Hanu-Man Review: A Family Treat
Many people have been talking about “Hanu-Man” ever since the trailer came out. Even though it doesn’t include any A-list actors or actresses, the picture has managed to captivate moviegoers everywhere.
In 1998, a little boy from Saurashtra named Michael dressed up like Superman and acted just like him. When Michael’s mom says that becoming a superhero means helping others, he gets disappointed and kills them. After that, we jump ahead to the present.
Anjanadri is a village where Hanumanthu and his sister Anjamma live, played by Teja Sajja and Varalaxmi Sarath Kumar, respectively. After finishing medical school, Meenakshi (Amritha Aiyer) returns to her hometown. After a rowdy group attacks her and she falls into a river, Hanumanth tries to save the day.
During this incident, Hanumanth finds a stone in the sea with divine characteristics. His life transforms dramatically when the stone falls into his hands, bestowing him sudden and extraordinary powers.
After Michael learns about Hanumanth’s abilities, he rushes to Anjanadri to attempt to take the stone.
Highlights in performance:
As a young man who is initially weak but becomes Superman through divine intervention, Teja Sajja is an admiral pick for the part. The role calls for a slim, unassuming actor, like a real-life superhero. The part is perfect for Teja, and she gives a terrific performance.
Some of the film’s comedy actors, such as Satya and Getup Sreenu, are also involved.
The performance of Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, who plays Teja’s sister, is adequate.
Vinay Rai, who plays the antagonist, is terrifying and does a great job with the role.
As the leading lady, Amritha Aiyer does a respectable job. However, Vennela Kishore’s performance falls flat in the story.
Technical:
The film’s visual effects and tune are two things that blow our minds. The visual effects team and director Prashanth Varma pulled off some remarkable work with a relatively small budget.
Shivendra’s cinematography is outstanding; it really brings the picture to life. Gowri Hara composed an enthralling score for the film, and his work in the closing scenes is especially noteworthy.
Analysis:
The director, Prasanth Varma, claims this film will be the pilot episode of his Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU). Though it has its share of problems, “Hanu-Man” provides a slightly different experience by fusing current superhero film techniques with Indian mythical motifs. This is true even though it is not the first superhero film in Telugu cinema.
Taking a page out of Lord Hanuman’s spiritual playbook, this heroic picture starkly contrasts Hollywood fare.
“Hanu-Man” introduces the antagonist before moving on to a tribal village and telling the story of Teja’s Hanumanthu, the protagonist.
The title card doesn’t show up until thirty minutes into the film to get to the meat of the story—the hero acquiring superpowers. However, there’s an interesting sequence involving Teja’s rescue of Amritha, which causes him to fall into the river.
Scenes set in the village, particularly those involving the protagonist and his sister Varalaxmi, have an air of antiquity. Maybe the director was going for a slow buildup of tension, or maybe these moments just seemed boring.
With all of the tribal hamlet’s problems and attitudes, it feels like you’re back in the 1980s. The villain uses state-of-the-art equipment like drones, computer-equipped caravans, JCBs, cranes, and helicopters, while the peasants act like they’re in an old movie. The middle sections, which take place in the village, can thus seem disjointed.
The villain plays a stereotypical character, and the writing and execution of the sentiment thread between Teja and Varalaxmi are also lacking.
But the film really shines in the last few minutes. There is superb narration and cinematography in these last thirty minutes, which add drama, action, a devotional vibe, and buildup. No one sees Lord Hanuman’s complete figure until the very end.
Lord Hanuman’s last discovery is the film’s strongest point, and Gowri Hara’s superb background score helps set the mood for devotion. The deciding factor is the last moments and the reveal of part two.
At many stages in the film, director Prasanth Varma displays his lofty ambitions.
In conclusion, “Hanu-Man” provides an enjoyable experience as a devotional superhero film because of its outstanding climax, stunning images, fascinating score, and devotional zeal. Despite some missed reasoning, the film succeeds in engaging with its magic. It’s family-friendly and perfect for kids.
Movie: Hanu-Man
ibomma Rating: 3/5
Cast: Teja Sajja, Amritha Aiyer, Varalakshmi Sarath Kumar, Vinay Rai, and others
Screenplay: Scriptsville
Music: GowraHari, Anudeep Dev, Krishna Saurabh
DOP: Shivendra
Production Designer: Sri Nagendra Tangala
Editor: Saibabu Talari
Producer: Niranjan Reddy
Written and Directed by Prasanth Varma
Release Date: Jan 12, 2024
