The story begins in Jamaica, yes you read that one right in Jamaica. Rock (Sai Dharam Teja) is like any other youngster in the black neighbourhood who dreams of having sex with a hot chic. Well, into his life comes Amritha (Saiyami Kher), a girl who dreams of competing in the BOW competition to fulfill the dream of her dead brother. So, the film has to have a baddie and it comes in the form of Jenna, two times winner of BOW who is hell bent on hitting the hat-trick. From their college Bob Marley Music Academy to the US, Rock and Amritha have the quintessential love-hate relationship but have one common goal. So do they have it in them to win the big fight? Does Jenna allow them to win the title?
Okay, the film starts off with a voice-over from YVS Choudhary that the audience must look beyond the setting of the story as it is an attempt at bringing the culture of street style dancing from Jamaica and the US to the Telugu audiences. Then there is Ram’s voice-over introducing the hero Rock. Despite all this, nothing prepares you for the many black characters speaking in Telugu.
To keep the feel right, YVS retains a lot of black characters and that might be a bit of a culture shock to regular Telugu audiences especially in B, C centres.
Even in urban pockets, not many can relate to them unless they are aware of the Bronx culture in black neighbourhoods. It is also very loud in keeping with the story and this might irk many viewers.
But YVS must be appreciated for trying to make a film that is targeted at the youth obsessed with street style dancing from major cities across the world. He also shows the murkier side of fame and success in the world of pop. And his biggest plus is having a female antagonist. So far, he is successful and then trouble begins.
The film is so long that you begin to lose patience by the time interval happens. And the surprising part is that the songs are also too long and test your patience. Once you get the story which moves forward on predictable lines, you slowly start losing interest.
It is pretty tough to control your child and likewise YVS finds it hard to trim his film and that’s where he loses. Had he told the story in a shorter format and with more pace, it would have surely worked at one level. But Rey is stretched to the extent that it becomes tedious watching by the time climax happens.
Yet, it is rather interesting to note that YVS thanks a lot of people, dead and alive; puts in a message against piracy, puts forth the idea for a multi-starrer with Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh and NTR.
Also, the second half has some scenes that do not match the theme of the film and YVS must have chopped them off to save time and to tighten the story. In all, you will have to take a risk if you really want to watch in theatres for Sai Dharam Teja and YVS.