George Reddy - An Appealing Biopic where Sandeep Madhav Stuns All The Way

Suhansid Srikanth

Sandeep Madhav is terrific as the self composed yet the fierceful leader that George Reddy is. He holds an amazing screen presence. Despite being just two films old, his ability to come off beyond convincing with action sequences is amazing. Be it the speech sequences or ones where he is a listener to people's issues, he pulls it off with great ease that at some point you start believing that there can't be a better choice of someone else to play the man than him.

The biopic is structured as a commercial film that tracks George Reddy's life as the rise of a hero. It has fights and mass moments that devote the charisma and personality of the hero. I love how the female lead is used. The female gaze is through which we see George Reddy's rise and revolts. There is a beautifully conceived love song as well which doesn't go conventional but tracks how extraordinary and attractive he is.

Jeevan Reddy's direction intakes several influences from Ram Gopal Varma. Much later, I learnt that he has assisted RGV and Sandeep Madhav made his debut with RGV's biopic drama, Vangaveeti. From dramatic extended closeups to head-boggling 360 degree camera works, from the manly female lead sketch to hysterically ambitious villains, the film lends several cinematic techniques and explores it brilliantly.

Another stunner aspect of the film is the cinematography by Sudhagar Reddy Yakanti. The period tone doesn't just come off as sore thumb. It serves as an extension of the film's detailing and the ambience it demands. I loved how the camerawork switched to a very handheld, almost documentary tone when it comes to the present day portions where it follows a girl who is making her project film on George Reddy.

The action stretches are a treat to watch on screen. The fight that takes place in canteen.. The one in ground with a fired up football.. The one with a chain of blades tucked to a kerchief.. there is so much realism to them in the way they have been executed. Sandeep pulls them all with a great sense of rage and heroism. At times, he also reminds me of yesteryear Prabhas. And if all goes well, there is a great star and actor in him to do wonders in future.

Bottomline: Jeevan Reddy's biopic drama, "George Reddy' is a raging biopic with a mightily impressive performance by Sandeep Madhav. Though one might have reservations about the commercial mould the film sticks to.. It is no doubt that the honesty with which the character and craft has been approached deserves a watch!

Rating : 3.5 / 5