‘Anaganaga Oka Raju’ movie review: Naveen Polishetty strikes again in an uneven yet fun ride

Naveen is in great form as he sails from one gag after another. Some of the nonsensical fun does not land, but he sets the stage for outlandish humour, such that when he unleashes the idea of ‘Peddapalem branch of Goa’s Baga beach’, it is easy to give in to the fun.

Mickey J Meyer’s music complements the fun, and the humorous mood makes it easier to overlook the limitations of the technical departments. 

Once the key twist is revealed, the film loses its momentum for a while. Thankfully, the narrative sidesteps the possibility of an envious antagonist taking a cliched route to settle scores. The humour and drama feel stretched in some segments, as though the makers ran out of ideas. A couple of songs too seem unwarranted.

The film is redeemed when it shifts gears from an outrageous comedy to a social satire that taps into reel addiction and apathy for ground-level issues. The story does not break new ground. We have seen similar episodes in other political dramas, but it still has enough depth to make the transformation of the protagonists convincing.

The film rests heavily on Naveen’s shoulders and he puts up a vibrant show, making both the humour and the final emotional moments work. Within the limited scope given to her character, Meenakshi makes an impression. Rao Ramesh and other actors are wasted in under-written parts.

Anaganaga Oka Raju could have benefitted with sharper, crisper writing. Despite the uneven narrative, Naveen’s comic timing and Meenakshi’s graceful screen presence make the film immensely watchable.