Allu Arjun’s Naa Peru Surya Naa Illu India: What Works, What Doesn’t

Popular writer Vakkantham Vamsi makes his directorial debut with Naa Peru Surya Naa Illu India. Allu Arjun, Anu Emmanuel, Arjun, Sarath Kumar, Boman Irani, Nadhiya and many other regular Tollywood actors like Rao Ramesh, Posani Krishna Murali and Vennela Kishore are part of the cast. The film has music by composers Vishal – Shekhar, Rajeev Ravi has handled the camera, and Kotagiri Venkeswara Rao has edited the film.

Plot: Surya (Allu Arjun) is a young, patriotic army man who has severe anger management issues. He is expelled from the Army after he lets his aggression get the better of himself. Surya dreams of serving the country at the border, but for that to happen, he must prove that he can keep his anger under check. A recommendation from the nation's best psychologist Dr Ramakrishna Raju, who also happens to be his father, can bail him out. Whether Surya wins this battle with his self and re-joins the army forms the crux of the film.

What Works:

• Allu Arjun shoulders the film and takes it to the winning post. His character Surya is intriguing and with his impressive physique, stylish army cut hairstyle, trendy shades and well-fitted costumes, the actor registers a strong screen presence. His ardent fans will love his cigar smoking routine in the film as well as the high-speed shots. Be it the numerous stunt sequences, dance routines ('Lover Also Fighter Also'), or the emotion-heavy scenes, Allu Arjun shines in every frame.
• Vakkantham Vamsi makes an assured debut as a director. He caters to his hero, utilizes his plus points and also packs the film with gripping sequences which will connect well with all sections of the audience. The track with Sai Kumar and how it affects Surya, who is in the midst of managing his anger issues, is an example of Vamsi's prowess as an engaging story teller.
• The stunt sequences are the major highlight. Be it the police station fight, the interestingly edited pre-interval fight or the pre-climax fight through the fields, Allu Arjun, the cinematographer, and the action choreographers, have gone all out in making them memorable.
• We see a restrained and subtle Arjun Sarja in this film. The father-son dynamics play out really well. The 21-day test that Arjun presents to his son makes the plot interesting.
• Though she doesn't get much screen time, the ever-gorgeous Nadhiya, who plays Allu Arjun's mother in the film, leaves a mark in the scene where she expresses how much she has missed her son over the years.
• Composers Vishal – Shekhar deliver hit songs like 'Iraga Iraga' and 'Lover Also Fighter Also'. 'Sainika' works well with the visuals, as a tribute to the Army force. The blaring buzzer sounds in the background score that play whenever the hero loses his temper tell us that a heavy-duty action scene is about to follow.
• DoP Rajeev Ravi gives Naa Peru Surya a glossy look. He captures Allu Arjun in all his glory.

What Doesn't:

• The film gets over the top and preachy in its treatment and the patriotism angle starts to feel overdone.
• The song placement could've been better – Iraga Iraga and Lover Also Fighter Also deserved better timing.
• Sarath Kumar's character (he plays the antagonist) loses steam after a promising start. He eventually bows down to the hero without putting in much of a fight. Thakur Anoop Singh, who plays his son, and Harish Uthaman, are regular, loud villains who are eventually tamed by the hero.

• In a hero-driven mass film such as this, the heroine, as usual, appears only in the romantic scenes and songs. That said, Anu Emmanuel acquits herself well in this usual space and makes a good pair with Allu Arjun. She has what it takes to shine in the commercial space going forward too.