Story is set before Andhra Pradesh was divided into two states. Bharat Ram (Mahesh Babu) who is studying in foreign gets call from India that his father Raghava (Sharat Kumar) who is Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has passed away.
The idealistic Bharat Ram now is entrusted to take up fathers CM post. He takes the help of his fathers friend Varadarajulu (Prakash Raj) in administration but soon realizes that Varadarajulu is misusing power and indulging in corruption and illegal activities. Meanwhile, he falls in love with young staff member of his office Vasumati (Kiara).
The story is all about how his love life becomes a problem and how the crooked Varadarajulu tries to topple his government.
Analysis:-
Making political dramas is the toughest job because the maker has to do a balancing act. Director Koratala Siva speaks about the flaws in the system rather than targeting one party or glorifying the other. He talks about accountability of elected officials and responsibility of the people adhering to the laws.
Creating leaderless society is the real meaning of leadership is the theme of his political drama. This theme sets the film apart from other similar political dramas centered on young CMs like Sekhar Kammulas Leader and Shankars Oke Okkadu.
Koratala has developed a different knack for telling stories with mass heroes. He doesnt resort to comedy tracks, he doesnt focus too much on romance except adding customary songs, yet he holds the interest of the common audiences and also elevates heroism.
In Bharat Ane Nenu, he begins the story in a straightforward manner a son becomes CM when his father dies suddenly. He first narrates the back story of heros mother, his relationship with his mother and establishes the basis for main drama. Thus, he takes too much of time to come to the main point in the first half.
However, once Mahesh Babu takes charge as chief minister, the film turns quite interesting and engaging. Though it slips occasionally, the funny romantic thread between the CM and a college girl and the first assembly session are major highlights in the first half.
The interval bang is perfect. It reveals who is the protagonist and what fight the hero has to take. Interestingly, there is no single action episode in the entire first half, which is quite unique for a big star movie.
Post interval, the movie focuses on heroism. Mahesh Babu teaching an MLA lesson in Rayalaseema and the first fight in Durga Mahal theatre is terrific. This as unique as mamidi thota sequence in Srimanthudu. Later the movie dips as Mahesh focuses on changes that he brings in governance. In this, he introduces a concept of local governance. These sequences are quite routine and give dejavu feel. Such sequences were novel when Shankar made Oke Okkadu.
Luckily, the story introduces a twist and Mahesh Babus terrific performance in the press meet episode brings the movie back on to track. This is the highlight of the movie.
What works in the film are Mahesh Babus absolute charisma, his performance and two episodes (Durga Mahal and press meet).
The story doesnt offer anything new, the screenplay is also regular, but still Koratala weaves magic in holding the interest till the end.
It is not easy to hold interest in a movie that has nearly 3 hours runtime without an item song, or silly comedy track, or too many fight sequences.
On the downside, the film has very slow narration, second half is full of cliched scenes.
Greatandhra