NOTA is a bilingual (Tamil/Telugu) film directed by Anand Shankar, and starring Vijay Deverakonda (of Arjun Reddy fame). The plot revolves around a bohemian youngster who becomes the reluctant CM of a state. How he copes with this responsibility is what the film is about. With music by Sam CS and an ensemble cast of Sathyaraj and Nasar, the pre-release buzz has been more than promising.
Does the film live up to the hype? Let’s vote.
A Different Kind of CM - Hero
The premise of someone unqualified taking over the post of a CM works only if it can be made believable. It was explored in Shankar’s Mudhalvan (remade in Hindi as Naayak with Anil Kapoor). That film had heart, but assumed that the entirely corrupt govt machinery would take the drastic overhaul lying down. NOTA doesn’t make the same mistake. It works because it sets itself apart from cult hits like Leader and Ramana and the well meaning but predictable Bharat Enum Naan.
The CM in NOTA starts off as a spoilt rich kid thrown suddenly into job that demands a lot of responsibility. While his manners and an interest in politics can be questioned, his intelligence and hubris is established right at the start.
Varun, played by Vijay Deverakonda is a different type of unicorn CM; one that is able to swim when thrown into the deep end, make informed decisions for the state and mobilise the machinery even without understanding the jargon. It is his deep understanding of statecraft and governance that makes him unreal.
Taking a Dig at AIADMK and Jaggi Vasudev
The cronyism of the party, secrecy in the hospital while the CM is admitted, delayed decisions that caused the Chennai floods, MLA’s being hoarded in a resort to ensure a successful no confidence motion, the controversial ashram of Jaggi Vasudev; all these and more find comic mention in the movie. In fact, the chief villain is a fair skinned ‘Swamiji’, who controls the power corridors and pulls strings.
Director Anand Shankar has always been direct with such references and it always works with the audience.
Good Times With Deverakonda
From the surprising success of Pelli Choopulu (2015), to the cult hit Arjun Reddy (2017) to the recent Geetha Govindam (2018), Vijay has been extremely lucky with plot lines and co stars. His top notch performances in each of these films aside, the story and the co-actors he got to work with have been equally brilliant.
In NOTA too, thespians Sathyaraj, Nasser and Bassker simply fill their characters with their unique selves. Sanchana, who plays Vijay’s political rival brings life to an otherwise staid role.
The Downers
With every movie, Anand Shankar ups the production quotient, with slick visuals, lighting and realistic sets. What he fails to eliminate are the occasional cliched dialogues and plot points. “The youth are with me, they are my power,” - such dialogues coming from a young upstart of a CM himself is silly. In fact, the way he mobilises the youth to tackle a situation in the film is impressive in itself, without the stale icing of that dialogue.
There is also the low quality climax of Nasser suddenly growing a conscience and wishing his son well, instead of trying to get him killed. Nasser’s portrayal of an abusive father in Em Magan (2006) was much more nuanced. In Em Magan, while he admits to being the way he is, he also acknowledges that he won’t change overnight and that he will try.
In a film that feels this real, these were the only notes of discord.
Speaking of which, Sam CS’ background score is as impressive as his songs are groan inducing. Thankfully there were only two in the film.
NOTA wins you over with slick story telling, comic AIADMK and Sadhguru references, and the sheer presence of Vijay Deverakonda, who speaks Tamil surprisingly well. While the movie doesn’t hint at it, this story has scope for a sequel!
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