Movie Review: Yatra 2

Director Mahi V. Raghav’s Yatra 2 is based on the political life of YSRCP chief and current Andhra Chief Minister YS Jagan, son of late leader YS Rajasekhar Reddy, the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Yatra which came out during the 2019 elections was a good success. Now, in the backdrop of assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh again, the political audience is also eagerly waiting for Yatra 2. Malayalam megastar Mammootty played the role of YS Rajasekhar Reddy and Kollywood actor Jiiva played the role of CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy. Let’s find out how this movie, released worldwide today, is doing amid huge expectations.

Story:

The movie starts with the late leader Rajasekhar Reddy introducing his son YS Jagan Mohan Reddy as Kadapa parliamentary candidate in the 2009 elections and ends with his 2019 election win and taking oath as CM. This film is the story of Jagan’s political ‘yatra’. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy undertakes the ‘Odarpu Yatra’ for YSR’s promise to the people after his death. What decision did Jagan take against the Congress party at this moment? What lesson did Congress president Sonia Gandhi want to teach Jagan who dared to go against the party? What is Sonia Gandhi’s plan to stop Jagan? On the other hand, what are the conspiracies of Chandrababu? What political events took place in Andhra Pradesh between 2009 and 2019? How did Jaganmohan Reddy overcome all these and become a public leader? These things should be seen in the movie.

Screenplay and Analysis:

The plot of the film has been shown in a very cinematic angle. Since it is a well-known story, it would have been better to pay more attention to the screenplay. It seems that the director has not completely succeeded in opening the film to hook the audience. But, Jagan’s going against the elders of Delhi and the way he has grown politically is impressive. Emotional scenes and dialogues here and there will be liked by YS fans. He showed CM Jagan’s trouble, illegal cases against him, the pain he faced and the hell that his family went through. Mainly the scenes between Mammootty and Jiiva will mesmerise everyone. The fans of YSR and Jagan will definitely like the movie. In addition to that, the fact that the last two or three minutes of Jagan’s Odarpu Yatra and Padayatra are included and shown is a plus point for the movie.

Acting:

Tamil actor Jiiva played the role of Jagan. In times of political adversity, he articulates well, like an experienced politician. Similarly, as YSR, no one can do justice except Mammootty who makes the character memorable, including his walk and his hand wave. Jiiva’s body language is impressive as it looks just like Jagan’s. Ketaki Narayanan as YS Bharti and Suzanne Bernert as Sonia Gandhi looked perfect in this film. Mahesh Manjrekar’s scenes in the role of Chandrababu Naidu, which shows that politics should be opportunistic, are interesting. And the rest of the actors acted within their limits.

Technical Departments:

Mahi V. Raghav, who had impressed with his Yatra movie in 2019, showed his own mark in this one. Technically the film is top-notch. Although the story and content are good, the narrative and the characters seem to be moving slowly, in some places. Dialogues are a big plus point for this movie. Madhie’s cinematography, the film’s production values and the background score provided by music director Santhosh Narayanan gave strength to the scenes in the movie. The visuals of YS Jagan’s oath-taking in the climax are emotional.

Plus Points:

• Jiiva’s acting
• Emotional scenes
• Background score
• Cinematography
• Dialogues

Minus Points:

• A familiar story and screenplay
• A few scenes felt stretched

Punchline: A journey of a son standing up for his father’s ambition. Feast for YSR and Jagan fans.