Anaganaga Oka Raju Review: Naveen Polishetty Carries a Light-Hearted Festive Comedy
Naveen Polishetty makes his festive season debut with Anaganaga Oka Raju, a comedy-drama that banks heavily on his star power. The film arrives during the competitive Sankranthi period, standing alongside big releases from Prabhas, Chiranjeevi, and Ravi Teja. Yet, Polishetty manages to carve out his own space with a performance that is both confident and endearing.
A Simple Story with Familiar Beats
The plot follows Raju, played by Polishetty, a self-proclaimed zamindar who clings to his family's fading glory. Raju avoids hard work at every turn, preferring to be carried on shoulders rather than climb stairs. His ultimate goal is to marry into wealth, specifically targeting Charulatha, the daughter of a rich landlord named Bhupathiraju.
Rao Ramesh portrays Bhupathiraju, who seems eager to arrange the marriage. Meenakshi Chaudhry plays Charulatha, a young woman with expensive tastes. The setup feels familiar, but Polishetty injects life into the narrative with his impeccable comic timing and warm presence.
Polishetty's Performance Steals the Show
Naveen Polishetty shoulders the film entirely on his own. He struts through scenes with a trademark smile, delivering one-liners at a rapid pace. His character, Raju, is a blend of arrogance and insecurity, which Polishetty portrays with ease. The first half moves briskly as Raju and his friends execute "Operation Charulatha" through a series of silly, harmless gags.
He saves dogs, fights rowdies, and uses punchlines like "My heart is like Rapido; only one person can hop on" to woo Charulatha. The interval block introduces a twist that adds some intrigue to the otherwise straightforward story.
Technical Aspects and Supporting Cast
Director Maari keeps the focus firmly on Polishetty, but the film's world feels generic. Stock characters populate the village of Peddapalem, and the production design lacks distinctiveness. Mickey J Meyer's music fails to leave a strong impression, with songs that sound too similar to each other.
The second half sees Raju navigating marital life and unexpectedly entering politics. The village faces issues like garbage-filled streets and farmer scams, forcing the selfish Raju to engage. This shift reminds viewers of films like Pilla Zamindar, but Anaganaga Oka Raju does not delve deeply into emotional journeys.
Missed Opportunities and Predictable Elements
The film glosses over the dynamic between Raju and Charulatha, missing a chance to explore their relationship as misfits. Tarak Ponnappa's villain feels thinly sketched, and other characters serve merely as placeholders. The stakes never feel significant, and the payoff lacks emotional highs.
Despite these shortcomings, the film remains enjoyable due to its simplicity. Polishetty's performance keeps it afloat, even when the writing takes shortcuts. He may not be pushing his limits here, but he delivers exactly what the role demands.
Verdict: A Fun, If Cliched, Ride
Anaganaga Oka Raju is a low-stakes comedy-drama that works because of Naveen Polishetty. The plot is predictable, and the technical aspects could be sharper. However, Polishetty's charm and comic timing make it a pleasant watch. It is a safe choice for fans of light-hearted Telugu comedies, especially during the festive season.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
