Vedam strikes gold

Despite all its lacunae, Vedam has struck a goldmine at the box office, claim the movie-makers. It has a great cast. Lead actors Allu Arjun, Manchu Manoj, Manoj Bajpai Anushka and  Nagaiah among others have performed well. Its background score by M.M Keeravani is the film’s asset.

 The film emerged as the biggest opener this year by collecting $0.2 million in its first five days in America and Rs. 10.5 crore on 350 screens in India. Nizam grossed Rs 3.45 crore, Guntur 1.02 crore, Vizag Rs. 79.95 lakh and Karnataka Rs. 1.1 crore.

Where the film flounders is its drab narration. There is no soul-stirring element that could unite the story. Its lengthy second half has destroyed all the positive score the film gained in the first half.

You have five stories and five dramatis personae fighting their respective situations. All the five character-story elements land up in a government hospital in Hyderabad which is already a terrorist-target. Now, how did they save the hospital forms the climax of the movie.

 Jointly produced by Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni under the banner of Arka Media Works. Radhakrishna Jagarlamudi (Krish) of Gamyam fame directed the film. Arjun plays a de-glamorized character and Manchu Manoj the role of a rock star. Manoj Bajpai's typical role gives the twists and turns to the story. Anushka plays a prostitute in the film.