Every once in a while, filmmakers decide to explore 'social issues' -- and end up following the same hackneyed route of limp storylines, forced sentimentality, a larger than life approach to the problem that, more often than not, is itself far-fetched. Net result: good intentions ruined by ham-handed execution and overt sermonising.

Rakhee fits the pattern. The hero Ramakrishna (NTR Jr), known as Rakhee (seems the short form is a metaphor for rakhi as well) is a simple boy next door who dotes on his sister Gayatri. He wants to follow his father's (played by Chandramohan) footsteps, and become a station master.

He is in love with Tripura (Ileana), the girl next door and a TV journo concerned with atrocities against women. Her family finds a match for Gayatri; she is married off, for a dowry of Rs 10 lakh, to a boy who is all set to go to the US.

Gayatri lands up in the sort of hell she was focussing on as a journalist; harassed by greedy in-laws and, finally, burnt to death.

Rakhee now takes the law into his own hands, rescuing many 'sisters' from similar fates -- and, in the process, burning to death the men who would make their lives hell.

The film by now degenerates into the routine commercial lines, packed with songs and action without anything new to recommend it. At some points, the social message seems forced, as though the director had to drive the point in compulsorily.

The problem is essentially with a rather preachy script, that seeks to mix message with entertainment but fails to strike the right balance between the two. The song and dance sequences actually come as relief from the heavy overdose of words, but at the same time seem like unneeded distractions.

The mainstay of the film is the intense performance by NTR, who comes across as a seasoned artiste. His histrionics and at times slightly over-the-top performance reminds us of his late grandfather, the legendary NTR Rama Rao. For a modern hero, NTR Jr is a touch on the plump side, but has the sort of nimble feet that come alive in dance sequences. His acting in the scenes in the second half of the film, that revolve around prison and a court room, are worth watching.

Ileana has a role of some substance. Though this lissome girl oozes glamour, she does make a mark in some scenes. Charmme (the other heroine) does not have much to do except act like a na�ve village belle (wonder why she accepted this role). Chandramohan and Kota do justice to their roles. It is intriguing to see Prakash Raj [Images] in a cameo towards the end; one feels he is wasted. Suhasini, who plays a cop, does an ok job.

The music by Devisriprasad packs a lot of punch. Director Krishnavamsi has good intentions, but cannot avoid the trap of commercial elements. Also, there is an attempt to be 'revolutionary', which does not come through.

Both Krishnavamsi and NTR Jr need to break the dry spell; whether they can do so with Rakhee remains to be seen.

Rediff Rating: