Karthikeya Gummakonda in ‘Bhaje Vayu Vegam’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement.
film title, Bhaje Vayu Velam (Fast Like Wind) promises to be an action-packed entertainer, especially considering the image of its lead actor Karthikeya Gummakonda. However, what unfolds on screen is different – debutant director Prashanth Reddy has packed the film with everything he wanted, but it results in a tangled plot.
Karthikeya Gummakonda, who reached the pinnacle of fame through his acting. RX100 In 2018, he saves the film, impressing with his masculine energy, fitness and screen presence. Madhu Srinivas’ story takes us back to the 1960s or 1970s mainly because of the characters and events portrayed. Senior actors Tanikella Bharani and P. Ravi Shekar do justice to their roles.
Bhaje Vayu Vegam (Telugu)
Director: Prashanth Reddy
Mould: Karthikeya Gummakonda, Tanikella Bharani, Ravi Shankar, Rahul Tyson, Iswarya Menon
Runtime: 136 minutes
Plot: Two village brothers move to the big city to pursue their dreams, but circumstances land them in trouble as they go up against a dangerous local gangster
The old story goes like this: A poor farmer (Tanikella Bharani) raises his son Raju (played by Rahul Tyson) in poverty and also adopts his friend’s orphan son Venkat (Karthikeya). Eventually, the two leave the village to pursue their dreams in Hyderabad. While Raju wants to work in a software firm, Venkat aims to make it big as a professional cricketer. The father feels that the sons are making it big in the city, but Venkat gets involved in cricket betting to earn money while Raju works as a parking valet in a star hotel and they live in a hut.
The naïve boys are duped by local goons and politicians. Raju and Venkat land in trouble when their father’s health deteriorates and they need Rs. 20 lakhs for his surgery.
Played by Ravi Shankar, Ravi Shankar shines as a dangerous villain. Venkat’s impulsive desire to get involved in cricket (or IPL) betting to help his father’s surgery lands him in trouble as he meets David along the way, who controls the city.
Raju and Venkat steal David’s expensive luxury car. Will the two be able to raise money for the surgery? Why is David upset about the car going missing? The director has incorporated hawala, cricket betting, money laundering, drug menace and fatherly emotions in his plot, making it a boring story for the audience.
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Iswarya Menon plays Venkat’s girlfriend. While the first half moves at a slow pace, the second half is action-packed. The problem with the film is that the audience doesn’t feel sympathetic or connected to either Venkat or Raju, as they get into trouble mainly due to their own decisions and incompetence.
Emotional acting may not be Karthikeya’s strength, but he impresses in dance and action sequences. If you have the patience for a template action film, then definitely watch this one.
Bhaje Vayu Vegam is currently running in theatres
