Star Portrait-Dr.Rajasekhar

Dr. Rajasekhar who is well known as Angry Young Man, is a actor in both Telugu and Tamil Languages. He is noted for his "Angry" and “Cop roles” image where most of his characters on screen shows him as Angry Man but in real life also his character is similar to his film roles. He was born on 4th February 1962 in Lakshmipuram, Theni district of Tamil Nadu. His father is Shekar and his mother is Andalu Pillai. He was born and brought up in Chennai. He completed his entire schooling and college in Chennai only.  He is MBBS holder and is a qualified medical practitioner. He married his co-star Jeevitha. The couple has two daughters, Sivani and Sivatmika.  Rajasekhar and his wife entered into politics.  

Film Career

Rajasekhar made his Telugu film acting debut in 1985 with Vande Matharam. It was followed by some more movies like Balarama Krishunulu (1992),Aaveshem (1994), Raja Simham (1995), Maa Aayana Bangaram (1997), and Deergha Sumangali Bhava (1998). During 1990s, he has acted in successful films like “Allaripriyudu”, “Agraham”, “Ankusam”, “Stationmaster”, “Sruthilayalu”, “Shivaiah”, “Magadu” etc. Sudden switch to Romance with “Allari Priyudu” acquired Raja Sekhar a romatic hero image too. He has acted in more than 50 films in Telugu and Tamil languages. His movie “Idthu thaanda police” was a huge hit in Tamil.  He was then offered more movies in Tamil, his is noted in Tamil with films like “Meesaikaran”, “Mannikka Vendugiren”, “Aambala”, “Diyaal”, “Akka” etc. He is considered a versatile Actor as he adds sensibility in characters he plays. Then he faced few flops but delivered a Power pack performance of lifetime in a movie called “Omkaram” which was directed by Upendra. After string of flops he bounced back with remake movies with attracting family audiences like “Ma Ayana Bangaram”, “Suryudu”, “Simha Raasi”, “Ma Annaya”, “Dheerga Sumagali Bhava” and “Gorintaku”. His electrifying performance in movie “Seshu” was applauded critically though movie Flopped. Recent hit of his career is “Avadithe Nakenti” again a powerful Police role. Only because of his versatility he managed to stay in Tollywood Industry for 25years. Rajasekhar's last movie is “Mahankali” which was also big disaster.

Political Career.

Rajasekhar and his wife joined Indian National Congress. Later he quit congress and joined the newly formed party floated by Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy son of former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh in 2010. Later he quit YSR Congress, laying the allegations of an insult made by party working president Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy. Mr and Mrs Rajashekar also joined TDP and NTR-TDP in the past and left the party as they were not respected in any of the political parties. They joined BJP in April 2012. Presently they are in BJP.  

Awards

He received Filmfare Award for Best Actor for the Telugu film “Ankusam” in 1990.

Mahankali review

Release date : 08 March 2013

Rating : 2.5/5

Director : Jeevitha

Producer : Yeluru Surendra Reddy, Parandhama Reddy

Music Director : Chinna

Starring : Dr. Rajasekhar, Madhurima..

 

Dr. Rajasekhar was quite a force to reckon with in the Telugu Film Industry at one point of time. During the late 80′s and early 90′s, Rajasekhar had a number of super hits to his credit and most of them happened to be cop dramas. With ‘Mahankaali’, Rajasekhar tried his hand once again at the tough cop formula. Jeevitha is the director of this movie and Madhurima is the heroine. Chinna has composed the music. Let us see if ‘Mahankaali’ is worth a watch.

Story :

The movie is set in Hyderabad. Harshad Bhai (Pradeep Rawath) is a Dubai based Don who controls the ‘pathabasthi’ with an iron fist with the help of his associates Jayakka (Nalini) and Laddoo. Apart from running various extortion and murder rackets, Harshad Bhai also indulges in acts of terrorism. Another local Don named Nayak Bhai (Venu Gopal) also tries to gain control over Hyderabad by clashing with Harshad Bhai’s gang.

To salvage the deteriorating law and order situation in the city, encounter specialist Mahankaali (Dr. Rajasekhar) is brought in. Mahankaali is a man who believes in instant justice and he sets about eliminating the bad guys.

Just as things seem to be coming under control, the Police Commissioner (Chalapathi Rao) teams up with Harshad Bhai’s gang and implicates Mahankaali in a series of false cases. How does Mahankaali come out? Will he succeed in eliminating the bad guys? That forms the story of ‘Mahankaali’.

Plus Points :

Rajasekhar has given a powerful performance as encounter specialist ‘Mahankaali’. Glimpses of the yesteryear angry young man of films like ‘Ankusam’, ‘Magaadu’ etc can be seen in this perofrmance. Sai Kumar’s dubbing is a big asset for the role.

There are some punch dialogues and powerful emotional sequences that will appeal to masala film lovers and front benchers. Madhurima has also come up with a glamor treat in the film.

Some action episodes have been shot well.

Minus Points :

The story of the movie is a pretty routine affair. There are a lot of similarities to many of the older encounter specialist films like Gopichand’s ‘Golimaar’ etc. The second half of the movie is extremely predictable and boring.

The power and emotion found in the first half is largely missing in the second half. Screenplay goes for a toss and Rajasekhar’s character loses steam completely.

The villains do not have a proper characterization in the film. Their villainism does not reach any emotional peaks and as a result, the required intensity is missing from the story line.

There is zero comedy in the film. Viewers who seek casual entertainment will be disappointed

Technical Aspects :

Jeevitha Rakasekhar has succeeded partially in the first half as a director. But she loses the plot completely in the second half. Editing is ok. Screenplay is bad. Cinematography is just about ok and is in keeping with the film’s budget.

Background score is effective.

Verdict :

Mahankaali is a routine and boring cop saga. A powerful performance from Rajasekhar and some nice moments in the first half are the only plus points. The film may find some support at C center theatres but it is unlikely to find any encouragement from A and B Center viewers.