Is It The End of Number 1 Race in Tollywood?

The Number 1 race in Tollywood has been an evasive development over the years. The likes of Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, and Venkatesh have aced the race over the last few decades. While the new bunch of stars like Mahesh Babu, Pawan Kalyan, Ram Charan, NTR, Prabhas, and Allu Arjun started to ace it in the last two decades.

However, going by the latest projections and box office trends, it appears to be that the number 1 race in Tollywood is a gone case. There is no one consolidated hero who is up for the number 1 title. It has all come down to the box office returns of each hero at an individual capacity.

For instance, Prabhas has a couple of 1000 crore grossers, and the likes of Allu Arjun, NTR and Ram Charan are after this record now. Mahesh Babu is anyway bound to attain this in the future with Rajamouli. Back in the day, the numbers race was confined to Tollywood and the hero with the biggest collections was projected to be the number 1 star. But now that the horizons have expanded, it is essential that every hero goes on a race of his own and wins it.

For instance, Prabhas has a couple of 1000 crore grossers, and the likes of Allu Arjun, NTR and Ram Charan are after this record now. Mahesh Babu is anyway bound to attain this in the future with Rajamouli.

Back in the day, the numbers race was confined to Tollywood and the hero with the biggest collections was projected to be the number 1 star. But now that the horizons have expanded, it is essential that every hero goes on a race of his own and wins it.

These days, films made on Rs 10 crore budget are doing Rs 100 crores at the box office while films made on 100 crores budgets are confining to 10 crores returns. At this point in time, there is no added values to a hero while the content reigns supreme.

The only advantage that star heroes are boasting of are the openings. Regardless of the talk, these stars are getting sizeable openings and that is about it. Everything depends on the content of the film from thereon.

The audience are lapping up the content and are ready to encourage such films regardless of the cast and crew. As things stand, content has become the number 1 leader of Tollywood and not the hero who is headlining the film. This is perhaps a positive trend that is needed to make good films consistently.

‘Mechanic Rocky’ Movie Review

The young and dynamic Vishwaksen, who has been consistently entertaining Telugu audiences, returns to the big screen with Mechanic Rocky. After impressing fans with his earlier releases this year, such as Gami and Gangs of Godavari, Vishwaksen now takes on a new role in this action-packed film directed by debutant Ravi Teja Mullapudi. Let’s explore what makes this film stand out and whether it lives up to the expectations set by his previous work.

Story:

The story follows Rakesh, better known as Rocky (Vishwaksen), who struggles with academics but runs a car garage passed down from his father and grandfather. Trouble arises when a ruthless goon, Rankireddy (Sunil), targets the garage’s location and attempts to forcefully take control. Despite Rocky’s relentless efforts to protect his family’s legacy, Rankireddy won’t back down. Amidst this conflict, Rocky’s father passes away, leaving him to honor his father’s last wishes by safeguarding the garage. Will Rocky’s fight against Rankireddy be victorious? The film takes viewers on a gripping journey to find out.

Analysis:

The first half of Mechanic Rocky follows a familiar, straightforward narrative with little to distinguish it from other films in the genre. Early on, a twist is introduced, suggesting that everything up until that point has been a lie. This formula—first popularized in films like Pokiri—has become a recurring theme in Telugu cinema. Vishwaksen himself explored a similar premise in his previous film Dhamki. While Dhamki managed to stand out due to its heightened stakes, Mechanic Rocky falls into the same routine, offering little novelty.

The film’s first half drags, with a story that feels too predictable. The hero’s entry, the college romance, and the struggle to take over the garage all unfold with little excitement. The villain’s introduction adds no real surprise either, with his attempts to claim the garage following a typical villain-hero conflict. The film proceeds without any significant highs, leaving the audience disconnected. Vishwaksen’s energy, however, tries to hold the film together, but even his performance can’t entirely lift the material.

Yet, when the story takes a turn in the second half, it begins to regain some interest. The twists in character dynamics aren’t groundbreaking, but they are enough to make things more engaging. The film takes on a more emotional tone, especially as the characters evolve from seemingly simple to much more complex figures. This shift helps the film regain momentum, particularly against the backdrop of a cybercrime subplot. However, despite the potential for a strong finish, the climax ultimately falls flat, leaving the earlier missteps unaddressed.

Mechanic Rocky isn’t a standout film. It’s an average experience that relies on its twists and Vishwaksen’s performance to keep the audience engaged, especially in the second half. The two heroines play important roles, impressing both in their beauty and performances, but they can’t fully rescue the film. While the film offers some twists worth watching, it’s hard to shake the feeling that it could’ve been much more. It’s best to keep expectations in check for those expecting something exceptional.

Performances:

Vishwaksen continues to captivate audiences with his high-energy performances, and Mechanic Rocky is no exception. Even in the first half, which feels rather conventional, Vishwaksen’s dynamic presence manages to keep the audience engaged. His performance stands out even more in the second half, where the story takes a stronger turn. He seamlessly transitions between innocence and a more calculating side, revealing the drama beneath his character. The shift in his role showcases his acting depth. The two heroines also play significant roles, with Meenakshi Chowdhury impressing once again after her role in Lucky Bhaskar.

She brings warmth and credibility to her character, especially in the film’s key moments, and her beauty in traditional attire adds to her charm. Shraddha Srinath’s performance is a pleasant surprise—her role brings an unexpected layer to the story, and the details of her character are best experienced on screen. Sunil, as the villain Rankireddy, follows a standard antagonist path, without much to differentiate his portrayal. Viva Harsha, as the hero’s friend, provides some light-hearted moments, while Senior actor Naresh brings his usual depth to the role of Rocky’s father. Harshavardhan and the supporting cast deliver adequate performances, without particularly standing out.

Technicians:

On the technical front, Mechanic Rocky fares decently. The cinematography by Manoj Reddy is commendable, with visuals that enhance the film’s appeal. While the soundtrack offers some good moments, most songs are average. Jakes Bejoy’s background score complements the film’s pacing, although it doesn’t elevate it to new heights. A standout song by Mangli that adds a pleasant touch to the film. Writer-director Ravi Teja Mullapudi’s execution is a bit of a mixed bag.

His reliance on twists to carry the narrative is apparent, and while the second half of the film benefits from these shifts, the first half feels overly familiar and uninspired. His direction lacks the freshness that one might expect from a new filmmaker, with much of the film falling into predictable patterns. However, he does manage to save some of the first half’s routine storytelling by injecting some intrigue in the second half, making it a more engaging experience overall.

Verdict:

Mechanic Rocky, Needs Some Repair, But Still Runs On.