Jai Lava Kusa Review: Jai Ravana Jai (Rating: ***)

Film: Jai Lava Kusa

Language: Telugu

Cast: N. T. Rama Rao Jr. as Jai, Lava Kumar, and Kusha, Nivetha Thomas, Raashi Khanna, Ronit Roy, Nanditha Raj, Hamsa Nandini, Priyadarshi Pullikonda, Abhimanyu Singh, Harish Uthaman, Tamannaah (Special appearance in a song)

Director: K. S. Ravindra

Rating: ***

Reviewed By: SOCIALNEWS.XYZ

Story: Jai (NTR) is the elder brother of Lava (NTR) and Kusa (NTR). Jai is treated as a servant since he has a stammer and can't act in dramas. This hurts his ego at very young age and turns him into Ravana. So he tries to get rid of them and in the process, they get separated. Jai grows up as Cruel Ravana while Lava becomes a soft Bank Manager and Kusa, a cunning thief.  Time passes and as fate would have it  Ravana needs the help of Lava and Kusa. What does Ravana need from them and how did Lava and Kusa try to reform Ravana into Jai from the rest of the story.

Acting: NTR excelled in all three roles. His transformation into 3 roles was smooth. The voice change over for 3 roles is good to watch. Raashi Khanna was good in the limited role as Lava's Love interest, Nivetha Thomas's character starts with high promise, but cut short as director tried to wrap the movie. Tamannaah's special song is completely unnecessary and feels like it was shot to in a hurry to meet a deadline. Priyadarshi Pullikonda is a relief to the routine comedy scenes. His comedy timing is excellent. Saikumar and Posani Murali Krishna are adequate.

Techincal: Director K. S. Ravindra story sounds very interesting, but he was let down big time by his writing team. Too many routine scenes and moving everyone into the same house in the second half makes you feel like Deja Vu.  The writing by K S. Ravindra, Kona Venkat, K. Chakravarthy has nothing to talk about most of the scenes are hashed out from the previous movies. Music by Devi Sri Prasad for the songs felt repetitive. The background score could have been better. Cinematography by Chota K. Naidu is excellent. He did an excellent job in presenting all three roles. The production by Nandamuri Kalyan Ram is top notch. The movie has rich visuals.

Analysis: The movie starts off on a good note but the lack imagination in designing the scenes, makes audience disconnect from the movie. The scenes to transform  Jai to Ravana are excellent but the reverse transformation from  Ravana to Jai is not convening and feels rushed. Some scenes look like there are just there to show the acting powers of NTR. This makes you seen NTR and not the roles.

Highlights:

NTR Acting in 3 roles
Comedy in Parts

Drawbacks:

Routine Screenplay

Box office: The movie should do a good business in India. The overseas result may depend on the future movies.

Verdict: Watch it, if you like NTR acting skills.

Bottom Line: The movie looks like a Jr.NTR's audition tape for SS Rajmouli's Mahabartham.