Nota movie review: Vijay Devarakonda is a major asset to otherwise average film
Director: Anand Shankar
Cast: Vijay Devarakonda, Nasser, Sathyaraj, Mehreen, Sanjana, MS Bhaskar.
Film Nota, a political thriller written and directed by Anand Shankar marks the entry of Tollywood sensation Vijay Devarakonda in Tamil. With his amazing screen presence, charisma and perfect Tamil diction, Vijay Devarakonda nails his debut in K’town.
Varun (Vijay Devarakonda) who lives in London is a happy-go-lucky person and son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vinodhan (Nasser). An ardent gamer, he is more into his video game developing than interested in his dad’s political life. He visits India on his birthday to spend good time with his friends and to meet his little stepsister. While partying hard, cops and officers inform him that his dad has chosen him as the interim CM, as Vinodhan was slapped with corruption charges.
Despite being sworn in as CM, Varun continues to hang around with his friends and wants to enjoy his life. Meanwhile, Vinodhan gets convicted and jailed for five years. A seasoned (read scheming) politician, Vinodhan instructs his trusted party men headed by Thastagir (MS Bhaskar) to trigger off riots in the state. Varun gets distressed when his party cadres set a bus on fire, which kills a small child. And the incident changes his mind and he becomes committed to his job.
Varun is supported by his journalist mentor Mahendhran (Sathyaraj) who becomes his political adviser. Delving deeply into politics, Varun realizes the inconsistencies in the system and he sets things right in his own inimitable style earning a name of ‘Rowdy CM’. When his dad comes out on bail, there arises a situation when both father and son become rivals. The power game between them begins and how Varun finally continues as the CM of the state forms the rest.
A vibrant looking Vijay Devarakonda is a major asset to the film and he pulls of his act effortlessly. Nasser once again proves his versatility in a power packed role. Sathyaraj is equally effective in a well-written character, which reminds us of veteran journalist and political adviser Cho Ramasamy. Mehreen hardly has anything to do in this film. Debutant Sanjana Natrajan as Vijay’s political opponent is impressive and promising.
Taking references from the muddled political happenings Tamil Nadu is witnessing for the past four years including the Chennai floods, Amma’s hospitalization, family conspiracies, TV channels high drama to increase TRPs, Koovathur resort drama, a Godman attempting to remote control the government etc, Anand Shankar has weaved an engaging and a taut political thriller. There’s never a dull moment. But the problem with Nota is that it lacks a solid story and some fresh punch dialogues that are associated with a genre like this. And Vijay Devarakonda as such does not have a powerful antagonist.
Anand’s attempt of not resorting to commercial compromises like comedy, romantic songs in foreign locales, high-octane action scenes are commendable. Technically, Sam CS background score and Santhana Krishnan’s cinematography aid Anand’s narration superbly.
