Naa Ishtam

Rancid romance

Telugu (U/A)
Cast: Rana Daggubati, Genelia D’Souza, Harsha Vardhan Rane, Brahmanandam, Subbaraju, Nassar, Ali
Director: Prakash Tholeti

This may be not to one’s liking. Such is the stale, oft-recycled trite triangular romantic tale that Tholeti seeks to toss at his audiences. 

Tholetti’s belief is that Daggubati playing footsie to his grand design, with Genelia adding glamour and gloss and others as puppets to prop and prolong the proceedings would work wonders. However, with old as hills, waferthin tale, Tholeti is barking up the wrong bark. 

For, a lacklustre script, a predictable, pedestrian plotline and woefully workmanlike direction besides the charade of acting, all go to make Naa Ishtam been-there-seen-that rigamorale. 

Offering nothing new or novel in its narrative, Naa Ishtam (My Liking) is one you will totally dislike despite being peppered with all spice and salt to make it a likeable luby duby, mushy moony romance. 

Naa Ishtam is all about an event manager Ganesh for whom, as goes the Abba song — Money, Money, Money... It’s always sunny no sentiments attached. So when he comes across a distressed runaway bride Krishnaveni seeking to elope with lover Krishna, who ditches her, he promptly whisks her back to her village as her wicked papa has promised an award for the return of his wayward daughter. 

However, when Mr Money learns that Ms Bride is being palmed for an old man, he takes heart and pronto! pulls her away from disaster. Even as Mr Money’s heart melts for the maiden, in returns untrustworthy Kishore. Who will get the honours to say I do Ms Bride is the rest of the loony saga. 

While Genelia is gorgeous and vivacious and sprightly, the rest do not measure upto the mark. Not even Malaysia as picturesque backdrop makes matter better. 

Tholeti’s Naa Ishtam, may be made to his liking, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. There are better avenues to spend the festive weekend.