Love stories on screen have been abundant but only a few have captured our attention and remained in our memories. They have to be arresting enough to captivate the audience and refreshing different in comparison to others. Current, the latest love story in Telugu, fits the bill only in parts. It's got a new pair -- Sushanth and Sneha -- and it's directed by a debutant director Surya Pratap, it's fresh in certain portions but that's about it.
The protagonists are called by their real names in the film, which begins on a typical filmi note. Sushanth sees Sneha in the park. He's just arrived by train with his parents and he strays off to a park hearing a voice. He sees her and naturally it's love at first sight. Later he's happy as she's studying in the same college. He tries to woo her but she's quite a tough nut to crack. So he tries another tack. She gets dreams at night and sees Sushanth in her dreams in her room -- even celebrating her birthday. One day this dream is broken and the secret is let out. She falls in love and asks Sushanth to meet her dad, a judge.
Sushanth is today's youth -- one who lives in the present and is not bothered about his past or future. So he does not even have a career thought out. He just knows he loves Sneha and will love her always. But her dad wants him to have a job and the usual things. So Sushanth walks out. Sneha then tells him that he should take out his love out of her. Sushanth attempts this in various ways and is successful. Sneha is to marry another man. Will she?
The first few minutes of the movie are a little slow and a tad boring, and picks up some steam only later on. The film to some extent portrays today's youth -- their attitude to life and love -- though a bit lopsided. There are time-tested scenes which are plenty and some refreshing ones. But there are some unsavoury scenes like the one with the eunuchs (where Sushanth is drunk) and the one at the brothel.
Story wise, there isn't much to write about. The see-saw pattern of the script leaves way for slight ennui to settle in. The attempt is made to do something out of ordinary but it does not somehow arrest attention. Even the so-called comedy scenes with Brahmanandam at the aero academy do not pack in the desired humour.
Vijay C Kumar does a good job with the camera. The movie has a slick and stylish look. Devisriprasad's music is peppy and in sync with the Gen X. Surya Pratap has ensured the technicalities but is not able to ensure the grip over the story telling.
Sushanth makes an earnest attempt to play the effervescent, blithe young boy of today. He dances and fights well but can do well by working on his emotions a bit more. Sneha Ullal adds a bit of oomph through the songs. The chemistry between the lead pair is just about average -- there's no strong current flowing between them. Tanikella Bharani and Sudha play Sushanth's parents well. Brahmanandam evokes a few laughs.
Current is largely an urban love story. It will have an audience among a certain section of the youth who may identify and relate with Sushanth's happy-go-lucky character. But the Current is not strong enough to pull you in its fold!
Rediff Rating: 
