Prem Kumar Movie review: A genuine rom-com

Santosh Soban is known for his feel-good youthful romantic entertainers. His upcoming film “Premkumar” directed by Abhishek Maharshi hits theatres. Let us find out how “Premkumar” fares at the box office.

Story

Right as PK, aka Prem Kumar (Santosh Soban), is about to exchange vows with the woman his marriage arranged, the wedding is called off and the bride leaves with someone else. PK gets frustrated as he’s publicly shamed four times in similar way. One day, he and his drunken pal do a funny act, which prompts them to launch a private investigation firm dedicated to destroying relationships. They try to cancel a wedding at the request of a client, but the wedding planner spoils their plan. It’s revealed that Netra (Rashi Singh), the woman he was supposed to wed long back, is actually the wedding planner. They reach an agreement. Will their plan succeed?

Analysis

Santosh Soban, who has a natural flair for comedy attempts yet another rom-com “Prem Kumar,” which gives him ample scope to perform. The manner in which his character is established as a man who is unlucky in marriage looks good at the beginning of the film. The way his story is leaked online and how Prem Kumar becomes a laughing stock online is set up well in the beginning.

Abhishek Maharshi directs this film and his story is decent on paper. The hero's fiance eloping, on the wedding day, comes back to the hero asking for help to spoil her lover's wedding so he can marry her, all this is interlinked and is started on a decent note.

But the main character of Roshan is a bit weak in the film. The actor who plays the role of Rising Star Roshan, hams for no reason. A popular face would have made a world of good for the film. After a decent start, the grip on the proceedings wanders and new subplots of Angana come into the frame. This part is not handled well by the director and creates a boring factor for the audience.

Only when the heroine comes back to the hero for help, the film starts making some in the interval block. In a way, the first half of the film is boring and is filled with dragged scenes and over-the-top comedy featuring Ashok Kumar and Krishna Teja. Whenever the character of Roshan comes on screen, the proceeding looks silly.

On the whole, Prem Kumar has an interesting premise and Santosh Soban's performance holds the fort. But it is the weak first half the audience needs to sit through to enjoy the film. The broken pieces are joined well in the latter part and the last twenty minutes of the film are enjoyable.

Performances

Santosh Soban did full justice to his role as a frustrated youngster who couldn't find a suitable bride and get married. He showed good expressions and emotions and impressed with his screen presence. He looks like the typical boy next door and this kind of role suits him perfectly. However, people who have watched his previous films feel that he is getting typecast doing similar roles again and again.

Rashi Singh is good as a female lead. She showed confusion when confronted to choose between two suitors whom she feels are good for her. Ruchitha Sadineni performed well in the role of a rich girl who has her way. She showed the right kind of attitude. Krishna Chaitanya is okay in his role. Sudarshan impressed with his performance evoking a few laughs. Krishna Teja as the hero's friend made his presence felt in the proceedings. Surabhi Prabhavathi as the hero's mother and Raj Madhiraju as the heroine's father are decent in their roles.

Technicalities

Abhishek Maharshi tried to show the feelings and frustrations of a youngster when he fails to get married and when his marriage gets cancelled at the last minute. He came up with a good idea and started the narration in an interesting manner. The way he entertained with the fun elements using wedding planning and detective setup appeals to all. Right from start to finish, he included entertaining scenes to impress all. Though he made a sincere effort, the slow pace and few repetitive scenes irritates in the middle. The first half ends in an entertaining manner and the second half continues in the same way with a few emotional scenes getting highlighted.

The songs tuned by Ananth Srikar can be better. His background music impresses. Rampi Nandigam turned the film colourful with his cinematography. Editing of BH Garry is ok. Production values for this medium budget film are adequate.

Advantages

Santosh Soban’s performance

Few hilarious Scenes

Main plot point

Drawbacks

Repetitive Scenes

Slow at times