Anji (2004)

Anji: Directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. With Chiranjeevi, Namrata Shirodkar, Tinnu Anand, Nagendra Babu. Orphaned Arjun lives a poor lifestyle in an ashram along with his mentor, known simply as Guruji, and several other younger orphans in a forest region, Shivgiri which is accessible via railway station Buddhir Medi. One day while returning home, he comes to the assistance of Sapna, who has journeyed all the way from North America after hearing of the sudden death of her uncle, Gupta. She has an ancient document in her possession that reveals the location of Shiv Ling, and any one who obtains it with proper prayers will enable the flowing of Akash Ganga, and with a sip of this nectar will attain immortality and invincibility. The Shiv Ling becomes visible to mortals only once every 72 years that too on the occasion of Maha Shiv Ratri. She confides about this document with Arjun and Guruji, Arjun secures the Shiv Ling and entrusts it to Guruji. News about this leaks out and 99-year old billionaire Veerendra Bhatia, who had made a vain attempt 72 years ago, travels to India. When his negotiations with Guruji fail, he manages to abduct several orphans and asks Arjun to retrieve the Shiv Ling. Having no choice in this matter, Arjun does so, and after appropriate prayers on Shiv Poornima, Veerendra sips the nectar, becomes a youth, is now ready to proclaim himself Earth’s emperor, fully aware that there is no power on Earth that can stop him – ever.Finally Arjun defeats Bhatia using his intelligence.

“With the super success of Jagadeka Veerudu Attilokasundari, Chiranjeevi thought he could pull off another feat with a Chandamama story. Well intended thought, but alas doesnu0026#39;t come even close to the former. Probably owing to Sridevi who ensured she got a meal-deal (she was Numero Uno then).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe similarities with Jagadeka Veerudu Attilokasundari are too many including the bunch of orphaned children which our mega-star can go any lengths for. If the former had the magical ring, this time its the sacred Shiva Linga (copied from Temple of Doom… apologies, read that as inspired from Temple of Doom).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIf Temple of Doom made fun at Indians, the Namrata Shirodkar track makes mockery at villagers. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe CGIu0026#39;s are pretty good and guess too much of emphasis laid on it hence the screenplay suffers. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe dances are pretty good – including the one song each from Ramya Krishna and Reema Sen. Namrata Shirodkar has nothing much to offer excepting the flat tummy. Did I forget to mention that the heroine and the villain (Namratha u0026amp; Tinnu Anand) are imported from Bollywood – coincidence in every Chiru movie?u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe climax is an exact copy of The Last Crusade (apologies again, read that as u0026quot;inspiredu0026quot;)..u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAnd now a question for Chiranjeevi fans – arenu0026#39;t you tired watching in every movie the heroine drooling u0026amp; salivating over your mega-star? Please!!! GROW UP!!! u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAnd Chiru – give up your loyalties on the bunch of royal directors. No offences meant, but they had their time. Today the younger generation has much more to offer (Eg. Tagore).”