Bangaru Babu

Star Cast: Jagapathi Babu, Meera Jasmine, Sashank, Sonu Sood and others

Director: Jonnalagadda  Srinivasa Ro

Music: MM Srilekha

Release date: 01 May 2009

The film is about honesty, family honour, value of relationships over money etc. etc. etc. The old fashioned story and outdated presentation style makes the film a dull and drab affair.

Story:

Murali Mohan is a rich industrialist. He lives happily with his wife and three kids. The industrialist dies of injuries following a helicopter crash. But before his death, he records his confession on a CD and asks the doctor to hand it over to his second son, Bangaru Babu (Jagpathi Babu). The industrialist has an extra-marital affair with another woman. She bears him two children, one boy and one girl. But due to societal pressures and prestige, Murali Mohan refuses to tie the knot with her.

This angers the woman and she leaves him and goes away. Murali Mohan tries to locate her whereabouts but in vain. Now in his confession statement from his death bed, Murali Mohan asks Jagapathi Babu to locate them and undo the injustice done to them. Sashank and his sister are the two illegitimate children of Murali Mohan. They have lost their mother at an early age and grow up in abject poverty. Sashank bears a grudge against his unknown father and wants to take revenge for cheating his mother. Sashank becomes a drug addict and is about to be debarred from college when Jagapathi Babu learns that he is the one he is looking for.

Jagapathi Babu starts taking care of Sashank and his sister and grandmother, Rama Prabha. Slowly Sashank mends his ways and also kicks his drug habit. He studies well and becomes college topper. But Sashank does not know that his father is none other than Murali Mohan.

On a parallel track, Jagapathi Babu falls in love with a florist, Meera Jasmine. They keep romancing on side while on the other side Jagapathi Babu tries to help Sashank in all possible ways.

But Jagapathi Babu’s grandmother and his elder brother Sonu Sood do not approve of his efforts to take care of Sashank and his sister. A wicked businessman, Sayaji Shinde makes use of Sashank’s anger against his father by telling him the truth and manages to create a rift between Jagapathi Babu and Sashank.

The rest of the story is how Jagapathi Babu foils the attempt of Sayaji Shinde to grab the educational institution established by Murali Mohan. Shinde wants to construct a huge mall at the place.

The film then reaches a predictable climax with all misunderstandings cleared and everyone come together and live as a joint family.

Performance:

Jagapathi Babu plays the main role in the film. He plays his role of a loving and caring brother to perfection. H also plays a god lover to Meera Jasmine. Sashank plays a angry young man who is dejected with his life as he has to bear the stigma of not knowing who his father is. He falters in some key scenes but gives a okay performance.

Meera Jasmine has put on a log of weight since her last film. She is there to only add some relief and liven up the proceedings. Jaya Sudha plays the role of Jagapathi Babu’s mother and she fits into the role perfectly.

Murali Mohan plays a guest role. Sayaji Shinde is very loud. MS Narayana, Dharmavarapu and LB Sriram are used to raise a few chuckles.

The story and screenplay have been done by Dasari Narayana Rao. The idea in the film is old fashioned and it is unlikely to appeal to the present generation of audience. The film reminds us of the films of the seventies and eighties.

It may have worked then but it is highly unlikely that it will work now. The thin attendance in the theaters on the opening day gives a clear indication about this.

For Jagapathi Babu, Bangaru Babu is another addition to his long growing list of flops.