Malli Raava (2017): Sumanth is going through a rough pace these days as he is almost forgotten by audience and he himself should be blamed for wrong choice of films.After a disappointing Naruda Donaroda last year,Sumanth cane with a pleasant love story Malli Raava,which generated interest with its breezing promos and songs.So how is it? Plot: The story of the film showcases the lives of Karthick(Sumanth) and Anjali during the time zones of 1999, 2012 and 2017. Whenever they get close to each other some problem or the other keeps creeping up between them. Well, what are these problems and how do they get solved is the whole story of Malli Raava.
My Review: Love stories work only when they are made with fresh approach or when the lead pair has an amazing chemistry. New director Gowtam Tinnanuri has tried both techniques which worked well.The love story has three different timelines -- 1999, 2012 and 2017 and they are told in a non-linear way,which gave a new look to the film which is mostly predictable.The film goes back and forth in time and the way the problems and love scenes have been incorporated in the narration is beautiful.
Malli Raava is like a non-linear version of Yeto Vellipoindhi Manasu,where the movie is about the 3 stages of a couple's love story same like here.
Even with clichéd scenes,Malli Raava worked mostly because of two important factors which are performances and music.Heroine Akanksha Singh makes a striking debut and is show-stealer as Anjali. Acting wise, she has done well in her complex role and will surely be an actress to watch out for.There is a scene in first half where she gets emotional hearing hero's struggles to find her.She excelled in that scene.Sumanth is decent but some other actor could have done this role with much impact.Child actors thvik playing the younger version of hero is fine. Preeti Asrani is impressive.Mirchi Kiran provides good laughs.
Major highlight of the movie is Shravan Bharadwaj's songs. They are melodious and constantly appear as bit songs in the background.There are no song and dance sequences shot in exotic locales. And the songs simply conveyed the love two everyday people feel for each other in their thoughts.He surely is a talent to watch out for.
So,Malli Raava is a clichéd love story which works because of impressive actress and soulful music.
My rating 6.5/10.