‘Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy’ Is a Rousing Comeback by Chiranjeevi

The word ‘Sye’ in Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy is basically a call to action, a war cry often used in traditional sports. Megastar Chiranjeevi takes it literally and gets into character from the very first frame, retaining the energy until the climax. He has dreamt of making a ‘costume film’ for over 25 years and regretted his exit from cinema without getting to play king. This film sees his dream come true. Directed by Surrender Reddy, and starring Nayanthara, Tamannah, Vijay Sethupathi, Sudeep and Amitabh Bachchan, does Sye Raa ride the epic genre bandwagon to victory? You’ve got three minutes to decide!

Still A Chiru Telugu Movie

There are some staple ingredients in a Chiru movie that are failsafes and also pretty enjoyable if you’re into the Telugu flick ethos. Suspend disbelief for now and enjoy the ride.
First, Chiranjeevi can do anything, but he can do no wrong. He can hold his breath underwater indefinitely. He’s a master of the four vedas, a lover extraordinaire and a terrific fighter.

Secondly, two heroines. The Telugus harbour an ongoing fetish for two wives. This is actually a whole genre of Telugu cinema that’s worth exploring separately. For now, take my word for it; Telugu mass hero equals two heroines. In the late 80s and 90s it was two wives, specifically. Chiru is a 90s celluloid God, so it’s two wives in this film, played by  Nayanthara and Tamannaah Bhatia. They both look regal, and Nayanthara displays a screen presence that even subverts the megastar’s charisma when they share screen space!

Three, emotion driven fights. This is good versus evil in its purest form.
If the movie were set in the 90s or now, the villain’s villainy would have to be established. But because it’s the British, the bad makeup and powder wig and an appropriate background score are enough to make your blood boil with patriotic fervour!
I tell you, there’s nothing more fun than to be sucked into the world of a Telugu megastar film. And this one’s the largest and most expensive film that Chiranjeevi’s acted in, EVER. And the gamble has paid off.

HISTORY

First off, this movie is based on historical events. It’s not a documentary. The Riyot rebellion of Narasimha Reddy wasn’t the first. This happened in 1847.
But Before Narasimha Reddy, there was Veerapandya Kattabomman who fought and died for the same reasons in 1799. Interestingly, they belong to the same community of Paaleyakkaarar or Palegaadu; the feudal title for a class of territorial administrative and military governors during the 16th–18th centuries.
It was a 5,000-people-led strong rebellion which ended in a public hanging witnessed silently by over 2,000 people. Narasimha Reddy’s head was on display on the fort wall for thirty years, till 1877, when the wall collapsed.
This film was made with heart and not the head, so don’t go looking for historic accuracy or logic. It’s larger than real life. Much, much larger!

Sye Raa had four stunt choreographers; Greg Powell, Lee Whittaker and Ram-Laxman. There’s Heavy borrowing from LOTR, Wonder Woman, 300, Avengers: Age of Ultronand a host of other films, but it’s done beautifully. And the final battle is a visceral treat!

TECHNICAL BRILLIANCE

A number of Telugu movies have been dubbed into Hindi and are a staple TV diet of Hindi channels since around 2006. It used to be the over-the-top dialogues and song and dance. But movies like Sarrainodu, Fidaa, Magadheera and a number of other recent films have superior cinematography, stylisation and most of all, fight choreography. Sye Raa had four stunt choreographers; Greg Powell, Lee Whittaker and Ram-Laxman. Heavy borrowing from LOTR, Wonder Woman, 300, Avengers Age of Ultron and a host of other films, but it’s done beautifully. And the final battle is a visceral treat!

The Telugus have mastered the art of the emotional build up that pulls the audience into the fight hook line and sinker. Sye Raa does it with aplomb. We’re fighting the British, aur kitna loge bhai!

Amit Trivedi’s title track and background keep up the goosebumps, although the jukebox isn’t really stunning. It’s about creating a larger than life legend. Trivedi does it with longhorns and Japanese drums.

THE END...BEGINNING

I know it sounds cheesy, but Sye Raa, after 2017’s Khaidi No 150, is an even bigger comeback film for the megastar. He’s well on his way to round 2, like Rajinikanth did with Petta.

Patriotic fervour, all four states coming together, trechery, rousing speeches, brilliant cameos by Jagapathi babu, Sudeep and a lazy yet charming vijay Sethupathi and supreme sacrifices, Sye Raa is is a tightly woven epic that’s visually stunning and holds for two hours fifty minutes.