Dear Comrade Movie Review: Rating 2.5/5
Film: Dear Comrade
Director: Bharat Kamma
Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika Mandanna, Shruti Ramachandran, Jayaprakash and Brahmaji
Arjun Reddy made Vijay Devarakonda a huge star overnight. He has a crazy following in youth – his fans are often termed as Rowdies. His latest film Dear Comrade with Rashmika Mandanna directed by Bharat Kamma hit theatres today amongst huge buzz created by posters and trailers of the film. This film released in Tamil and Malayalam simultaneously.
Dear Comrade is both beautiful and problematic as it is the kind of film you end up falling in love with or hating outright. For instance, at a key juncture in the movie, Bobby wishes to become more important than cricket in Lily’s life. It’s a silly proposition and you’re made to wonder why a girl should give up on her dreams for the sake of the man in her life. Initially, this scene comes across as very problematic in a film in which we have an independent woman with big dreams. Thankfully, Bharat Kamma doesn’t make his heroine suck up to the hero and delivers a strong message that no woman should give up her passion for love.
The film does have traces of Arjun Reddy, especially when we see Bobby seething with rage. However, as characters, both Arjun Reddy and Bobby are very different because they come from different economic backgrounds, have different ideologies and approach life differently. Bobby is protective of Lily, and he’s both her strength and weakness. Dear Comrade, despite some problematic moments and pacing issues, is elevated by the terrific performances of its lead cast and Justin Prabhakaran’s soul-lifting music. Vijay Deverakonda’s character arc changes so many times but he delivers with ease. But the real star of the film is Rashmika Mandanna, who makes Lily one of the most memorable and strong female lead characters of recent times with her splendid performance.
Dear Comrade does tumble towards the end with a slightly below par climax, but it’s still an effort you want to appreciate. It presents a hero who is fearless and possesses strong values. You might want to question his actions, but he definitely makes you sit up with his approach to life. The film, about life, love and facing our worst fears, achieves more than one can imagine and that’s what makes it a winner.