‘Johar’ Movie Review: Statue Politics, Dull Narration

Film: Johar
Rating: 2/5

Banner: Dharma Surya Pictures
Cast: Chaitanya Krishna, Naina Ganguly, Esther Anil, Ankith Koyya, Easwari Rao, Subhalekha Sudhakar, CVL and others
Cinematography: Jagadeesh Cheekati
Producer: Sandeep Marni
Written and directed by: Marni tile
Publication date: August 14, 2020
OTT platform: Ah

As the theaters remained closed during this pandemic, streaming companies are releasing small movies on their platforms. The newest is ‘Johar’.

Let’s analyze.

Story:

To continue the legacy of his father who ruled the state for years, a young prime minister of Andhra Pradesh (Chaitanya Krishna) decides to install the world’s tallest statue.

The cash-strapped state requires Rs 3000 crore to build the statue. To mobilize funds for his passion project, he is decreasing the allocation of funds to various welfare schemes.

How the CM’s decision affects the lives of poor people, such as a teenage runaway couple (Esther Anil and Ankith), an idealistic hostel owner (Subhalekha Sudhakar), a poor Uddanam woman (Eeswari Rao) whose daughter is diagnosed with kidney disease, and a poor athlete (Naina Ganguly)?

Performances by artists:

Senior actors Subhalekha Sudhakar and Eeswari Rao’s performances have added weight. Chaitanya Krishna seems suited for the role of CM.

Esther Anil and newcomer Ankith fail to impress. Naina Ganguly as a circus girl who wants to become an athlete is ok.

Technical excellence:

Jagadeesh Cheekati’s camera gives a visual appeal. Music is clear. Other technical departments have made considerable efforts.

Highlights:
Basic idea
Some emotional moments

Downside:
Predictable scenes
Naive understanding of politics
The thread of a teenage couple
Old Style Scenes

Analysis

Indian commercial cinema has witnessed two styles of political film storytelling, one popularized by Shankar and Murugadoss, and the other a hard-hitting realistic approach to great off-beat filmmakers.

“Johar”, a new political-themed Telugu film with a current point of statue politics from debutante director Teja Marni, does not walk either path.

The point in the discussion here is quite relevant, but the narration is where the movie falters.

Aside from that ideological zeal, the director seems to have a poor understanding of Indian politics and governance. It is not entirely convincing how the CM’s decision on image politics affects different parts of people, except that it serves to portray the plight of the marginalized people.

Why does the CM expect money from the ‘centre’ for a sculpture project? Does a CM share their political plans behind a particular project during a meeting to the entire group of officials? The conversations between CM and his advisor also sound completely out of reality.

In addition, the entire thread of teenage lovers (a chai-wala and the daughter of a prostitute) running from Varanasi to Rajamundry is proof of clichéd writing. A freedom fighter who met Subash Chandra Bose in the 1940s still runs the hostel for poor children. And what would his age be now?

The conversation scene between a CM and a journalist is another example of the director’s unrealistic approach.

Implementation and a better understanding of politics are just as important as good intentions. This is missing here. The narration with the hyperlink stories does not add much novelty.

While we can all agree that governments are increasingly indulging in projects that bring political gain and spending money on unproductive plans, this point needs a more mature narrative.

All in all, “Johar” is a preachy political satire with few trade-in points.

Bottom line: No health!

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