Paisa Vasool Review: Ticket money goes down the drain

We all have been forewarned in the trailer of the film ‘Paisa Vasool’. When Balakrishna says, “Mera naam Theda…Theda Singh. Dimaag thoda. Chaala theda,” he was warning us all that the film was written and directed with ‘ded dimaag’. But, it is not at all theda (different), the story is a usual fare and thousand and one films came with the same story line.

Actually, 15 minutes into the film the entire plot is laid bare and one need not have to be cinephile to guess what happens next and what the climax will be like. The movie lacks twists and turns, which makes it even more tedious to watch Director Puri Jagannadh, whose charisma and magic at box-office is on the wane, comes up with tried and tested plot, which doesn’t serve him good.

He resorted to the much acclaimed ‘Pokiri’ style characterisation for Balakrishna’s Theda Singh character, it might well please diehard fans of the actor, but it looks contrived. It seems like the actor was not comfortable with the quirks mannerisms associated with the character and it is palpable on the screen. While these quirks and the dialogues were meant to make the character look cool, they end up making Balakrishna mocking himself.

There are fans for Puri Jagannadh’s trademark dialogues and Balakrishna is known for his one liners. But their combination failed to work and the dialogues looked like they were hammed up. Coming to the story (there isn’t much though), Theda Singh is gangster, who is roped by the police to take down dreaded don Bob Marley (I feel sorry for legendary reggae singer, his name was tarnished). Singh unbeknownst to the police has a run-in with the don is looking for revenge.

In the meanwhile, a woman and her mother are looking for her sister, who has gone missing and suspicions land on Theda Singh. What happens next forms 142 minutes of boring and ridiculous watch. Actor Kabir Bedi, who was seen in Balakrishna’s previous outing ‘Gautamiputra Satakarni’, was wasted in a bit part role, so are the other actors. Comedians Prithivi Raj and Ali fail to evoke any laughs. Three actresses Shriya, Muskaan Sethi and Kyra Dutt are paired opposite Balakrishna but they have nothing to do but to sizzle in songs.

Watching a film first day first show amidst fans is always besotted with moments like whistles, slogans and claps. Sadly, there are not many moments for fans to rejoice. The movie is only for diehard fans of the actor and the rest can stay back. Having said that, “Arre howle, mera ticket ka paisa wapas kar re”!

Film Name : Paisa Vasool

Cast : Balakrishna, Shriya Saran, Muskaan, Kyra Dutt, Kabir Bedi and others
Direction : Puri Jagannadh
Genre : Crime-Drama
Likes : Nothing to boast of
Dislikes : Odd actor-director combo

By Aditya Parankusam