Akhanda Review - A God Level Mass Film That Should Have Been Screened In Heaven, Not Earth

Boyapati Srinu's spiritual action drama Akhanda sees superstar Nandamuri Balakrishna, aka NBK, in a double role. There have been mass films with a similar storyline about twins, but believe me, there hasn't been a single film as explosive as this one. Superman, Hulk, the Avengers, or even Shaktiman must bow down here. This is a God level mass film that is made for God and the people who believe it blindly. Please don't link it with religious beliefs; I only meant larger-than-life stuff and nothing else. We have heard stories of a man of God and Farishtas since childhood, and here's the film that makes them believable. But does that give filmmakers the liberty to show unreal stuff? The choice is all yours.Akhanda is about twins Murali and Akhanda (both played by Nandamuri Balakrishna), who are separated right after the birth. Murali grows up in a village and becomes the leader of the village, known for his good deeds. A newly appointed IAS officer, Saranya (Pragya Jaiswal), falls in love with Murali, and they have a happy married life. However, their happy life is spoiled by a cruel man who's after an illegal mine, which puts their lives in danger. Then comes Akhanda, a devotee of Lord Shiva and a man sent by God to save the child, his family, and the village. Will the combined might of goons, cops, and politicians stop Akhada from doing a taandava? Akhanda has answers in hardcore action manners.If you remember, Milap Zaveri recently made a mass film called Satyameva Jayate 2, which was panned by critics and audiences for its outdated theories and over-the-top massy treatment. Believe me, when you finish watching the first half of Akhanda, even SMJ2 will look like a classic. You have no idea what's going on. You might even forget that it is 2021 and go back to the 70s, 80s, or 90s; the choice is all yours, and then Akhanda will make you remember the films of NTR, Big B, Rajinikanth, and Chiranjeevi. Ok, so halfway through it's a big torture: the same old story, same old action, same old illogical and over the top stuff. You could enjoy it if you loved SMJ2, or, in the other case, if you don't even know C of Cinema. Then comes Akhanda, the father of all superheroes, and takes this film to God Level Mass Film as if Lord Shiva himself was directing it. It goes on to touch an out-and-out mass zone that no Indian director has ever imagined. Be it Manmohan Desai, Rajkumar Santoshi, Rohit Shetty, SS Rajamouli, or even the latest sensation like KGF by Prashanth Neel.Boyapati Srinu has used mass theories that these people haven't even dreamt of. However, there is one positive side to this: the film comes with a religious reference. If you believe the Avengers and other superheroes with sci-fi theories, then what's wrong with believing Akhanda for being utterly spiritual and devotional to the creator of all? You believe it and enjoy it; I too enjoyed it, but that doesn't mean you can overlook other faults. Akhanda's character comes with that reference, so it's easy to believe, but what about others? What about the terrible first half? Oh, wait, others are still part of the narrative, and they aren't larger-than-life characters or aliens at all. Understand this difference because we live on Earth, not in heaven.Nandamuri Balakrishna is presented in an out-and-out mass zone, and it's a crazy fest for his fans. Moreover, it's a double dose of insanity that causes a massy hysteria on the big screen. Murali is a mass hero, but somewhere he is human. But Akhanda has no boundaries, no limits to whatever he does. Pragya Jaiswal is going to remind you of a 1970s heroine, but she looks beautiful in those traditional avatars. Glad that they didn't show her in a glamorous avatar here. Jagapathi Babu is a cruel antagonist and has all the vibes of a true dark villain from a commercial entertainer. In supporting roles, Srikanth, Nithin Mehta, Avinash, Viji Chandrasekhar, Suresh Chandra Menon, Subbaraju, and Prabhakar have fared decently.In technical aspects, Akhanda is a large-scale action entertainer but not a stylish one. If you love Hollywood-style high-octane stunts and hand-to-hand combat, then Akhanda is not for you. But if you love a Desi entertainer with unimaginable action and unrealistic segments, then Akhanda will be the party for you. The music, the cinematography, and the editing are all what you look for in a typical action-mass film, but isn't it too cliched for today's digital era? Boyapati Srinu delivers a film for die-hard fans of NBK and action flicks. Content lovers and logical cinema lovers should stay far away from it. Overall, Akhanda is a mass party like never before, and it's limitless.