After the disastrous Okka Magadu, Y.V.S. Chowdhary is back with the much awaited Saleem. Coming from a front-line director, a successful production house and the combination of Vishnu-Ileana, with music by Bollywood fame Sandeep Chowtha, Saleem has been whetting expectations of audiences since months.
Added to it, the news of of its high cost, which the producer pegged at Rs. 23 crores, certainly made the audience expect fascinating technical entertainment. But Saleem is a complete damp squib.
THE CHARACTERS
Satyavathi (Ileana) returns to India from Europe to live with her parents. Munna (Vishnu), an international gangster in disguise rescues her when her father's rivals attempt to kidnap her. Munna thus wins the love of Satya and her family. While everything seems going smoothly, Satya elopes with her boyfriend Krish (Venkat), brother of a Mafia don Ojo (Mohan Babu) to Europe.
She informs her family that she hates being with crowded family members and always wanted to settle in life with Krish and used Munna as an excuse to run away from them. Now Munna (predictably) heads to Europe to teach her a lesson, win her heart and win her back.
THE PLOT
The story is long winded and confusing. Saleem (Vishnu) is an international gangster. He bumps into Sathya (Ileana) in Bangkok, Dubai and Europe. He follows her all the way to India in disguise as Munna. Munna enters into Sathyavathi's household to win her heart. He tricks the family into believing he is a perfect man and settles down as the important member and wins over the hearts of Sathya and her family members.
Sathya has been brought up in Europe (to protect her life) as her father has a rival in Mukesh Rushi. Saleem foils all plans to harm Sathya and her family. But suddenly, Sathya elopes with Krish, her Bangkok-based lover. Sathya wants to marry Krish and live in Europe. Krish is the younger brother of Ogirala Jogaiah (Mohan Babu) a dreaded gangster.
Saleem arrives in Europe to take Sathya back and unite her with her family. Saleem is confronted by OJ and a defiant Sathya, who is about to marry Venkat. The rest of the story is how Saleem manages to achieve his objective.
THE TECHNIQUE
Performances
Vishnu has shed weight and looks great in trendy costumes, but is still not up to the mark. Ileana steals the show as entire film focuses on her glam exhibition. Ileana is used only to show off her hour-glass figure and she does not disappoint.
In the role of uneducated don OJ (Ogirala Jogaiah), Mohan Babu has put in his experience and has come up with a neat performance. Kaveri Jha as a sexy teacher is okay. Mukesh Rishi, Venkat, Nepoleon and others are perfect for their roles.
Check out Saleem Wallpapers Music
Music by Sandeep Chowtha is big letdown. Except 'Mama Mia', none of the songs are either foot tapping or melodious.
Listen to Saleem Music here Others
Cinematography by Ram Prasad is a major asset; rich production values bring a bright look to the movie. Screenplay and direction is pretty ordinary. An able director like Y.V.S. Chowdhary, who bounced back with the youthful Devadasu, has no sense of direction here. The script does not know what it is up to. Scenes are botched up rather sadly. The director fails to build up the right tempo and make the film interesting.
Click here for latest Trailers The Verdict
Despite spending lavishly on costumes, locations and settings, Saleem ends up as a long winding dull and drab fare a pucca formulaic film told in hackneyed manner. Except glamour show by Ileana and rich production values, not an iota of the film is new.
Looks like another disaster from YVS.
