Story

Ravi (Tarun) is an aimless youngster who falls in love with Swati (Arti Agarwal) at the first sight. But he does not get an opportunity to meet and talk to her because of her over protective ruffian brother (Subbaraju). When he comes to know about Swati's unwillingness to marry a guy whom her brother fixed, Ravi helps her by taking her away from marriage ceremony. Then she tells him that she loves a guy called Chandu (Jugal Hansraj). Ravi sacrifices his feelings towards her and decides to unite Swati with Chandu. Rest of the story is all about how all ends well.

Artists Performance

Main Leads: Tarun's role in this film has two shades. It is pretty jovial and irresponsible in first half and very serious and responsible in second half. Tarun did pretty well with effortless ease. Arti Agarwal is slim in this film. She wore traditional Indian dresses in the entire film except for the flashback episode. Jugal Hansraj is miscast for this role. He did not match the sensibility Telugu guy and he could not get into the skin of his character. Hero Sivaji dubbed his voice. Any good-looking Telugu youth hero would have done justice to this role.

Others: The friends' gang of Tarun led by Vijay did well. The kid who did the role of Nani is hilarious. The cameos done by Ali and Sunil are good. The comedy thread involving Brahmanandam and Kalpana Rai is entertaining. Kota Srinivasa Rao is perfect as father of Tarun. Subbaraju is adequate to the role of brother of heroine. Devi Charan had a couple of comedy scenes as henchman to Subbaraju. Venkatesh, Shriya, Sumanth and Srikanth gave special appearances.

Technical Departments:

Story - screenplay - direction: Story of the film is routine. Ravi Babu excelled in shot making department with his stylish taking. Characterizations are good. He brought mood and soul into the first half of the film with his ability to establish the characters in a smooth way. But he could not continue the same mood and smoothness in the second half. Ravi Babu's taste for artwork and locations is superb. He is probably the best director in songs department of modern Telugu cinema. His comedy timing is good. But he could not get the things right in the second half which forms the crux to the entire film. He should have continued the same style of execution for the second half as well. The concept of ring in the second half is good, but it was not executed well.

Other departments: Music by Chakri is good. But what made the songs in the film so stylish is the exceptional work by Ravi Babu. All the songs in the first half of the film provide you with out-of-the-world experience. Here is the description of all four songs of first half in this film -

1. Yendallona: This song is canned on the five friends of Tarun and the friendship bond they share among themselves. This song is a short and sweet melody.
2. Current Shock: This song is about friends teasing Tarun about his love-at-first-sight experience. It has nice instrumentization by Chakri and superb picturization by Ravi Babu.
3. Madhumasam: This song is shot on Tarun and Arti Agarwal. The theme color for this song is blue. Ravi Babu painted the shells of tortoise with stark blue color to match the theme. This is another excellent song.
4. Eppatikappudu: This song is the highlight of Soggadu. This song is great both visually and aurally. The props, locations, costumes and theme of this song make this song most innovative one among the ones we have seen in the recent days

Other departments: Photography by Loknath and Joshi is excellent. Artwork by Bhupesh R Bhupati is very good. Editing by Anthony is appropriate. Digital color grading is very impressive. Production values by Suresh Productions are of high class. Dialogues by Paruchuri brothers and Nivas are good. There are good one liners like -

Sunil: Maa super market vallu door delivery kooda istaru.
Brahmanandam: Maaku already chala door lu vunnai.

Analysis: First half of the film is excellent. Ravi Babu should be appreciated for entertaining the crowds in first half without any story. The flashback episode does not connect well with the audiences. Second half of the film meanders into routine formula. The plus points of the film are Ravi Babu's stylish taking, 1st half, music, photography and artwork. The negative point is second half (especially flashback episode and Jugal Hansraj). This film is a visual feast. You will not regret watching Soggadu as the first half and songs itself would give value for your money.

Soggadu Links
Audio Function
Photo Gallery
Wallpapers
Ravibabu interview
US Schedules
Arti suicide attempt

Jeevi reviews of previous 5 films
Sada Mee Sevalo
Chakram
Prayatnam
Okkade Kani Iddaru
Slokam
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