Lenin Story
Lenin (Akhil Akkineni) is an orphan who grows up in Sriramapuram with his close friend Vasanth (Pramod Panju). Sriramapuram follows strict rules: no bloodshed and no politics. But everything changes when Lenin gets into a clash with the MLA’s men. This leads to a series of conflicts involving Vasanth’s family and their rivals. What causes the clash? What is Lenin’s connection with Bharti(Bhagyashri Borse)? Who is behind the conflict? The answers form the rest of the story.
Lenin Review
Lenin has been directed by Murali Kishor Abburu and looks like a familiar rural revenge drama. The basic story does not offer anything particularly new, but the director makes the screenplay engaging with well-placed twists and character developments, which is one of its greatest strengths.
Lenin starts on a simple note and gradually builds momentum. The twists become more interesting as the story progresses, while the grey shades in several characters add depth. The stretch from the pre-interval to the interval and the final 30 minutes are particularly effective.
There is no denying the fact that Lenin follows a familiar path seen in recent period revenge dramas like Rangasthalam and Pushpa. The rural backdrop, 1990s setting, Draupadi Jathara, and the twists in the second half all feel like episodes seen in films earlier.
Another major drawback is the overcrowded cast. The film introduces several characters but does not spend enough time developing their personalities or emotional journeys. As a result, the audience struggles to form a strong connection with them. The love story suffers from the same problem. Instead of becoming an important emotional thread, it remains a minor track in the larger revenge drama.
Coming to the performances, Akhil Akkineni delivers the biggest surprise. Moving away from his usual lover-boy image, he gets a rugged and intense role. He carries the film with confidence and gives what can easily be called his best performance so far. His work in the climax is especially impressive.
Bhagyashree Borse gets a decent role and performs well. She looks convincing as a village girl, while her chemistry with Akhil works. Shivaji gets a substantial character and delivers a strong performance. Brahmaji gets a different look and character, which helps him move away from his usual template. Sunil, Eswari Rao, Shatru, Getup Srinu, Praveen, and Srinivas Vadlamudi are okay.
Thaman's songs blend reasonably well with the narrative, while his background score stands out during the action sequences and climax. Leon Britto's cinematography gives the film an authentic rural feel. The production values are also impressive.
Lenin is a cleverly made film. Though the story looks familiar, the twists keep you engaged. The film is now streaming on Zee5 and has clocked solid views online, giving Akhil a much-needed breather.
Lenin Verdict
On the whole, Lenin may have a familiar rural backdrop, but its engaging screenplay, action, twists, and Akhil Akkineni's performance make it worth watching.
