Film: Srirastu Subhamastu
Cast: Allu Sirish, Lavanya Tripathi
Director: Parasuram
Rating: 2 stars
There's a thin line between narrating and preaching, between acting and exaggerating, between courting and stalking, between striking an emotional chord and doling out a mind-numbing lecture. Unfortunately, director Parasuram's latest film Srirastu Subhamastu finds itself on the wrong side of this line.
The director has roped in strong character artistes and given them meaty roles, albeit with a complete lack of depth.
The 'emotional' entertainer looks more like a forced injection of various subjects rather than a meaningful story -- and the result is predictably boring. Sirish (Allu Sirish), a rich boy, falls in love with a middle-class girl Anu (Lavanya Tripathi). Sirish's father (Prakash Raj) is against him bringing any middle-class girl into his home, since he feels they are after his money and marry only to secure their future and become crorepatis overnight.
To prove his father wrong, Sirish conceals his real identity and tries to win over Anu as just a normal guy, without any money or lands. Will she accept him for what he is? Does love win or money? Who will win the battle between Sirish and his father? The answers to these questions forms the crux of the story.
The sheer lack of connect with the audience is the biggest drawback in Srirastu Subhamastu. To begin with, the love story is flawed and completely unrealistic. This film yet again highlights the disgusting stalking trend in southern films, where the male protagonist chases after the heroine even after clear signals from them that they don't want them. For instance, despite Anu clearly telling Sirish that she doesn't like him, he's totally convinced that she is, because he can see it in her eyes (really now?).
Also, he miraculously convinces her (when she's a complete stranger) to let him stay in her house -- and to sleep in the same room, since he's afraid to sleep alone (who are we kidding?).Sirish also seems to know more about Anu than she knows about herself. He speaks for her, decides for her and blatantly announces what her feelings are, without really discussing them with her. It is a sorry excuse for a love story.
The director touches upon issues like how there's a status discrimination between the wealthy and middle-class, and how middle-class women are mistreated after they're married into wealthier families. But the way these issues are handled are amateurish. They end up feeling like long sermons and bores the audience completely.
Also, Rao Ramesh randomly starts delivering emotional monologues in almost every frame he is in. We get it that he loves his daughter, but does he have to tell her how much she means to him every single day? It is almost cringe-worthy.
SS Thaman's music is adequate, and the humour is good in parts, with Ali providing a few laughs. The hill stations in the north shown in the opening sequences, look wonderful. But that's pretty much it as far as Srirastu Subhamastu is concerned.
The lead actors Allu Sirish and Lavanya Tripathi put in decent performances but are let-down by terrible characterisation. Lavanya's character in particular, was poorly written. Great talents like Rao Ramesh, Prakash Raj and Tanikella Bharani are wasted in this film.
With needless emotions, lacklustre love story and an awfully predictable climax, Srirastu Subhamastu is a complete yawn-fest. Watch it at your own risk.