Story

Adi (Roshan), the son of Yadagiri, a butcher, is a carefree individual who dreams of making a name for himself as a popular DJ. In the midst of his pursuit, he finds himself captivated by the enchanting Janu (Manasa Chowdary), a girl of wealth and beauty. Janu, an aspiring fashion designer with ambitions of studying abroad, also feels a magnetic pull towards Adi. However, Janu is not one to seek serious relationships or commit to a life of marriage and settling down. In contrast, Adi's love for Janu is genuine and unwavering. "Bubblegum" unravels the tale of Adi and Janu's journey through love, the obstacles they encounter, and their triumph over them.

Analysis

Director Ravikanth Perepu has established himself as a sensible filmmaker, as seen in his films Kshanam and Krishna and His Leela. However, his latest film Bubblegum falls short of expectations. From the weak story and ego-driven conflict to the writing and treatment, Ravikanth misses the mark. The attempt to portray the lead actor as an angry young man falls flat, and the overused poor boy vs rich girl love story lacks freshness and drive. The director tries to emulate the style of Arjun Reddy, with the intense fights and the girl chasing after the boy, but it only evokes a sense of nostalgia. The love story between the lead actors lacks conviction, with the initial scenes lacking energy and making it feel like a typical youth film. The placement of songs in a formulaic manner hinders the storytelling, and the major conflict between the lead pair feels forced. However, as the film reaches the midway point, it does manage to pique some curiosity.

The film takes a nosedive after the intermission. The battle between ego and love, as well as the sudden pursuit of the boy by the girl, come across as forced and fail to engage the audience. The central conflict scene is repetitive, and the scenes surrounding it are equally unimpressive. The character of Joel, Janu's ex-boyfriend, is poorly developed and only serves as a convenient tool for the director to create drama and conflict when needed. The Goa episode is uninteresting and fails to hold one's attention. The rapper portions are reminiscent of Gully Boy, but do little to enhance the film. The pacing drags on, resulting in further boredom for the viewers. The concept of ego interfering with love is not effectively conveyed, and the writing falls short.

Despite these flaws, the only redeeming aspect is the relationship between the boy's father, Yadagairi (Chaitu Jonnalagadda), and his son Adi. Their banter provides some entertainment. Additionally, the romance between the hero and heroine, along with the frequent liplocks, may appeal to a particular section of the youth. However, overall, the film feels like a used and worn-out bubblegum that has lost all its flavor. It is stretched beyond its limits, becoming increasingly bitter with each chew to provide.

Performance

Despite being a newcomer, Roshan Kanakala impresses with his character that is a perfect blend of attitude and arrogance. The female lead, Manasa Chowdary, exudes confidence and beauty. While she shines in romantic scenes, she struggles to convey emotions. Chaitu Jonnalagadda steals the show with his natural and flawless portrayal of a modern-day father, accentuating his character with an old-city charm. Bindu Chandramouli is a perfect fit for the role of the mother, and Harshavardhan and the other actors deliver solid performances. Unfortunately, Viva Harsha's poorly-written side character fails to make an impact. The hero's friends are decent. In terms of performances, there isn't much to highlight in the film.

Plot-wise, the story is predictable and lacks a strong connection with the audience. Writer-director Ravikanth, who also handles the editing, fails to deliver a gripping narrative. The film falters in the middle, but manages to redeem itself towards the end. Sri Charan Pakala's background music and a few songs stand out. Suresh Ragatu's camera work deserves recognition.

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