Anaganaga Oka Raju

Anaganaga Oka Raju Movie Review Rating:

Star Cast: Naveen Polishetty, Meenakshi Chaudhary

Director: Maari

What’s Good: Naveen Polishetty’s electric energy that could literally power a small town, and a script that knows exactly when to stop joking.

What’s Bad: A script that does not know how to talk impactfully after the jokes stop!

Loo Break: Anytime you want!

Watch or Not?: Yes, it entertains throughout!

Language: Telugu (originally)

Available On: Still in theaters, but also streaming on Netflix

Runtime: 2 hours 30 minutes

User Rating:

This year, an average budget film has turned into the most profitable Indian film so far, and as soon as Anaganaga Oka Raju dropped online, I had to watch, out of curiosity and my love for Naveen Polishetty! I have been following the actor’s body of work ever since his TVF days, and he has not disappointed me with his comic timing ever! He did not disappoint with his latest film, Anaganaga Oka Raju, as well!

Set against the backdrop of a big, fat, Indian wedding, gone wrong, the film is more than just a slapstick comedy; it very cleverly turns into a social drama exploring local politics and the grassroots level issues people in Indian villages face in general!

Anaganaga Oka Raju Movie Review: Script Analysis

The story is set in a village where Raju (Naveen Polishetty), son of a zamindar, is considered a very wealthy man, owing to the legacy of his ancestors! Raju carries forward the image, but he is not the rich and royal man he is believed to be! In fact, he is in huge debt and plans to marry a single child girl so that he can acquire all her wealth and ease his life and debts. His search ends at Meenakshi Chaudhary‘s Charulata, the daughter of a wealthy man from another village! Raju sets a trap to fish Charulatha, and a great Indian wedding follows, leading to an Uno Reverse he did not expect!

What starts as a series of laughter gags slowly unravels into a deeper narrative about debt, the pressure of living a lavish life, and maintaining your status, even if you are struggling financially, and eventually, the film takes a steep turn towards politics!

Anaganaga Oka Raju Movie Review: Star Performance

Naveen Polishetty‘s brand of comedy should be celebrated. I mean, he clearly is the best find of Tollywood in recent years. He channels his frantic energy, impeccable comic timing, and a unique ability to make self-deprecation look heroic, and all of this makes him the heartbeat of the movie. As Raju, Naveen captures the modern youth coming from the grassroots with a hilarious vision.

However, he also seems to struggle with his transition in the final act. When the comedy recedes and the drama takes over, Naveen proves his range. He shifts from a hyperactive comedian to a vulnerable man and partner. The film is still a one-man show, and Naveen Polishetty carries it efficiently on his shoulders!