Tillu Square Movie Review: Subjugated by ambition

Tillu Square Movie Review and Rating

Cast: Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Anupama Parameswaran, Prince Cecil, Murali Sharma, Muralidhar Goud

Crew:
Written by Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Mallik Ram, Ravi Anthony
Music by Ram Miriyala, Achu Rajamani, Bheems Ceciroleo(Background score)
Cinematography by Sai Prakash Ummadisingu
Editing by Naveen Nooli
Produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi
Directed by Mallik Ram

Tillu Square Movie Rating: 3/5

DJ Tillu became a surprise sensational hit post its release. No one anticipated Siddhu Jonnalagadda to crack such a character and movie ran on his shoulders like a racing car. Makers have immediately decided to bring a sequel and Tillu Square released on 29th March, after few delays. Anupama Parameswaran’s look and mystery behind her character have been talking points after promotional material released. Let’s talk about the movie in detail.

Plot:
Tillu(Siddhu Jonnalagadda) and his family start Tillu Events, an event organising company. He becomes a hot favourite in the town post the success of his DJ Tillu song. He organises a party for his friends and at the party, he meets Lily(Anupama Parameswaran). The meeting turns into an one-night stand. She disappears after the night and Tillu with his friends start searching for her. One day, at a medical hospital, he accidentally comes across Lilly and gets to know that she is pregnant.

Tillu Square Movie Review and Rating
Tillu Square Movie Review and Rating

Even though he doubts about it, he accepts the responsibility and decides to marry her. After few days, he gets to know that Lilly is an officer belonging to ISF, Indian Special Forces. She blackmails Tillu to kill a mafia don(Murali Sharma) using his involvement in the murder of Rohit. He has to either decide to kill him or accept his hand in the murder. What will he do? Why Lilly wants him to kill the don? Watch the movie to know more.

Analysis:
Siddhu Jonnalagadda has been able to create a cult following for himself as Tillu. Even in the sequel he has been able to find the perfect timing and pacing to crack the character, again. His one-liners and expressions in difficult situations provide wholesome entertainment to the fans and viewers. As a writer as well, he wrote best lines for himself and other characters, too.

Anupama Parameswaran’s look designed taking Anjelina Jolie’s Lara Croft as inspiration and her raunchy outfits, hot makeover are highlights, too. All other actors also performed well within the limits. But Siddhu Jonnalagadda stands out. And that is a negative too. The cameo by Neha Sshetty got loud cheers but comic lines by others did not get the same response. It does say about the writing for other characters.

Even direction is weak compared to the original. Many shots and scene composition looks too weak for a screwball comedy to work big time like DJ Tillu. Scenes that doesn’t have Tillu character turn out to be even weaker than others. With a better handling of scenes and screenplay the movie would have been even tighter and delivered a better theatrical experience.

Siddhu Jonnalagadda stands out again as Tillu in Tillu Square
Siddhu Jonnalagadda stands out again as Tillu in Tillu Square

Songs fit well but background score could’ve been better. Screenplay seems to have been written keeping only the first one in mind. Trying to make it as closely relatable to the first one as possible also hampers the narrative. It seems like we are asked to remember the first one and then relate it to the second one rather than Tillu being asked to handle a completely different problem.

This aspect does make this sequel a forced one rather than an organically decided upon one. Scenes seem to be assembled on editing table at places and at places seems like have been thought after looking at the first one again and again. So, leaving everything on Tillu’s shoulders makers tried to hit the bullseye with this one. To some extent he tried to save it but Tillu Square ends up being a forced sequel to original than a required one. Still, it manages to entertain in bits and pieces.

Positives:
Siddhu Jonnalagadda’s performance
Tillu’s one-liners
Anupama character’s oomph factor
Few pokes at modern day relationships

Tillu Square Movie Review and Rating
Tillu Square Movie Review and Rating

Negatives:
Narrative is too Jerky and Spasmodic
Feels like repeat of original
Few jokes don’t land perfectly
Twists for the sake of it

Tillu Square Movie Bottom-line: Underwhelming yet for Tillu Fans, only!

Sasidavane: Godari Atu Vaipo song is a romantic treat