Action is a constantly evolving genre, especially when the film combines it with martial arts. Telugu cinema has a living tradition of such films. Take Telugu fighting dramas like Thammudu (1999) – a kickboxing movie; Bhadrachalam (2002) – Taekwondo film; Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi (2003) – film based on kickboxing; and Guru (2017) – a boxing drama, all of which originated as super hits. The reason for their popularity remained the emotional core that connected the audience. For example, in Thammud and Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi is a tense father-son relationship associated with the audience. Watching the movie made us cheer on the protagonist.
Ghani enters this pantheon by Varun Teje, but unlike his famous predecessors, he lacks the emotional charge that allows the audience to land in your corner.
Varun’s Ghani hates his father Vikramaditya (Upendra) because he believes he has made his way to the sport of boxing. This point, which may have been the mainstay of the film, is told so simply and predictably that it never registers it. From Ghani’s approach to boxing to his hatred of his father and how he is doing in this sport, everything seems forced and artificial. The betting angle in Ghani’s story is another missed opportunity.
Ghani acts like a film from the 80’s due to its tone and impression. Actors like Upendra, Suniel Shetty, Jagapathi Babu and Nadiya are wasted in the film. While Upender’s Vikramaditya seems to give a lecture on every occasion he gets, Suniel Shetty seems to be the only one joking.
The effort that Varun Tej put into the role is visible, and if there is one reason to watch this film, it is him. But to be a mass and action hero, he needs more than just paying Ghani.
