In the Telugu film Neninthe, director Puri Jagannadh gives us a peek into the movie world.
Ravi (Ravi Teja) is an assistant director with director Brahmanandam. Although he has a masters in business administration, Ravi aspires to become a director. His mother (Ramaprabha) encourages him. Ravi barely manages to eke out a living but mother and son are passionate about movies. Ravi's father was a distributor who lost his money.
Ravi meets Sandhya (debutante Siya), a dancer, and friendship blossoms between the two. Sandhya's brother-in-law, a wicked and scheming man, is always looking for ways to use Sandhya to make money. He befriends Yadu, a goon who wants Sandhya, but she spurns him. This triggers off a rivalry between Ravi and Yadu.
Ravi, meanwhile, recommends Sandhya to director V V Vinayak (who does a cameo), who is in search of a new face. Sandhya is selected and becomes a heroine. Ravi also gets an opportunity to direct hero Mallik (Subbaraju). But the film gets stalled. Yadu steps in as the producer and the rivalry between him and Ravi intensifies.
Will Ravi be able to complete the film? Watch the movie to find out.
The film portrays the struggle and ordeals Ravi -- and, to a certain extent, Sandhya also -- undergoes to realise his dreams. The film touches on various aspects of the world of cinema and is hard-hitting at times.
The director narrates a fairly good story, though it is within the formulaic pattern. There is enough action (thanks to the hero-villain rivalry), song and dance. The dialogues are punchy and funny.
Ravi Teja plays the role of the struggling assistant director well. He is able to display the varied emotions required and entertains when he has to. Subbaraju finally gets a long and positive role and does justice to it. Debutante Siya, somehow, is the weak link. She is not up to the mark in most of the scenes. Brahmanandam, M S Narayana, Krishna Bhagvan, Venu Madhav are their usual selves.
Rediff Rating: 
