‘Junior’, the debut film of Kireeti Reddy, struggles to find its footing, delivering a story bogged down by excessive sentimentality and questionable logic.
A Protagonist Lacking Originality
The movie introduces Abhi (Kireeti Reddy), a college student whose singular goal is to “make memories.” His character feels like a patchwork of well-known cinematic heroes, seemingly inspired by archetypes from popular films.
Raised by an overprotective single father, Kodandapani (V Ravichandran), Abhi feels stifled by constant affection. He seeks out conflict and intense emotions simply because his father shielded him from them. While this premise has potential, its execution often falls flat.
A Story Lost in Sentiment
At its heart, ‘Junior’ aims to be a coming-of-age tale. However, it leans heavily into a sentimental family drama style, rarely holding back on emotional overload. The film attempts to show Abhi realizing life isn’t just about himself, but the journey to that realization is fraught with issues.
The first half, spanning over two hours, is filled with scenes that feel largely unnecessary. Abhi’s college adventures and romantic interests, including Spoorthi (Sreeleela), contribute little to the plot. Despite energetic music by Devi Sri Prasad and Kireeti’s dancing, the writing lacks direction, leading to unengaging jokes and a stagnant narrative.
Genelia’s Return and Plot Holes
The film gains some direction with the entry of Vijaya (Genelia Deshmukh), a formidable global enterprise leader. Genelia delivers a strong performance, bringing much-needed gravitas to her character. Her role briefly sets up an interesting dynamic, challenging Abhi to mature.
However, this promising development is short-lived. The plot soon reverts to clichés, undermining the initial spark. The narrative also consistently sacrifices logic for convenience. For instance, a massive tech crew inexplicably relocates to a small village for a CSR initiative without a plausible reason.
Characters are kept apart for artificial dramatic effect, and medical conditions are manipulated solely to create forced plot twists. These contrivances rarely feel earned, making it difficult for the audience to suspend disbelief.
Glimmers of Hope
Despite its many flaws, ‘Junior’ does offer a few bright spots. V Ravichandran delivers a commendable, restrained performance as Abhi’s doting father, leaving a strong impression. Kireeti Reddy, though generally underwhelming in his debut, shares some genuinely emotional scenes with Genelia.
The film also benefits from strong technical aspects. The production design is notable, and cinematographer KK Senthil Kumar (‘Baahubali’, ‘RRR’) provides rich, vibrant visuals. Devi Sri Prasad’s background score also manages to elevate some moments, even when the script doesn’t.
- ‘Junior’ struggles as a launchpad for Kireeti Reddy.
- Over-reliance on sentimentality and illogical plot points weaken the narrative.
- Genelia Deshmukh and V Ravichandran deliver strong performances.
- Technical aspects like cinematography and production design are highlights.
Ultimately, ‘Junior’ attempts to be both a star launch vehicle and a poignant family drama, but it fails to execute either effectively, resulting in a tedious and often illogical viewing experience.
