Headline: A Star Kid’s Stilted Debut, Saved Only By a Chartbuster

Junior is currently showing at the cinemas. While the project would have gone unnoticed had its debutant hero been from an ordinary family (Kireeti is Gali Janardhan Reddy’s son), it has managed to secure a very good release in theatres. While the claimed number (1000 screens) seems to be a gross exaggeration, its release is decent. Telugu Funda reviews the movie.

Telugu Funda’s reveal of the basic plot:

Abhi (Kireeti Reddy), a spirited college dreamer, chases epic adventures to etch memories that sparkle like stars. His father, Kodandapani (V. Ravichandran), yearns to weave himself into the vibrant tapestry of Abhi’s everyday life. When Abhi’s heart skips a beat for the enchanting Spoorthi (Sreeleela), his world takes a thrilling turn. Landing an internship, he finds himself under the wing of Vijay Soujanya (Genelia Deshmukh), a dynamo poised to claim the CEO crown. Their first encounter crackles with tension, but a jaw-dropping secret from Soujanya’s past flips the script.

Telugu Funda’s take on the performances:

1. Kireeti: The debutant is energetic, sometimes more than what is required. He needs to discover his strengths and find a balance somewhere. In Junior, he is below-average in the expressions department. On the dance front, he is passionate and extraordinary.
2. Genelia D’Souza (Deshmukh): Looking at her stern expression in some scenes, she shows the calibre to start a new innings. She has been repackaged for this formulaic film and fairly well.
3. Sreeleela: She is routine in a brainless part. Once again, she has to spurn the mandatory love proposal and fake annoyance at being stalked.
4. The old men: V Ravichandran, the prominent Kannada cinema veteran, is melodramatic in the role of the male lead’s father. Rao Ramesh is routine in the role of a business tycoon on the verge of retirement.
5. The comedians: Saya is better than Harsha Chemudu. The former’s workplace comedy timing deserved a couple of good scenes. Harsha should have looked a lot fresh in a college campus setting.

Telugu Funda’s take on the technical output:

No producer would have been willing to spend so much on a debutant hero’s film. Sai Korrapati bets big on Kireeti because of the newcomer’s political-business background.

Devi Sri Prasad doesn’t give his best shot. His music for Ashish Reddy’s college campus entertainer Rowdy Boys was ten times better (with the exception of the chartbusting Viral Vayyari). For the unversed, Ashish is the nephew of Dil Raju. If you see Rowdy Boys as the benchmark, Junior pales in comparison.

KK Senthil Kumar’s cinematography is average. The production values are ordinary. The village scenes are flat because of the poor scale.

Telugu Funda’s take on the Merits:

1. The Viral Vayyari song is top-notch, both musically and dance-wise. Kireeti and Sreeleela nail it. For a change, a male actor overpowers Sreeleela’s talent.
2. The storyline is decent. The climax might draw an unintentional laugh but it’s good by the standards of our cinema.
3. The 20-minute stretch leading to the interval is packed with content.
4. The first scene involving Kireeti and Genelia works to an extent.

Telugu Funda’s take on the Demerits:

1. Most of the scenes don’t realize their emotional potency because of the stilted writing.
2. The flashback is not only overlong but is also too old-school.
3. Some coincidences are extremely old-fashioned. When a character has to meet someone, life takes him there. The writing feels like it is stuck in the ’80s era.
4. The village scenes are predictable and lack ambition. For example, the character played by Achyuth Kumar doesn’t lead to anything exciting.
5. The overall vibe of the film gives the impression that it was made about ten years ago.

Telugu Funda’s Verdict:

Junior is an uninspired, old-school attempt at a campus entertainer that suffers from bland writing and a lead who is more energetic than expressive. While Viral Vayyari shines, it’s not enough to elevate this predictable and often anachronistic film.

Rating: 2

Follow Telugu Funda on trending Social Media Platforms for more Cinema, OTT, Political, And Sports updates.