Banner: Mythri Movie Makers

Music: Devi Sri Prasad

Cinematography: Thiru

Editing: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao

Producers: Naveen Yerneni, Mohan (CVM), Y.Ravi Shankar

Director: Koratala Siva

Cast: NTR, Mohanlal, Samantha, Nithya Menen, Unni Mukund, Sai Kumar, Brahmaji, Benarjee, Ajay, Sitara, Devayani, Gunaji and others.

Love stories sell. How about a tale eulogizing an obsessive lover of nature? There cannot be ‘mechanical’ solutions to this problem. Still, in what is seen as the most-awaited ‘Film of the Year’, Koratala Siva directional Janatha Garage, starring Jr NTR- Mohanlal, has specified the nuts and bolts of protecting environment, along with human failings, in a somewhat engaging manner. As Koratala Siva delivered two back-to back blockbusters in the recent past, the expectations of audience on this combination are high. Does it live up to expectations? All told, it does.

Anand (Jr NTR) is an environmental activist who will go to any extent to protect nature. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal plays Satyam, the owner of Janatha Garage who is a do-gooder and someone who is always ready to help the needy. As the title suggests, the garage not only repairs vehicles, but also mends problems of the needy. A study exchange program takes Anand to Hyderabad and he ends up in Janatha Garage. He gets surprising offer from Satyam. Will Anand join his garage? Why did Satyam choose Anand? What will both do after joining hands? The film answers these questions.

Jr NTR comes up with an understated, mature performance in Janatha Garage. One is left wondering at the range of his emotions and controlled histrionics. He doles out a decent and delectable performance. He stuck to minimalism and delivers effortlessly. Mohanlal is his usual best and is as good as ever. The scenes between him and NTR attract viewers. Samantha and Nithya add colour, but one wonders why they accepted roles that do not have any importance.

Others like Sai Kumar, Unni Krishnan Mukundan, Sachin Khedkar, Brahmaji, Benerji and Rajeev Kanakala put in decent performances.

Koratala as a successful writer sent a strong message of preserving environment through the film, but as a director he failed by leaving out many repairs in Janatha Garage. Though the story is on predictable lines and the second half has its jarring moments, on the whole, the film is decent. The music is extraordinary, the editor could have tightened the film a bit and the cinematography and technical finesse are assets. Kajal Aggarwal sizzles in the item song and it is one of the highlights of the film.

His screenplay is not convincing and the climax is outdated. The first half of the film is not that exciting with dull scenes and the story gains momentum before the interval. However, the second half is a bit of a drag and apparently, the director appears to have lost control over the plot. A wonderful episode involving Rajiv Kanakala as a Government employee sets the mood of the viewer. But Koratala failed to maintain the same till the end.

Overall, Janatha Garage may not appeal to all sections of audience, but one can give it a shot.

- Siva Prasad