Review: Bubblegum - A Blend of Love and Heartache in a Cinematic Drama

Bubblegum - A Blend of Love and Heartache in a Cinematic Drama
Specifications:

Director: Ravikanth Perepu

Producer: P Vimala

Music Director: Sricharan Pakala

Cinematographer: Suresh Ragutu

Editors: Ravikanth Perupu, K Balakrishna Reddy, Balu Manoj D, Seri-Ganni

Story:

Adhi, also known as Sai Aditya (played by Roshan Kanakala), is an aspiring DJ from a middle-class background whose path crosses with Jahnavi (portrayed by Manasa Chaudhary), a girl from a wealthy family. Love blossoms between them, but their romantic journey takes an unexpected turn when an incident unfolds, leading to public embarrassment for Adhi by Jahnavi. The movie unfolds the aftermath of this incident, leaving the audience questioning whether they will part ways or find a way to reconcile.

Highlights:

Roshan Kanakala, in his debut, surprises with his expressive emotions and smooth dance moves, showcasing promise for a budding career in acting. Hailing from an acting family, he only needs to choose scripts wisely to further enhance his skills.

Manasa Chaudhary fits the role of the rich girl perfectly, bringing both glamour and a commendable performance, particularly in the second half.

A pleasant surprise comes from Chaitu Jonnalagadda, portraying Adhi's father, whose dialogues and actions bring laughter. Bindu Chandramouli, playing his wife, also delivers a commendable performance.

Drawbacks:

The storyline lacks originality, offering a narrative that feels overly familiar. Despite being directed and written by Ravikanth Perupu, known for his previous film "Krishna & His Leela," the film falls short of delivering the expected catchy phrases and unique elements.

While the overall story is acceptable, Ravikanth could have presented it more straightforwardly, addressing repetitive scenes in the first half and overly dramatic moments in the latter half.

Characters portrayed by Harsha Chemudu, Harshavardhan, and Anu Haasan could have been better developed to do justice to the potential of the actors.

Technical Aspects:

Ravikanth Perupu's storytelling doesn't quite reach its potential. The music by Sricharan Pakala complements the film well, and Suresh Ragutu's cinematography is decent. However, the editing, handled by a team of technicians, including Ravikanth Perupu, could have been cleaner. Trimming unnecessary scenes for a shorter runtime might have enhanced the overall storytelling.

Verdict:

"Bubblegum" is a typical romantic drama that falls slightly short of being a complete entertainer. Despite commendable performances from debutants Roshan Kanakala and Manasa Chaudhary, the film grapples with a lacklustre screenplay, repetitive elements, and unnecessary drama that creates a disconnection from the main plot. While it may resonate with a portion of the youth, the romantic scenes might not appeal as strongly to family audiences.