At the end of RadheshyamWhat stayed with me, however, was its picture perfect frames that were painstakingly made to look like a painting. Cinematographer Manoj Paramhans, Production Designer Ravindra Reddy and Costume Designers Thota Vijayabhaskar and Eka Lakhani create the mood for an epic story. But how long can one soak in the atmosphere, admiring the pillars of light emanating from the tall windows and long corridors of hospitals and homes in Italy? Certainly, the film stars Prabhas and Pooja Hegde, who have a good on-screen presence. But the film’s soul, the story, is layered. What is meant to be a painful romance of two men running against destiny, becomes dull and nostalgic.
In this period drama set in the 1970s, the protagonist Vikramaditya (Prabhas) is positioned as the ‘Einstein of Palmistry’. His guru Paramhansa (Krishnam Raju in the Telugu version; Sathyaraj in other versions) is mentored by a team of Indian space scientists before a mission. Guru understands a scientist’s doubts about palmistry, astrology and related practices. He cited the example of the stars Arundhati and Vashishtha being known long before they were discovered by modern science; There are, he says, things beyond human comprehension, thus setting the tone for later events to unfold.
Radheshyam
Cast: Prabhas, Pooja Hegde
Direction: Radha Krishna Kumar
Music: Justin Prabhakaran, SS Thamani
Vikramaditya carries on the Guru’s legacy and, at the beginning of the film, reads Indira Gandhi’s palm and predicts that she is going to declare an emergency! Later, there is a photographic reference to John Lennon taking Vikramaditya’s autograph. Radheshyam A star may have scrapped the stunt sequences found in the film, but through such sketch sequences one tries to build a Prabhas around the character of Prabhas.
Beneath this layer of heroism scratches and Vikramaditya emerges as a man who has surrendered to the instructions of fate. The way he indulges in casual relationships, which he calls ‘flirt’, is a clue that he is intimidated by commitment for good reasons. Eventually, of course, he falls in love when he meets the spirited but mysterious Dr. Prerna (Pooja Hegde), who is also a mile away from relationships.
beautifully mounted ‘E Rathale’ (Composed by Justin Prabhakaran) serves to show how two who do not meet or fall in love by fate keep crossing paths. In such parts, the film manages to spread some magic. Vikramaditya and Prerna’s courtship takes place between signs that make them just as they are. It is also punctuated by banana comic parts in a hospital ward.
The film ruins a bunch of talented actors, making them stand out by uttering only a line or two. At least Sachin Khedekar has to do something. Jayaram, Jagapathi Babu and Priyadarshi are useless. The one who gets wasted the most is Murli Sharma, that too soaked in a bad wig. Kunal Roy Kapur and Bhagyashree also don’t have much to do and were probably chosen to be familiar faces to the Hindi audience.
For the first hour, the aesthetic visuals, music (background score by SS Thaman) and the lead cast which is made to look picture-perfect, enhance the dreamy setting. Pooja Hegde looks like a princess in every way and in the later parts, there is a glimpse of her acting potential which is yet to be tapped. Prabhas is effective in his portrayal, but there is nothing in the story or characterization that challenges him as an actor.
When the conflict between destiny and love takes center stage, whatever little charm the film had in it begins to be lost. biggest issue with Radheshyam It’s that it never sucks you in. The shipwreck scene at the end of the film sinks an already shaky film, despite Prabhas being made to board a tall ship in a heroic way.
Similarities with Mani Ratnam Geetanjali It is difficult to move too. The journey of the two lovers against what destiny has in store for them can be seen as the tip of the hat for that iconic romance. Whereas Geetanjali Also rode on a premise that required suspension of disbelief, it was all heart and made us root for the hero. Radheshyam Could have benefitted with some of that spirit in his writing.