Geetha Govindam
Geetha Govindam is a 2018 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Parasuram, produced by Bunny Vasu under the banner of GA2 Pictures. The film stars Vijay Devarakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, while Subbaraju, Nithya Menon, Rahul Ramakrishna, and Nagendra Babu play supporting roles. It was released on 15 August 2018 in India and on 14 August 2018 in the US. The film released to positive reviews and was a commercial success.
Plot
Vijay meets Nithya on the road at night, where he is sitting alone and sad. When she asks about him, he tells her his story.During a visit to a temple, Vijay comes to know that the decorations were all done by a girl named Geetha. He discovers that the girl is unmarried and is immediately attracted to her. Before he can pursue her, he comes to know that his sister's engagement is fixed and leaves for his town Kakinada. Coincidentally, Geetha is his co-passenger on the bus, occupying the window seat beside him. While trying to take a selfie with Geetha, who was sleeping, Vijay accidentally kisses her.
He is shocked to find that his sister is engaged to Phaneendra, Geetha's brother. Vijay and Geetha are then paired to invite wedding guests in Hyderabad. Vijay throughout their time together repeatedly apologises for his behaviour, but Geetha doesn't accept his apology. After a mishap involving Vijay's student, Geetha realises his innocence. Therefore, impressed by his actions and how he handled the situation, Geetha slowly falls in love with Vijay.
Then suddenly Phaneendra's grandfather has a heart attack. His grandmother, fearing that her husband might not be alive to see Geetha's marriage, forces everyone to get Geetha married on the same day as Phaneendra. Phaneendra suggests Vijay's name for marriage and Geetha happily accepts. Vijay, however, turns down the proposal, saying he wanted his wife to have him as the only option, not as a choice. Geetha's marriage then gets arranged to another suitor. Later Vijay feeling guilty, confesses to Phaneendra about his encounter with Geetha on the bus and Phaneendra reveals that Geetha had already told him about it. He then goes onto say for Geetha, Vijay was not a choice but the only option. Vijay rushes to Geetha, talks to her and she finally confesses her love for him. That's when the flashback ends and Nithya proceeds to advise him on what to do.
In the middle of the wedding rituals, Vijay mounts the marriage dais and asks Phaneendra to stand. He falls at Phaneendra's feet in front of everyone and decides not to let go until Phaneendra gave in. Through false information fed to Geetha's suitor by one of Vijay's friend which was the fact that all the fuss going on around him was about Vijay and his family having not enough dowry for Vijay's sister's marriage to Phaneedndra. He leaves the dais angrily thinking poor Vijay sadly didn't have enough money and begs him to marry his sister. Vijay begs Phaneendra to marry Geetha to him. Geetha and Phaneendra agree and they marry.
As the credits start rolling Geetha and Vijay are seen to be travelling to Shirdi on a bus, Vijay kisses a sleeping Geetha on the cheek and she slaps him. Shocked, Vijay again begs for her forgiveness, but Geetha lovingly proceeds to kiss him.
Cast
- Vijay Deverakonda as Vijay Govind
- Rashmika Mandanna as Geetha
- Subbaraju as Phaneendra, Geetha's brother
- Mouryani as Sirisha, Govind's sister
- Rahul Ramakrishna as Ramakrishna, Govind's friend
- Vennela Kishore as Kishore, Geetha's bridegroom
- Naga Babu as Govind's father
- Annapoorna as Geetha's grandmother
- Giri Babu as Geetha's grandfather
- Kalyani Natarajan as Neelu's mother and Geetha's MD
- Aneesha Dama as Neelu
- Abhay Bethiganti as Govind's friend
- Ravi Prakash as Ravi, a police officer
- Chitram Seenu as Taxi driver
- Gautam Raju as Police officer
- Duvvasi Mohan as Priest
- Nithya Menon in a special appearance as Nithya
- Anu Emmanuel in a special appearance as Girl in Bus Stop
- Kaveri as Govind's mother
- Prabhas Sreenu in a cameo appearance in the song "What the Life"
Music
The soundtrack album received positive reviews from music listeners and audiences, with the songs "Inkem Inkem", "Yenti Yenti" and "Vachindamma" being praised. The song "What the Life" sung by Vijay Devarakonda, received applause from youngsters, hailing it as "youth anthem". The sneak peek of the song, earlier titled "What the F" which was released before the audio launch, featured behind-the-scenes footage, with choreography by Jani. However, it received backlash due to the objectionable lyrics, prompting the makers to change the title, to "What The Life". The initial video being deleted from YouTube.
Writing for The Times of India, Neetishta Nyayapati stated "The album of ‘Geetha Govindam’ as a whole offers three strong songs and two subpar ones. ‘Inkem Inkem’, ‘Yenti Yenti’ and ‘Vachindamma’ remain our favourites in this album, offering a softness and authenticity the last two numbers of the album don’t. This one’s definitely a worthwhile listen for this weekend." Indiaglitz gave the album 3 out of 5 and stated "'Inkem Inkem' and 'Yenti Yenti' stand apart in the album. Excellent lyrics make it a worthy output. Gopi Sundar fares decently, over all." 123Telugu stated "So much was expected of Geetha Govindam’s album after Inkem Inkem became a rage. Gopi Sundar’s composition of romantic numbers is great, but the other two numbers are just okay. Inkem Inkem, Yenti Yenti, and Vacchindamma are our picks and looks like they are enough to lift the film during its release time." Moviecrow gave 3 out of 5 and summarised "Gopi Sundar regains his mojo partially with Geetha Govindam and Sid Sriram shines with the two brilliant tracks." Milliblog commented "Gopi seems to be finding his mojo in Telugu again." Siddhartha Toleti of Mirchi9 commented "Geetha Govindam is a pleasant and instantly likeable album with one huge blockbuster single. Parasuram continues to maintain his status as a director with good musical taste."
Release
Upon the announcement of the film's title, the makers announced that the film will be scheduled to release on August. Later on mid-May 2018, the makers confirmed the release date as 15 August 2018. The film was premiered on US, on 14 August, a day before the actual release. The film received U/A certificate from the Indian Censor Board. Geetha Govindam fetched, from its theatrical rights.Marketing
The film's first look poster was released on 9 May 2018. Another poster, revealing the release date was unveiled on 23 May 2018. The official teaser of the film was released on 27 June 2018, and crossed more than 3 million views upon release.Reception
Critical reception
Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote "Parasuram avoids the melodramatic tropes. Gopi Sundar's music works beautifully for the narrative, with Sid Sriram's Inkem Inkem Inkem Kaavale growing into a new earworm. The welcome humour through Vennela Kishore, Rahul Ramakrishna and Abhay Betiganti also adds a touch of smartness".The Times of India gave 3.5 out of 5 stars stating "Geetha Govindam has some good humour, fine music and a wonderful lead pair".
The Indian Express gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "What's refreshing about writer-director Parasuram's approach to this romantic-comedy is the way he has handled the leading man".
Hindustan Times gave 3.5 out of 5 stars stating "Geetha Govindam is not about universe conspiring to bring you close to your loved ones, it is about how coincidences can come to bite your behind".
Idlebrain.com gave 3.25 out of 5 stars stating "Geetha Govindam has predictability attached to it. What works for the film are characterizations and performances by lead characters. Writer and director Parasuram writes an engaging screenplay and interesting characterizations. Some of the scenes appear routine, but he makes it up with screenplay".
Great Andhra gave 3.25 out of 5 stars stating "Geetha Govindam is quite old, oft-seen. When the plot is not new, screenplay and actors should do the magic. That is what director Parasuram does with the film".
Firstpost gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "Geetha Govindam, despite its flaws, is a film that gets most things right associated with its genre. It's also a welcome departure for Deverakonda from Arjun Reddy, and proof of the fact that he's no 'one hit wonder' and still has it in him to deliver".
India Today gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "Geetha Govindam does not have an exceptional story that will make you say 'wow' from the word go. It's the same boy-meets-girl-and-how-they-fall-in-love-with-each-other story. But director Parasuram makes Geetha Govindam interesting with his clever writing".
IndiaGlitz gave 3.25 out of 5 stars stating "Geetha Govindam tells an atypical story using a regular format. And it works. Parusuram enlivens the proceedings by infusing comedy at almost every step. Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika elevate the film with their splendid performances".