th September. Let’s discuss how Skanda performs on-screen.
Skanda Plot:
Skanda revolves around a fight between two states CMs’ triggered by a love relationship between their kids. Telangana CM Ranjith Reddy(Sharath Lohitashwa) and another state CM Rayudu(Ajay Purkar), are best friends and they turn into foes. Ranjith’s son and Rayudu’s daughter elope from her marriage on marriage day. Rayudu tries to bring his man, Jacob into the game but gets to know that Jacob has been killed by an unknown man(Ram Pothineni). He gives that man the contract to kill Ranjith Reddy’s son. Skanda story takes a turn Ranjith’s daughter(Sreeleela) entry.
Bhaskar Raju(Ram Pothineni) keeps teasing her as an average figure in college. He calls himself as CM’s son-in-law. She gets irritated and agitated because of him. He unknowingly stops two assassination attempts on Ranjith. He starts to enquire about him and now, Skanda story reveals the twist of Raju’s actual plan to kidnap both CM’s daughters. Did he stop those assassination attempts knowingly? He tells them that he is kidnapping them for Rudrakangti Ramakrishna Raju(Srikanth) and asks them to come to Rudrapampuram. So, who is he actually? What does he want from these CMs? Watch Skanda to know more.
Skanda Analysis:
Boyapati Srinu is never known for mind-bending screenplays or sophisticated, slick action entertainers. He is known for being loud, over-the-top and at times, comical in showcasing “over-reactions” or exaggerated expressions. Skanda seems to have been created after Akanda became a success in the name of Lord Shiva. There is a penchant to stick to what works for him and what he truly believes in. From Bhadra days, he has been focusing on few plot points repeatedly, like villains going after heroines, hero trying to help someone from not his family. He added to them, heroes playing dual roles and one coming to save another. Skanda is no different.
Basic point is similar to many commercial potboilers but Boyapati Srinu went overboard by caricaturing two state CMs. Akanda made it acceptable by making hero equal to Lord Shiva. Skanda, while has the name of Shiva’s son, doesn’t really fit into the classic mass mould that the director envisions. Action blocks are over-stretched and over relied upon. It seems like Boyapati Srinu did not want to state much but have two scenes and then build-up and a fight scene. This pattern starts to get to audiences as the show progresses. Skanda doesn’t have a strong core to build on and it crumbles towards the climax.
Ram Pothineni has been trying hard to enter into “mass commercial” zone as a lead. Skanda is his massive step in that direction. While he delivers, Boyapati Srinu uses him just for songs, fights. Sreeleela did not impress in this movie and she might need few more to get the grip. Srikanth, Raja, Ajay Purkar, Sharath over-act as per director instructions. Gautami, Indraja have been wasted. Saiee Manjrekar doesn’t leave much impression. Major minus for this film is SS Thaman’s music and BGM. The loud score just irritates as the decibel levels increase. On the whole, Skanda tries to be Sarrainodu but falls into Vinaya Vidheya Rama and Dammu trappings.
Skanda Positives:
Ram Pothineni performance
Climax action block
One big action set piece
Skanda Negatives:
Sreeleela’s scenes
SS Thaman’s over-loud music
Script
Logic-less and senseless scenes
Too much Gore
Skanda Movie Bottom-line: Over-Boyapati style!