Oye Ninne

Story: ‘Oye Ninne’ charts the story of Vishnu (Bharat), a young man who aspires to be a farmer while his parents want him to aim for something big. He grows up with his cousin Veda (Srushti Dange), whom he shares a love-hate relationship. For Vishnu, she’s that “annoying cousin” everyone has in a family; whom your parents love more than you. Vishnu’s father believes he’s good-for-nothing, but will that change?

Review: Vishnu is a young man craving for love from his parents who seem to love his cousin Veda, aka Ammu, more. He believes, ever since she entered his life, it has become one of negligence and servitude. The only place he can find solace is with Ammu’s parents, who feel as neglected by their daughter as Vishnu.

Vishnu’s father, Sekhar, is a school principal respected by many for what he has done for the village. He brings up Ammu as his own because he feels she’s the reincarnation of his mother. While Ammu grows up as a perfect child under his mentor-ship, Vishnu's childhood is that of a rebel. Even when his actions almost break the friendship between his father and the character of Tanikella Bharani, he feels no remorse; that’s how adamant he is.

The movie is set in the beautiful locales of Konaseema, and the plot takes its own sweet time to set the pace and explore the relationship between Vishnu and Ammu. Taking up an hour for the same would seem draggy at parts, if not for comic relief provided by Satya Akkala, who plays Vishnu’s best friend. In fact, Satya almost seems to be overshadowing the protagonist duo in the first half, until the story takes a melodramatic turn in the second.

The use of a character of a child-abuser to disconcertingly provide comic relief and its consequential solution that seemed straight out of cinema’s black-and-white days (the victim marrying the abuser), the movie does have its irrational moments. However, what was even more absurd was an educated Ammu agreeing to it with the illiterate villagers.

But other than that, the second half has nothing much to write home about. The customary kidnap scene that leads to an obligatory fight and the sudden transition of Vishnu announcing his love for Ammu seem to lack flow. Ammu on the other hand doesn’t express her love to protect her beloved uncle’s ‘respect and honour’, but yet feels justified in asking Vishnu to elope with her.

Tagubothu Ramesh acts as a catalyst in the film’s key moments and Dhanraj has a forgettable cameo. The lead actors are okay in their roles, with debutant Bharat doing a decent job. Watch the movie if you’re in for a feel-good film that explores relationships on a relatable level and has beautifully rustic visuals. Give this one a miss if you’re looking for logic.