Telugu Review:'Neeku Naaku Dash Dash' disappoints

Cast: Prince, Nanditha, Benarjee, Teertha, Venu, Thanikella Bharani, Parachuri Venkateswara Rao and others

Writer and Director: Teja

Rating: **

After a four-year career hiatus, director Teja returns to the big screen with 'Neeku Naaku Dash Dash' with an all new cast. However, unlike his previous films 'Jayam' and 'Nijam' that worked wonders at the box office, the new film fails to strike a chord with the audience.

It seems Teja became too confident of his own abilities and started churning out films with the same formula that was rightfully panned by critics and rejected by audience.

While the title 'Neeku Naaku Dash Dash' raises a little bit of curiosity, but the film doesn't have anything fresh to offer. The novelty element is missing and Teja has just rehashed some of his own films with this new project that introduces many new faces.

After watching the film for the first thirty minutes, it becomes crystal clear that Teja has not learned anything in his four-year hiatus. Emotions apart, the film has same type of comedy sequences and the story stays where it had started from.

Only towards the interval does the film moves forward in narration. The first forty five minutes of second half is quite interesting, but disappoints towards the climax.

Shiva is working for mafia dealing in illegal liquor business. The empire is owned by Bapineedu and his heartless accomplice Chitti. Debt trap compels Shiva to work for the cruel Bapineedu. However, despite working in poor conditions, Shiva shows his humane qualities. He falls in love with Gayathri.

Shiva becomes a victim of circumstances and decides to flee with Gayathri. Lovers are chased by Bapineedu and Chitti Talli's hooligans. How Shiva and Gayathri face the challenges forms the rest of plot.

Like his previous films, Teja has tried to add lot of rawness and a little bit of boldness in the film. Teja's claims that he has made a different movie with an original story written by him doesn't seem to hold weight as the film will remind you of Tamil movie 'Angadi Theru' directed by Vasantha Balan.

Despite being a newcomer, lead actress Nanditha stands out with a mature performance. Prince, who plays Shiva has also managed to give a neat performance.

Sumanth Shetty's comedy sequences are good. Theertha's performance as Chitti Thalli is quite menacing. Veteran actors Parachuri Venkateshwar Rao, Thanikella Bharani and Benarjee have also done justice to their roles. Rasool Ellore's cinematography is very good. The background score is also nice. 'Neeku Naaku Dash Dash' is an ordinary presentation with a weak story and haphazard narration.