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DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham, directed by Harish Shankar, is an action-comedy film that was released on June 23, 2017. The movie stars Allu Arjun in the lead role, along with Pooja Hegde as the female protagonist. This commercial entertainer blends action, comedy, and family drama with a typical Telugu cinema flair. The story follows Duvvada Jagannadham (DJ), a Brahmin who leads a dual life – one as a gentle priest and the other as an undercover agent fighting against corruption and crime. Allu Arjun, known for his energetic performances, delivers another high-octane performance in this film. DJ was highly anticipated due to its masala mix of commercial elements, catchy songs, and a hero with a strong personality. In this review, we will discuss the various aspects of the movie, including its strengths and weaknesses, and whether it truly lives up to the hype.
2. Plot Summary
DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham revolves around the titular character, Duvvada Jagannadham (Allu Arjun), a priest in a temple who is known for his disciplined life. However, DJ’s calm and humble personality hides a fierce side as he works secretly for the police department, taking on dangerous missions to fight crime. His mission involves taking down a notorious criminal named Subramanyam (played by Rao Ramesh), who is involved in illegal activities. Along the way, DJ’s life gets complicated when he falls in love with the daughter of a wealthy businessman, Geetha (Pooja Hegde), who is unaware of his undercover identity. The film’s plot alternates between DJ’s two personas: one, a simple priest with strong moral values, and the other, a fearless agent fighting corruption. The movie explores his challenges, both in his professional life and personal life, leading to a thrilling and dramatic climax.
3. What’s Good?
Allu Arjun’s Performance
The main highlight of DJ is undoubtedly Allu Arjun’s performance. He portrays the character of DJ with a lot of energy and style, embodying both the innocent and fierce sides of the character. His comic timing, action sequences, and emotional depth all blend seamlessly, making him the film’s driving force. Allu Arjun’s charisma on-screen ensures that the audience remains engaged throughout the film, whether he’s making the audience laugh in a light-hearted scene or creating suspense in the action sequences. His chemistry with Pooja Hegde also adds a romantic flavor to the movie.
Direction and Screenplay
Harish Shankar, known for his ability to balance commercial elements, does an excellent job in DJ. The film doesn’t shy away from being a typical mass entertainer, with larger-than-life moments, humor, and powerful dialogues that appeal to the masses. Shankar’s direction ensures that the audience stays entertained with his fast-paced storytelling, energetic scenes, and entertaining dialogues. The screenplay is tight, with enough twists and turns to keep the viewers hooked, while also offering a good amount of emotional depth and humor.
Music and Songs
The music of DJ is composed by Devi Sri Prasad, and the album was one of the key elements contributing to the film’s success. Songs like “Seeti Maar” and the title track became instant hits and were well-received by audiences. These energetic tracks, paired with foot-tapping beats, create the perfect atmosphere for the movie’s high-energy scenes. The music complements the movie’s tone, whether it’s during the action sequences or the romantic moments. The background score also adds to the intensity, enhancing the experience of the action scenes.
Cinematography
Cinematography by Ayananka Bose brings a vibrant and lively visual style to DJ. The film is full of colorful frames, stunning visuals, and dramatic action shots. The well-lit shots of the city and picturesque locations elevate the aesthetic appeal of the film. The action sequences are filmed in a way that maximizes their impact, with sharp editing and clever camera angles that bring a sense of excitement and drama to the fight scenes.
4. Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Allu Arjun’s Versatility: His effortless transition between comedic, action, and emotional moments is remarkable. Allu Arjun carries the film with his larger-than-life presence, which is a key strength of the movie.
- Action and Comedy: DJ succeeds in blending action and comedy, a formula that appeals to the mass audience. The fight sequences are intense, and the humor adds a light touch to the film, making it a perfect entertainer for a wide audience.
- Music and Cinematography: The film’s music, composed by Devi Sri Prasad, and the cinematography enhance the overall viewing experience, making the film visually striking and aurally engaging.
Weaknesses
- Predictable Storyline: While the film packs a lot of energy, the storyline is fairly predictable. The premise of the good guy leading a double life and fighting against a villain is nothing new. The film relies heavily on the execution of its mass entertainer elements rather than offering an innovative plot.
- Underdeveloped Supporting Characters: Some supporting characters, especially the antagonist and the romantic lead, feel underdeveloped. While Allu Arjun’s character is well fleshed out, others don’t get as much screen time or depth, making them feel somewhat flat in comparison.
- Over-the-Top Moments: While mass entertainers are known for their larger-than-life moments, there are a few over-the-top scenes that might seem exaggerated or hard to believe, especially for viewers who prefer more realistic cinema.
5. Target Audience
DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham is primarily targeted at fans of mass action films, especially those who enjoy high-energy performances and commercial cinema. Fans of Allu Arjun will definitely enjoy his stellar performance, as will those who appreciate humor and fast-paced action sequences. Families can also enjoy the movie as it offers a good mix of action, comedy, and romance. The film is tailored to those who enjoy a mix of drama, romance, and thrilling action scenes, making it ideal for audiences who enjoy the typical South Indian commercial film formula.
6. Box Office Details
DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham was a commercial success at the box office. The film was made on a budget of approximately ₹60 crore. The movie had a strong opening, with high expectations due to Allu Arjun’s popularity and the mass appeal of the film.
The worldwide box office collection of DJ amounted to around ₹130 crore, making it a profitable venture. Below are the day-wise earnings for the first five days of the film:
- Day 1 (India): ₹18 crore
- Day 2 (India): ₹15 crore
- Day 3 (India): ₹12 crore
- Day 4 (India): ₹10 crore
- Day 5 (India): ₹8 crore
The overseas market, particularly in the USA and the Middle East, contributed significantly to the film’s earnings, with the film performing well in these regions. Despite mixed reviews, the film’s commercial appeal and Allu Arjun’s fan following ensured that DJ was able to sustain its success throughout its run in theatres.
7. Recommendation
DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham is a classic Allu Arjun mass entertainer, filled with action, comedy, and larger-than-life moments. While it offers predictable storytelling and some exaggerated sequences, the film makes up for it with Allu Arjun’s performance, engaging action scenes, and catchy music. If you enjoy high-energy action films with a mix of humor and romance, DJ is definitely worth watching. It’s a complete entertainer that will appeal to those looking for a fun, commercial film experience.
Genres:
Action, Comedy, Crime
Rating:
6.028/10
Cast:
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Allu Arjun | Duvvada Jagannadham (DJ) |
| Pooja Hegde | Pooja |
| Brahmanandam | |
| Tanikella Bharani | DJ’s Father |
| Vennela Kishore | Vignesh |
| Rao Ramesh | Royyala Naidu |
| Murali Sharma | Purushottham |
| Subbaraju | Royyala Naidu’s Son |
| Chandramohan | |
| Posani Krishna Murali | |
| Hari Teja | |
| Prabhakar | |
| Sameer Hasan | |
| Vidyullekha Raman | |
| Sravan Raghavendra |
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