Must be our bad Karma.
The first Telugu movie (that too in the evening of our life) and what a ghastly nightmare it turned out to be!
Just imagine how much more damage Ganesh would have inflicted on our senses if we’d understood the language. There must be a God somewhere smiling upon us.
Kid Stuff
Folks, Ganesh (Ram, Kajal Aggarwal) is kid stuff, in both the literal and figurative sense.
A silly, stupid love story featuring two grownup kids Ganesh (Ram) and Divya (Kajal Aggarwal) and a army of kid kids, Ganesh ought not to have ever seen the light of the day.
Sheer torture.
All 165 or so minutes.
What effrontery prompted the producer Sravanti Ravi Kishore to make, and then dare to release this piece of shit in theatres, is a question that can only be answered by a panel of competent psychiatrists.
The second villain of this sick crap is some freak-o-Rama called M.Saravanan, who takes credit for the story, screenplay and direction.
We strongly advise Ganesh ticketholders to carefully retain their tickets – You see, we think Saravanan can be hauled off to court in a class action lawsuit for misrepresentation because this garbage has none of three crucial elements claimed – Story, Screenplay and Direction.
This juvenile drama centers around that grownup kid Ganesh (Ram), who to save his friend Rakesh’s love affair, agrees to fall in love with the second grownup kid Divya (Kajal Aggarwal), who is supposed to marry her relative (yes, the same Rakesh) as per an old agreement among the family elders.
Somewhere along the way, feigned love turns into true love for our Ganesh.
As if this nonsense were not adequate to ignite our fury, there’s a bunch of 20-odd devilish kids in the apartment complex making life miserable for all and sundry and frequently insisting on our Ganesh morphing into a superman.
Then there is the buffoon oops villain (Ashish Vidyarti) and a Pedda Don (Brahmandam). God, the antics Vidyarthi and Brahmandam have to engage in for a few coins. Our heart goes out to them.
To think that film-makers in this day and age still churn out such amateur stuff, even if it be in the cesspool of Tollywood, is cause for grave alarm. Will the Congress High Command Soniaji and Rahulji, please look into this too while settling the Andhra Pradesh state leadership issue.
Word-missiles like Champaestanu and Rakshashi flew by constantly as the small-statured hero smashes to a pulp an entire gang of villains, occasionally single-handedly (literally), and once miraculously landing his blimp on the villain’s terrace.
The final fighting scene is the best comedy we’ve seen in a long time. Thank you, Peter Heins.
Acting Part
As far as acting goes, Ram seemed alright (by Tollywood standards, or at least our idea of it) until the interval and then careened downhill.
The guy is a better dancer than his girl.
Banian Girl
Much as we wanted to be sympathetic to Kajal Aggarwal, we must acknowledge that the girl had a hard time emoting and had a stern expression plastered on her face for much of the movie.
As she proved during her effete lovey-dovey scenes, the girl would have a hard time getting a rise out of even Casanova.
By the way, Kajal Aggarwal desperately needs breast augmentation. The poor thing must probably be going around in banians. 😉
In several crucial scenes, banian gal was completely lost. For instance, when she overhears the bit about feigned love, when Ganesh slashes his wrist at her Peddama’s place, the kissing rehearsal under the tree and the final moments after Ganesh gives one of those filmy bhashans about love. In all of these scenes, Kajal Aggarwal was a lump of wood.
Someone, please find this girl a dance teacher. Her dance moves reminded us of Vadivelu’s swagger in Kanthaswamy.
People Walked Out, Really
Sure, the movie was rubbish from the first frame but it turned into an infernal nightmare for the last 60-70 minutes.
Our neighbors (a group of three seated in front of us) were the first to walk out during the second half, followed by bigger groups every few minutes.
Hey, who can blame these battered souls for seeking relief from this lengthy ordeal.
If we didn’t have this review, we’d have headed out too and rushed over to the nearest bar for a stiff scotch to restore our sanity.
As is to be expected in a trashy movie of this ilk, your love for your dream-girl can only be proven by slashing your wrist.
Decent Music
Mercifully, the music was a saving grace of this piece of junk although the picturization of songs set a new record in silliness and crudity.
Our favorite songs were Chalo Chalore and Lalla Lai.
Picturization of Raj Kumari, Raj Kumari You are My Heart and Soul is not meant to be watched by those with weak hearts or the elderly with pacemakers.
Are You Kidding?
Guys, this pretender of a movie screams to be shown the middle finger.
Ignore Ganesh with gusto (although we suggest you consider buying the music CD).
Ganesh Review – Nijanga Garbage added by SearchIndia.com on
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Woow.. You’re watching a telugu movie!!. This is a history of sorts. Is this the first telugu movie you’re watching in theatre?
SearchIndia.com Responds (via iPhone):
First Telugu movie of our life.
They are playing London Dreams trailer now.
Yours will probable be the first review of the movie on net. So, what’s the result?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Still watching.
Junk so far…past the interval.
I suppose this would be your first and last?? 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
On the contrary!
We are in a masochistic mood, lately.
Here’s the full review: Ganesh Review – Nijanga Garbage
off to sleep with a disturbed mind?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Oh, no.
Here’s the full review: Ganesh Review – Nijanga Garbage
ewww….no no no no!!! First telugu movie and u watch THIS??? seriously….i agree it is garbage…but this ones like a C grade flick which no-one back home would watch!
Hope ur second experience turns out good i.e if you r not completely put off telugu movies for like a year or two after this traumatic incident..lol!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: ewww….no no no no!!! First telugu movie and u watch THIS???
We picked Ganesh because it’s a new movie. We doubt it’s released in India.
2. Here’s the full review: Ganesh Review – Nijanga Garbage
Why should we be the only ones to suffer! 😉
3. You write: Hope ur second experience turns out good i.e if you r not completely put off telugu movies for like a year or two after this traumatic incident
Oh, no. Not put off…was as expected.
Lots more on the way. After all, the Telugu film-makers are a fecund lot. 😉
lol…okay….so whats in line? wht other movies r gonna watch?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. We have some names from your list the other day – Godavari and Athadu.
The Netflix DVDs may have sub-titles, of course.
2. Has Ganesh released in India? We don’t think so but want to make sure.
BTW, there were about 65 people in the hall.
I thought Kajal’s titties are her only good assets.. face is .. well..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu9FAd6-00A
Guys & Gals like you are the reason why innocent girls mangle their breasts.. what size is “normal” for you!! geez!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: I thought Kajal’s titties are her only good assets..
Bet you a million dollars that Tantex banians are best suited for Kajal Aggarwal.
If the girl wears a bra, it must be sheer vanity or utter stupidity. 😉
A few thousand like Kaajal Agarwal and Victoria’s Secret will be out of business
2. You write: what size is “normal” for you!! geez!
In a pinch, we can make do with 36-C. Remember, that’s only in a pinch.
Telugu movies are as trashy as their Tamil counterparts.. Very rarely do good movies come up in these languages (Did I say miracles do occur!!)
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Even the miracles of the original Ganesh can’t save this garbage.
btw I heard movie by name ‘Earam’ in Tamil is good, Unfortunately this movie is not released in United States. 🙁
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Eeram did release here but only in a few theatres – Chicago and Bay Area.
Movie didn’t make it to your or our areas.
Have you heard of http://www.popcornhour.com
It streams and plays all kinds of video and digital media – from your PC, storage device, network or the Internet – directly to your TV or home entertainment system.
So, you don’t need to worry about watching the movies on PC.. the PCH will stream the downloaded files to your TV. I will wait till it goes mainstream and the price goes down.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Just checked out the above web link.
Doesn’t look like a big deal.
Nothing beats the simplicity of the $99 Roku.
Never had any issue with it. Streams smoothly on WiFi too.
For PC video, our 20-inch LCD monitor is good enough.
who the f**K are you to write a review on our telugu movie?
If you are a tamil then better keep your rotten [trash talk] in tamil nadu itself.
[Deleted] nuvu ekada unnaru nuvu?
You might be a [trash talk] with no work to write all garbage here.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: who the f**K are you to write a review on our telugu movie?
Ha ha ha ha.
When did you get a patent on Telugu movies?
Your Telugu movies, Our Tamil movies, His Hindi movies, Her English movies, grow up kiddo.
Has Josh released in the US? One of my batchmates from school- Naga Chaitanya, is the hero. Apparently its a hit in India. You might want to check it out.
Most of the good movies recently in Telugu came from Sekhar Kammula. You might want to check out Happy Days, Godavari, Anand (very nice movie), Kotha Bangaru Lokam.
Among the older ones, see if you get a DVD of Kshana Kshanam.. vintage RGV stuff with splendid acting by Nagarjuna and Sridevi.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Has Josh released in the US? One of my batchmates from school- Naga Chaitanya, is the hero
Yes, Josh released here.
Something tells us, Naga Chaitanya is related to Nagarjuna, the enfant terrible of acting.
2. Godavari review coming next week.
-correction-
Kshana Kshana featured Venkatesh and Sreedevi 😉
Reading the comments in another post., I hate to see what meaning it would make if we put Nagarjuna and good acting in the same comment 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We’ll try to get hold of Kshana Kshanam. Wiki mentions that Sreedevi won several awards for her performance.
SI is in a good mood or what? Or tired of replying to trash talk 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
It’s 5:22PM ET and SI is in a great mood. 🙂
I am getting everything wrong.. I thought Elnino was in Aurora, IL.
I loved Paresh Rawal and Sridevi in Kshana Kshanam.. Venkatesh doesn’t have much to do, as far as I remember. Easily my fav. RGV movie. I couldn’t get a ticket for Rajini’s Annamalai and so I landed in the dubbed version of KK (I think it was called “Yennamo nadakuthu”). It was apparently dubbed into Hindi as “Hairaan”.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: I loved Paresh Rawal
The best thing about Paresh Rawal is his wife Swaroop Sampat.
Watched a few episodes of Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi in the distant past.
Naga Chaitanya is Nagarjuna’s son.
Like Bollywood, Kollywood and Kannada-movies-in-the-woods, Tollywood (Telugu) also encourages star sons/relatives to have a go at acting/movies. The only outsiders are females perhaps.
Didnt know that Swaroop Sampath is Paresh Rawal’s wife.
The Renu-Ranjeet combination was the highlight of YJHZ.
Didnt see much of her after YJHZ (barring a movie Naram-Garam, with Amol Palekar and Shotgun Sinha).
Shafi Inamdar (who played Ranjeet) was a fine actor as well.
BTW, still waiting for you to watch, enjoy and review that gold standard of sensible humour of Hindi movies called Golmaal (1978). With so many movies already on your plate, I am not very hopeful. Sad to know that your initiation into watching Telugu movies was not particularly pleasing.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Yes, Shafi Inamdar was a decent actor. We felt sad to hear of his death some years back.
2. Golmaal will surely come one of these days. On our list.
3. Some of our readers are clamoring for the review of Seetha Ramu (an old Kannada film in which Shankar Nag dies, his girlfriend Manjula goes mad. Shankar Nag’s body is exhumed, his brain removed and inserted into Manjula’s head. Voila, Manula is now swearing like a sailor and fighting the baddies like Shankar Nag). Any suggestions on where we can get our hands on this three-decade old Kannada ‘masterpiece’ Seetha Ramu?
Offtopic: Listening to Nagunagutha Nali Nali in the background, an old P.B.Srinivas song in the background. Classic.
Off topic: Are ya guys skipping What’s your Raashee?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
One Priyanka and one Harman is bad enough.
13 of them is lunacy.
We’re still recovering from the trauma of Love Story 2050.
Well, I have no clue about Seetha Ramu.
You folks seem to be in a mood to derive vicarious pleasure by re-watching and re-bashing Seetha Ramu.
This kind of ‘brain transplant’ etc in Indian movies is not uncommon, and is limited only by the imagination of the director.
If at all you want to watch Shankar Nag, watch Minchina Ota (Ota meaning run). Shankar Nag the director definitely had some creative ability.
Else, pick up Babruvaahana for some scintillating performance by the one and the only Annavru, that too in a double role.
P.B.Srinivas’s ‘kanchina kantha’ will resonate forever in the households, hearts and minds of all Kannadigas.
He was a part of Rajkumar’s identity in the earlier days.
When Raj started singing for himself, it was a setback for PBS.
Nevertheless, his ‘Naa haaDuva nuDiyey KannaDa nuDi’ in GandhadaguDi has kind of immortally bound him and Raj.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Nevertheless, his ‘Naa haaDuva nuDiyey KannaDa nuDi’ in GandhadaguDi has kind of immortally bound him and Raj.
Just purchased Naavaduva Nudiye from Apple iTunes. Playing in the background.
2. You write: You folks seem to be in a mood to derive vicarious pleasure by re-watching and re-bashing Seetha Ramu.
Some of our Tamil readers would like the full review of Seetha Ramu.
Perhaps it warms the cockles of their hearts that long before the advent of Ajith’s movies, the Kannada film industry was churning out ‘masterpieces’ like Seetha Ramu.
3. You write: This kind of ‘brain transplant’ etc in Indian movies is not uncommon,
Maybe.
But Manjula fighting like Shankar Nag and pulverizing a whole bunch of thugs after the brain transplant is unique by any brain transplant standards. 😉
4. You write: If at all you want to watch Shankar Nag, watch Minchina Ota
We’ve heard of Minchina Ota but haven’t seen it.
Our favorite Shankar Nag duet is Hosa Balu from Auto Raja.
Wonder whatever happened to Geeta (??), Shankar Nag’s heroine in the movie. She seemed like one of the better actresses.
Just learned that Shankar Nag died at a tender age of 35. too bad.. that Kannada cinema lost such a genius.
guruprasad said:
If at all you want to watch Shankar Nag, watch Minchina Ota (Ota meaning run). Shankar Nag the director definitely had some creative ability.
Else, pick up Babruvaahana for some scintillating performance by the one and the only Annavru, that too in a double role.
Was this whole thing told in a sarcastic tone?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Just learned that Shankar Nag died at a tender age of 35. too bad.. that Kannada cinema lost such a genius.
Shankar Nag dead? You sure? 😉
There was a conspiracy theory around the time of his death that Shankar Nag hadn’t really died.
2. You write: Was this whole thing told in a sarcastic tone?
No, not in a sarcastic vein but in an irritated tone.
Guruprasad seems a little irritated that we (and some our readers like Boopalanj) continue to harp on Seetha Ramu, which showcases the Kannada film industry at its nadir, while ignoring the better ones.
So, he’s suggesting we get past Seetha Ramu and focus on movies like Minchina Ota and Babruvahana. Annavru in the sentence is a reference to Rajkumar.
But we remain steadfast in our determination to review the Seetha Ramu ‘masterpiece.’ So, if any of our readers are aware of a DVD or even a Video Cassette of Seetha Ramu, we’d be mucho obliged if you let us know.
SI: There was a conspiracy theory around the time of his death that Shankar Nag hadn’t really died.
oh.. his brain may still be living! who got it?
onde ondu aaseyu.. seetha ramu film haadu iddae review maadi.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Hey, that’s a nice song (S.Janaki and S.P.Balasubramaniam), even if it’s from Seetha Ramu! ;).
YouTube doesn’t have it, at least the original.
Just purchased it from Apple iTunes (99 cents).
It hurts to read this review knowing someone associated with the movie…
all movie makers want to make good movies .. nobody deliberately makes crappy movie .. but its hard to please everyone .. I really think it is not fair for a person who has never watched a telugu movie to write such a review trying to influence others .. of course nobody can stop you or anyone else from writing any crap .. but it’ll be nice if you can stay away from telugu movies if you can’t stand them .. plz don’t write crap like this ..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: It hurts to read this review knowing someone associated with the movie…
Tho thorry, thweetie pie. 😉
As the Americans here say, we feel your pain.
2. You write: but it’ll be nice if you can stay away from telugu movies if you can’t stand them
Oh, boy!
What ever will you ask next? That it’ll be nice if our hands should never go down there. You know where. 😉
3. You write: all movie makers want to make good movies
We respectfully disagree.
A pathetic piece of shit like Ganesh can never be an accident.
Countless hours of thought, plotting, strategizing, theorizing, deliberations, market research and trial-runs must have gone into producing a movie as rotten as Ganesh.
Wondering if Ganesh Producer ‘Sravanthi’ Ravi Kishore and Director M.Saravanan hired McKinsey or Accenture in their demoniacal efforts. 😉
4. Over the years, we’ve borne many a sling and many an arrow hurled at us with stoic equanimity.
But the traumatic laceration of our soul by our first Telugu movie Ganesh is in a completely different league.
We now mutter the names of Ganesh Producer ‘Sravanthi’ Ravi Kishore, Director M.Saravanan, Ram and Kajal Aggarwal in the same breath as Ivan the Terrible and Atilla the Hun.
I dont believe this is your first Telugu movie ever!
Or did you mean this one’s your first Telugu movie since you moved to the US?
How did you like Athadu, btw?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: I dont believe this is your first Telugu movie ever
Yemandi, meku intha anumanama (you are so suspicious)?
Modhulu, meeru memu Americaninchi blogging chestunnamani nammaledu (first, you did not believe we were blogging from the U.S.).
Ippudu, Ganesh maa modhati Telugu movie ante nammatledu (now, you refuse to believe that Ganesh was our first Telugu movie ever).
Nijanga Ganesh maa modati Telugu cinema. Asha Tampa meeda ottu (Ganesh was really our first Telugu movie. We swear on Asha Tampa).
Mee anumana-buddhi maa gundae pagala kottaesindi (We are heartbroken over your disbelieving attitude).
Ganesh baaga chetthaga undhi (Ganesh was trash).
2. Yet to see Athadu. Hopefully, soon.
LOL! 😛
A guy who is familiar with Karachi Bakery, and not a single Telugu movie? A guy who speaks more correct Telugu than me, and not a single Telugu movie? Puhlease dont swear on me! 😀
Mee Telugu choosi nenu chaala chaala navvenu. Still in splits. Missed ya! 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: A guy who is familiar with Karachi Bakery,
A guy?
Yemandi, ma battalu yeppudaina ethi chupinchama (did we ever raise our dress).
Yenti matladutunnaru! (what are you talking, eh)
2. Malli cheptunanu, mee meeda ottu, Ganesh maa modhati Telugu cinema (we swear on you again, Ganesh is our First Telugu movie)
Nammithe nammandi, lekapothe ledhu (believe it or not)
Ha, SI’s telugu transliteration is far superior compared to it’s Tamil transliteration 😉
[Guess what, again SI would have poured transliterated words from Tamil. But now he/she/it had seen this note, he/she/it would not do so..Btw, who is it, giving you all the telugu text 😉 I had read you telling that you knew only little telugu..]
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Champaestanu, a word we picked up from the movie Ganesh.
Correction in the Telugu, SI..
Ganesh, chaala chetthaga undhi 😀
Was good to see and funny reading your telugu 😉
“Kotha Bangaru Lokam” choodandi. Paatalu kuda chaala baaga unnai.. 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Kotha Bangaru Lokam is coming to Netflix but not there yet.
We’re just learning Telugu.
Most likely, we’ll get bitter after a dozen Telugu films.
Though Ganesh is your first straight telugu movie, you’ve already watched Salangai Oli, remember? (the dubbed version of course). See if you can get Sippikkul Muthu, the dubbed version of Swathi Mutyam by K. Viswanath. This came two years later in 1985.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Netflix does not have Sippikkul Muthu.
They only have Sangeet, Saregam, Sanjog and Kamchor.
Hey SI..
My Deep condolences for watching such a garbage. I appreciate your patience for reviewing this kinda stupid movies. I am eagerly waiting to see your reviews on these movies:
1.Sirivennela:
Cast:SarvadamanBenerjee, Suhasini, MoonMoonsen, etc
Music:K.V.Mahadevan (Flute Track by Hariprasad chourasia)
Lyrics: Sirivennela Seetharama Sasthry
Dialogues: Jandhyala
ScreenPlay & Direction: K.Viswanath
2.Swathimuthyam:
Cast:KamalHassan, Radhika, etc
Music:Ilayaraja
Dialogues: Jandhyala
ScreenPlay & Direction: K.Viswanath
3.Rudraveena
Cast:Chiranjeevi, Sobhana, GeminiGanesan, Satyanarayana, etc
Music:Ilayaraja
ScreenPlay & Direction: K.Balachander
4.Sutradharulu
Cast:Dr.NageswaraRao, Bhanuchander, Muralimohan, Satyanarayana, etc
Music:K.V.Mahadevan
Lyrics: Veturi
Dialogues: Jandhyala
ScreenPlay & Direction: K.Viswanath
5.Sankarabharanam
Cast:JV.Somayajulu, ManjuBhargavi, Baby Tulasi, etc
Music:K.V.Mahadevan
Dialogues: Jandhyala
ScreenPlay & Direction: K.Viswanath
6.SwarnaKamalam
Cast:BhanuPriya, Venkatesh, Master Srinivas, etc
Music:Ilayaraja
Dialogues: Jandhyala
ScreenPlay & Direction: K.Viswanath
7.Sruthilayalu
Cast:Dr.Rajasekhar, Naresh, Rajesh, Sumalatha, etc
Music:K.V.Mahadevan
Dialogues: Jandhyala
ScreenPlay & Direction: K.Viswanath
Please find these movies to refresh yourself from the current day trashes.. Oops Sorry.. so called movies.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Go away.
We’re currently in extremis after watching
Supreme Herooops Mega Star’s Yamudiki Mogudu last night.2. We’ll see which ones in your above list are available at Netflix and watch/review them.