Pelli SandaD

Story : Is a young man's will power and a young woman's destiny enough for them to be together?


Review: Ever since the sequel of Srikanth's Pelli Sandadi was announced, fans of the actor and Raghavendra Rao looked forward to the flick. But to no one's surprise Pelli SandaD stays safe by following the same old template.

Vasista (Roshan Meka) is an ace basketball player who's a pro on the court. Sahastra (Sree Leela) is an outgoing girl who believes in destiny. After the usual introduction scenes, the film shifts base to a big fat Indian wedding. Nostalgia is kicked into full gear when too many characters are introduced with some of their dialogues landing. Many do not.

What's more, under Raghavendra Rao's able direction (who both starred in and supervised the film) flowers and fruits come into play. Director Gowri Ronanki also adds coconut water to the mix. While the film gets busy paying homage to Raghavendra Rao's trademark scenes, the story definitely takes a back seat. The old-school romance between the lead pair is so done and dusted, you don't feel much.

While a conflict throws a wrench in young love as the film progresses, the concept is nothing new. Logic goes for a toss, more so than usual, but then again that's expected. The melodramatic track between Vasista and Sahastra's father (Prakash Raj) might impress the family audience. Toxic men challenging each other over a woman and calling it love has been normalised through 90s and early 2000s films and yet in 2021 filmmakers do not wish to evolve beyond it.

What works in Pelli SandaD are the rich visuals in the songs. They look grand on-screen and other filmmakers could learn that opulence while making commercial films. Roshan pulls off the emotions required of him well, it's the perfect launch for him as a hero. Sree Leela looks adorable and deals well with the abundance of fruits and ice. Rest of the actors pull off their roles well.

Pelli SandaD remains a strictly watchable fare with the lead actors coming unto their own. But don't expect anything fresh or remotely logical.