Yaatra

The film depicts the journey of YS Rajasekhar Reddy's Padayatra that took place in 2003. When a lot of people are planning to be the CM from the party, YSR undertakes a Padayatra to meet the people of the state.

The production values by 70 Mm Entertainment banner are luxurious. We can say that the producers haven't compromised on the quality of the film and invested a decent amount in the film. 

Director Mahi V Raghav will impress the audience with his storytelling skills yet again. The way he narrated the story is not too fast and not too slow.

Yatra story begins somewhere in 2003 when YSR, then Congress legislative party leader, plans for a Padayatra as a last weapon to take on the incumbent TDP, and also to checkmate other contenders (for CM post) within the party. 

Mammootty is very good as YSR, but appeared too subtle for YSR’s actual character. Rao Ramesh as KVP fits the bill, other characters have no much presence. The actress who played YSR’s wife Vijayamma garu role acted well

Yatra is a two-hour documentary which attempts to cater YSRCP’s political needs than being a Rajanna’s biopic.

The story is all about YSR played by Mammootty and how he went on a Padayatra before the historical 2004 elections.

There was a lot of hue and cry when the makers chose Mammootty to play YSR. But boy, he is the heart and soul of the film. The national award winning actor has given one of his best performances and elevates YSR in a emotional manner.

One the whole, Yatra lives up to all the expectations laid upon it. The film is an emotional tribute to YSR and showcases his historical Yatra in a moving and realistic manner. 

Emotional Journey

Sensing all odds against his party, congress leader Dr Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy decides to take pada yatra across the state in a do or die battle.

As we watch, we feel no other actor would have suited other than Mammootty for YSR’s role. Mammootty owns it, he gets the walk, attire, expressions perfectly. He looks as charismatic as YSR was. His performance holds the movie.

Thus the director has focused on positive angle of YSR and has not used this platform to slam TDP and Naidu. He has also not made this film as a pamphlet for YS Jagan’s party.

Mammootty doesn't try to mimic or look like YSR at all. Except for the hand gestures Mammootty does it in his own style but still bring authenticity and makes us believe that he is the Rajasekhar Reddy. 

Director Mahi V. Raghav seems to be an ardent admirer of YSR. He shows him as the dynamic leader who dictated terms to High Command. 

YSR life story has the potential to be made as a complete biopic. However, director Mahi V. Raghav focused only upon the Pada Yatra and the emotions that YSR might have gone through while interacting with people.

Mammootty has done fabulous work in the role of YS Rajasekhara Reddy. He looks absolutely charismatic and powerful. Jagapathi Babu as YS Raja Reddy is nice.

Songs composed by K are good and they go with the flow of the film. He has done fine work in composing background score. Cinematography by Sathyan Sooryan is good. Editing is fine. Production values of 70MM entertainments are good.

Yatra is a film about YSR and his most successful padayatra which made him the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. This film runs only in the name of YSR.

యాత్ర.. ఎమోషనల్ జర్నీ ఆఫ్ వైఎస్సార్

‘యాత్ర’ వైఎస్ రాజశేఖర్ రెడ్డి బయోపిక్ కాదు. ఆయన రాజకీయ జీవితంలో అత్యత కీలకంగా నిలిచిన పాదయాత్ర చుట్టూ నడిచే ఒక ఎమోషనల్ జర్నీ మాత్రమే. కేవలం ఈ యాత్ర చుట్టూ కథ అల్లి సినిమాగా తీయాలనుకోవడం సాహసమే. 

‘యాత్ర’ సినిమాకు అతి పెద్ద ఆకర్షణ మమ్ముట్టినే. ఆయన వైఎస్ పాత్ర చేయడానికి ఒప్పుకోవడంతోనే ఈ సినిమాపై జనాలకు ప్రత్యేక ఆసక్తి కలిగింది. ఇక సినిమాలో వైఎస్ పాత్రలో మమ్ముట్టి ఒదిగిపోయిన తీరుకు హ్యాట్సాఫ్ చెప్పాల్సిందే. 

The emotional foundation to the film though is built rather honestly. The director of the film, Mahi V Raghav, offers a lot of sequences that inform us about Rajasekhar Reddy, the man and not the politician.

The second hour is a major dampener in comparison to all the good that the first hour does. 

The film ends with a footage of YSR's popular speeches, his sudden death in the helicopter crash and his son Y S Jagan taking YSR's aims forward.