What Is the Story About?
Subhadra (Avika Gor) suffers from a rare disease since childhood. As the father can’t meet the expenses, he forces his son, Madhav, to work as a labourer from his younger days in Dubai. Years later, he returns home when Subhadra succumbs to the illness. Madhav, who has lost his entire youth to work and earn money for his sister’s medical expenses, holds a grudge against his father, Vasudev. The movie’s basic premise is how Subhadra re-enters as a ghost in Madhav’s life and brings joy back in his life.
Performances?
Naveen Chandra, as Madhav, plays the role subtly and with ease. There is no over-dramatization or complete underplay. It is perfect that way it is, and he has done it before as well. There are two variations to his role, and both are effectively portrayed.
Analysis
The story of Bro is about the coming of age of a character. It deals with overcoming the sadness and bringing happiness back in his life. Director Karthik Tupurani has a feel-good drama in his hand with scope for simple, relatable and beautiful emotions.
The setting of a small town with a hill station like vibe is perfect for a dreamy fairy tale drama. The opening sets the mood correctly with the right music and feel.
It all starts with a dramatic twist, which is an unexpected start. It only gets predictable from that moment, though. The establishment of the brother and sister scenes (during childhood) and later the emotional drama between the father and son are neatly handled.
The screenplay is very well written. The scenes within the house where Madhav discovers her sister’s life are a neat mixture of fun in an emotional mood. The darker and angrier emotions are slowly diffused step by step. The pen drive sequence is the best example here.
Soon with the reintroduction of the sister character, the fun is slowly but steadily increased in the narrative. During this phase, the bonding is gradually increased between the brother-sister over simpler joys. These are all clichéd tropes we have seen countless times within the feel-good drama space. The lack of freshness is the movie’s biggest drawback. The second is the predictability of the screenplay after the initially well-executed portions.
What still makes one stick to the narrative is the hope for a scene like the one at the dinner table over the drink. The father and son moments, despite the sheer routineness, works due to the two actors and execution.
Unfortunately, there are not enough moments like that. The whole flashback of Subhadra is designed for a tear-jerking end. But it doesn’t work out. The same holds true with the hero’s love story and its future, although there are a couple of chuckles in it. In short, the ending misses the required emotional high.
Overall, Bro is has a good scope for feel-good drama that is devoid of the usual clichés. But, we get precisely the routine from it. Still, a few moments work now and then, making Bro a passable watch.
Other Artists?
Avika Gor once again plays a role with substance in Telugu cinema. It is an assured thing if she does a movie. But, the character offers nothing new from her, unlike her last outing ‘Net’. It is a typical bubbly and charming part, but with a ‘brother’ twist. She is fine, as always, but we have seen her do better before on the same turn. The rest of the cast is limited but reasonable. Pramodini and Devi Prasad as parents are appropriate casting. They deliver the lighter as well as emotional scenes well. Sanjana Sarathy and Sai Ronak have limited space, but they are adequate. The rest playing bits and pieces roles don’t register much.
Music and Other Departments?
Sekhar Chandra provides music to the film. The songs bear his trademark sound all through, and a couple of them do feel passable. But, none go to the next level that is necessary for the film. Azeem Mohammad’s cinematography is a mixed bag. Some parts lend well to the fairy-tale feel, but others are poor. The editing by Viplav is alright. The writing is below par for a film that heavily depends on it.
Highlights?
Some Emotional Scenes BGM, At Places Location
Drawbacks?
Predictability Weak Writing Climax
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, In Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Huge Reservations
Bro Review by Binged Bureau