Film: Paisa Vasool; Cast: Balakrishna, Shriya; Director: Puri Jagannadh
Every time a Puri Jagannadh film releases, audience throng the theatres with an open mind. Barring one or two films in the recent times, people are pulling down the shutters midway owing to his cliche narratives and stale story-lines. In his latest release Paisa Vasool too, the director recycles the same story with the help of Balakrishna. Paisa Vasool is the story of a socially gawky and half-witted criminal Theda Singh (Balakrishna), who was deputed by the RAW agency to eliminate the dreaded gangster Bob Marley (Vikramjeet Virk). Puri knows how to present his protagonist well with a right mix of attitude and a swag. Theda Singh is an unpredictable hero with a larger than life image and he ends up as the saviour to the intelligence agency. Through out the film, Balakrishna displays consistency and does all the quirky moves to bring his character to life. The director gave a makeover to Balayya and sent fans into a tizzy with crackling one-liners.
Like most of Puri’s earlier films, Paisa Vasool was a rehash of the director’s many eccentric charactarisations and stories which were inhabited in the action genre. The movie was defeated by a meandering plot and crude lingo. Moreover, it’s hard to give a convoluted tale some discernment as the writing appears uncreative and slothful. Comedy is also Puri’s forte but this time, he succumbed to his hero admiration and failed to dish out any high tide in that department.
Ali’s role was poorly etched and this could well be one of the major set backs of the film. Balayya alone takes the mantle to entice the audience with his impeccable yet distinct dialogue delivery. The first hour is good in bits and pieces with Balayya taking the centre stage. A few scenes manages to hold your excitement in this hour. However, the second hour was completely messed up and the proceedings go haywire. Things only improve after Bob Marley’s escape but by that time, the damage has already been done. The Portugal episodes are boring. The twist too doesn’t add any excitement either.
Balakrishna put his soul and he carried the film on his shoulders. Although he goes over the top to get the act right, the bundle of energy and magnetism he displays is praise worthy. But, his character has some uncanny similarities with the protagonists of Pokiri, Bbuddha Hoga Tera Baap and Temper leaving an impression that an actor of Balakrishna’s stature deserves better. It looks like Shriya Saran got a wonderful holiday to the picturesque Portugal as the female lead of the film. Muskaan and Kyra Dutt end up as eye candies. Vikramjeet Virk and Amit Kumar are alright as the baddies, while Ali, Prudhvi and Kabir Bedi couldn’t make their presence felt in insignificant roles.
Anup Rubens’ music is appealing but the background score fails to elevate the mood of the film.
It’s time for Puri to reinvent himself with some refreshing concepts. He made this film to appease only Balayya’s fans. As the popular dialogue goes, Paisa Vasool is for fans and family. Outsiders are not allowed!
Rating: 2.5/5