As the halfway mark approaches in the Telugu film “Family Star,” the audience is presented with a pivotal twist that leaves the protagonist, Govardhan (portrayed by Vijay Deverakonda), in a slow realization of the significant turn of events. His reaction—wide-eyed, shrugging, yet maintaining his swagger—might mirror that of viewers, as they grasp at straws trying to understand the intentions of director Parasuram Petla and co-writer Vasu Varma. This second team-up of Parasuram and Vijay Deverakonda, following “Geetha Govindam,” produces a film that struggles to entertain or engage, despite Mrunal Thakur featuring as the female lead.
The title promises a story about a family’s luminary, and initially, we are introduced to the middle-class world of Govardhan, a man who takes immense pride in carrying his family’s responsibilities. These include frugal measures like spreading dosa batter thinly to economize, and an air of self-respect that allows him to stand up for himself in tough situations, exemplified in the #AiraneVanchalaEnti segment. One anticipates that these small moments will blend into a satisfying family drama.
Despite the build-up, the film raises more questions than answers. Subplots, like Govardhan’s strained relationship with his elder brother, are addressed, but only skin-deep. It doesn’t help that characters aside from Govardhan are scarcely developed, leaving no scope for the audience to connect with the ensemble cast.
The film finds brief moments of levity in the exchanges between Govardhan, his household, and their new tenant, Indu (played by Mrunal Thakur). She poses as a University of Hyderabad student, and her interactions with Govardhan manage to strike a chord. Nonetheless, the romance that unfolds between them never fully matures into an element that the audience can invest in emotionally.
But it’s the narrative arc in the United States that takes the film off the rails, diving headlong into a plot that becomes increasingly unhinged. The reason behind Indu’s decision to study a middle-class man for her thesis, despite being a CEO at a top infrastructure firm, remains murky. The film fails to delve into the complexities of the class differences between Govardhan and Indu, or the dynamics of their relationship. Instead, viewers are presented with a series of disjointed scenes.
Frequently, Govardhan’s inherent aggression is evoked to reinforce Vijay Deverakonda’s persona of a volatile everyman, sometimes bordering on breaking the fourth wall. Insights into middle-class life, corporate recognition, and the trope of the middle-class hero pepper the dialogue but are left without a solid narrative foundation.
Trudging through its 2-hour and 35-minute duration, “Family Star” offers a series of observations on societal themes without any coherent structure to tie them together. Even with Vijay Deverakonda’s undeniable charm and dynamism, the film’s weak script fails to showcase his full acting capabilities. Similarly, Mrunal Thakur’s role lacks nuance, and her on-screen relationship with Govardhan pales in comparison to her previous romantic ventures. The film also includes actors like Divyansha Kaushik, Rohini Hattangadi, and Vasuki in roles that are ultimately forgettable. Comedic talent Vennela Kishore is underutilized, given a part that is decent but fails to leave a lasting impression.
In conclusion, “Family Star” falls disappointingly short of the mark as both a family film and a platform for showcasing the actors’ star qualities. The concept of celebrating the unsung heroes of everyday middle-class families is intriguing but is squandered in a movie that becomes progressively dull and fails to hold the audience’s attention. Those seeking a wholesome family experience at the cinema deserve much more. “Family Star” is currently in theaters, but whether it deserves the spotlight is another question altogether.
