Trivikram Srinivas latest has a different flavor from his usual family stories; the film juggles the genre of crime comedy/thriller with family story elements. The results are mixed with some working more than others. The movie majorly benefits from the performances of Venkatesh, Srinidhi Shetty, Yuvina Parthavi and Raja Prajawal; their character dynamics largely elevate the film even when the writing stagnates.
Starcast: Venkatesh, Srinidhi Shetty, Yuvina Parthavi, Raja Prajawal, Satya, Raghubabu, Nara Rohit and others
Genre: Crime comedy/ action
Writer and director: Trivikram Srinivas
Music: Thaman S
Cinematography: Ravi K Chandran
Producer: S Radha Krishna
Production Companies: Harika and Hassine Creations
Running time: 2 hours and 29 minutes
Over the years Trivikram Srinivas has become synonymous with family stories especially those involving strained relationships. It has become a cliched trope and the director’s last Guntur Kaaram in particular was heavily criticized for simply rehashing Attarintiki Daredi and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. AK (house no 47) is definitely a relief from the usual Trivikram zone. Unlike the title the family in Aadarsha Kutumbam is drastically different from the ones Trivikram has dealt with. Each come with their own back story; the details of which are better experienced on screen. This time the director has taken inspiration from the Tamil movie Blast. Just like Blast here too the interval sequence is about a family targeted by a criminal gang followed by a major action block. However, similarities with Blast end here as the film is very much its own beast.
The story of AK juggles along with two plotlines. One is a dacoit gang choosing established wealthy families or those who have become rich; they loot the family killing them brutally in the process. Running alongside this is the middle-class family of Chitti Babu Thotti and wife Swarna (Venkatesh and Srinidhi Shetty respectively). One day Chitti Babu becomes super rich thanks to a lottery ticket leading to lifestyle changes. How these two tracks interject with the backstories forms the main plot of Aadarsha Kutumbam.
A strong aspect of AK is the merging of crime with comedy; the first half in particular has a good mix of both. Whether its the initial family portions or the sudden change in fortune Trivikram keeps the viewers thoroughly engaged. The scenes establishing the dacoits gang brutality and their modus operandi also works well; the striking presence of Udaybir Sandhu creates the required dread.
As viewers you do feel tensed on whether this family will emerge safe or not. Talented comedian Satya as the intrusive neighbor is also good; his presence particularly in the pre interval block is solid. This pre interval block presents a different facet especially that of Swarna. Srinidhi Shetty in particular aces a hand-to-hand combat with a woman dacoit. The actress comic timing is also on par with Venkatesh too giving the movie some of its best moments.
Satya’s reaction shots amidst the brutal action sequence is the films biggest highlight. The second half begins interestingly too with some important revelations. However, the backstories of the four principal characters needed more punch. The emotional angle doesn’t completely work, and this is because of comedy dominance.
The songs don’t help either especially a jarring item number ‘Narayanamma’. The presence of Nivetha Pethuraj is hugely inconsequential too. On the other hand, the police characters led by Nara Rohit have their moments. Nara Rohit in particular has a solid presence and his cat and mouse with game with Venkatesh has some good moments.
On the performances front Venkatesh shines in a tailor-made part. A family man with a concoction of mass and class is very much up the actor’s sleeve and he doesn’t disappoint. Srinidhi Shetty as already said surprises with a competent act in both the action as well as comedy. Yuvina Parthavi and Raja Prajawal as the children also give good support making the dynamics interesting.
Thaman’s songs don’t work one bit but the background scores especially the scenes of action mixed with tension work well. The action choreography of Kevin Kumar in the interval and the climatic stretch deserves a special mention among the technicians.
Final word: AK (house no 47) is undoubtedly a different attempt from Trivikram. But a more impactful second half would have made this a solid comeback for the noted writer director.