Varun Tej and Ritika nayak star in Korean Kanakaraju, directed by Merlapaka Gandhi. The film had generated decent buzz right from its announcement, with comedian Satya's promotional campaign adding to the excitement. More importantly, the film was crucial for both Varun Tej and director Merlapaka Gandhi. After a string of underwhelming box-office performances, Varun Tej was banking heavily on this project for a comeback. Although the film released on Friday, premiere shows were held in Hyderabad and several other locations a day earlier, reflecting the makers' confidence in the content. Merlapaka Gandhi succeeds in turning a simple storyline into an engaging entertainer. Varun Tej plays Kanakaraju, a resident of Penukonda in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district. He earns a living by performing traditional wooden devotional performances along with his friends and frequently gets into conflicts with locals, largely because of debts incurred by his father.
The central plot revolves around how the spirit of a Korean gangster enters Kanakaraju's body and the unexpected twists that follow. The director effectively establishes the sequence leading to the Korean gangster's soul possessing the protagonist. Ritika nayak plays a young woman from Penukonda who works at the Kia manufacturing plant. She is learning Korean and dreams of moving to South Korea, even hoping to marry a Korean man if possible. While the romantic track between the lead pair isn't particularly strong, the two meet at a photo studio, where Kanakaraju gradually wins her over. The first half of Korean Kanakaraju is packed with entertainment. The comedy featuring Varun Tej and Satya works exceptionally well, keeping the narrative lively without any dull moments.
The story shifts to South Korea in the second half as the characters attempt to free Kanakaraju from the Korean spirit. The pace slows down from this point, but the film continues to rely on comedy as its primary strength. The video-call sequences involving Satya and Muralidhar Goud stand out and provide several laugh-out-loud moments. However, the climax takes an over-the-top turn, with director Merlapaka Gandhi staging a massive fight involving spirits. While the sequence is intended to be dramatic, it ends up generating laughter among the audience for unintended reasons. Although the first half delivers consistent entertainment, the second half gives the impression that the comedy comes more from the story itself than from the situations.
S. Thaman's background score is one of the film's biggest strengths and significantly enhances the overall experience. Varun Tej impresses with his performance in a role that demands two distinct variations. Satya plays a crucial role in the film's success with his impeccable comic timing, while Ritika nayak also delivers a convincing performance. Overall, Korean Kanakaraju marks a return to the success track for Varun Tej, offering a thoroughly entertaining first half, supported by strong comedy and performances, despite a comparatively weaker second half and an exaggerated climax.
Rating: 3/5