Director: Venky Kudumula
Cast: Nithiin, Rashmika Mandanna, Ananth Nag, Jisshu Sen Gupta, Sampath, Brahmaj and Vennela Kishore
Actor Nithiin took a year’s break after three of his films failed at the box office before returning with Bheeshma. Venky Kudumula seeks to continue the trend after his successful debut film, Chalo. Top music director Mani Sharma’s son Mahati Sagar provides the music for the film which has Rashmika Mandanna in the female lead.
Bheeshma (Nithiin) is a college dropout and meme creator. He falls for Chaitra (Rashmika Mandanna), who is working in Bheeshma Organics that is run by a person named Bheeshma (Ananth Nag). Trying to impress her, he lands in a situation where he becomes the CEO of Bheeshma Organics for 30 days. If he proves his worth, he will become the full-time CEO. That sets the stage for the story to unravel.
As seen in Chalo, Venky Kudumula’s strength is his writing. In Bheeshma, he packs into his hilarious and entertaining package, a social message on organic farming. In this, it appears that Kudumula is following the director Koratala Siva model.
Kudumula has said a few times earlier that he is a big fan of Trivikram Srinivas, and one can see some scenes and dialogues that are the trademark of his idol. The film starts normally, but picks up momentum when Rashmika enters. There are a few hilarious scenes between Nithiin and Sampath in the first half, and many more in the second half.
There are plenty of one-liners which show how good Kudumula is at writing. There are a few dull moments, but the director immediately follows up with a comedy scene. The film is marked by clean hilarious scenes, punch lines and a good romantic thread. These are enough to distract the viewer from the story or the logic.
Nithiin has done a fantastic job, especially in the comedy scenes. After three flops, it seems he has learnt what he missed and has got the right platform with Bheeshma. The chemistry between him and Rashmika works well.
This is another good role for Rashmika. She is lively and her romantic scenes with Nithiin have come out well. She also proves that she is a good dancer. Kannada veteran Ananth Nag is perfect as the senior Bheeshma and his performance is very dignified. His presence lends weight to the film.
The big surprise is Sampath, who shows his comic side for the first time. Vennela Kishore provides a few laughs, Brahmaji, Raghu Babu and Naresh support well. Jisshu Sen Gupta of Ashwathama fame makes a mark as the baddie.
Mahathi Sagar’s music is good and two songs stand out. They are shot in a neat manner. Cinematography by Sai Sriram is excellent. The dialogues by Venky are entertaining. Bheeshma is a clean, fun, entertainment, timepass film. The storyline is very thin and predictable, but the comedy covers up for it. Bheeshma gives Nithiin the much-needed break, thanks to director Venky Kudumula who has undoubtedly scored his second straight success.
