1. idlebrain.com
Telugu Movie review - Josh
Jeevi rating: 2.75/5
Punchline: lacks Josh
Genre: Action
Type: Straight
Banner: Sri Venkateswara Creations
Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Karthika, Prakash Raj, JD Chakri, Sunil, Surya, Brahmanandam, Hema Sreya & Sitara
Music: Sandeep Chowta
Cinematography: Sameer Reddy
Stunts: Vijay
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Story – screenplay - dialogues – direction: Vasu Varma
Producer: Dil Raju
Release date: 5 September 2009
Review
Story 
Satya (Naga Chaitanya) is a student who discontinues his college in Vizag and comes to Hyderabad to stay with his uncle (Sunil). He observes that a small time politician called JD (JD Chakri) manipulates two student gangs in a college to serve his interests. Satya joins the same college and tries to unite students and reform them. The rest of the story is all about why he discontinued his studies in Vizag and joined college in Hyderabad.
Artists Performance
Naga Chaitanya: It's a big challenge to do a character that is underplayed for a debutant like Naga Chaitanya. And Naga Chaitanya passes it with flying colors. He is extremely good in emotional scenes. And he is a very good actor when it comes to scenes that require histrionics. However, he looked little shy in romantic scenes with heroine. He needs to be more casual in general scenes. His voice is good. With better modulation he can deliver any kind of Telugu dialogues efficiently. And he has got the same charming eyes and screen presence like Nagarjuna. If he gets the right scripts with apt commercial elements, he will become a huge star in the days to come. ANR and Nagarjuna are known for having tremendous female following and Naga Chaitanya inherits that legacy now right with his first movie.
Others: Karthika is adequate in the acting department. However, she didn't suit the character. This type character is tailor-made for actresses like Genelia/Asin who have tremendous mischievous screen presence. Dubbing done by Savita Reddy suited the character, but didn't match with the actress (Karthika). Prakash Raj has a relatively small role, but has a vital part to play in the film and he is extremely effective as the principal who brings change in hero's outlook. It's a sleep walk for JD Chakri to play this role and he is extremely casual. Brahmanandam entertains in a limited role. The guy who did the role of a student leader Guna is talented. Sreya D suited the role well. Two cute kids who follow the heroine have performed well. Sunil provides some comic relief. Surya, Hema and Sitara are adequate. All the new cast in the movie could able to bring freshness.
Technical departments
Story - screenplay - directon: The basic story of the movie is about a student's redemption. He does a mistake and he want to redeem himself of that sin by achieving a goal. It looks quite different and noble when we read it on paper. However, the director Vasu Varma failed to come up with right screenplay and interesting subplots. There are certain vital scenes that demand a commendable job. Direction is good in parts. But he fails when it come to connecting the entire story and narrating it convincingly.
The following scenes are good
1. Hero going to the brink of fighting goons, but withdrawing at the last moment (tea stall where he hands over money to the canteen owner instead of fighting goons)
2. Police station incident (realistic with dramatic impact)
3. Speech of hero on the dais in flashback episode
The screenplay glitches
1. Motive: The entire film is based on a 20 minute flashback episode. The flashback should be very powerful enough to give good motivation for hero to do something. Though the flashback episode is alright, it doesn't give enough motivation to hero to rectify the attitude of fellow students. The flashback episode indicates that hero has made a terrible mistake and he needs to rectify it. Treatment for redemption oriented movie story should be different from what director has done in Josh movie.
2. Conflict point: Audiences will follow the story more intently if there is a proper conflict in the movie throughout. Conflict point is missing in this movie because hero and villain have no direct conflict between then. Hero, heroine or hero's friend doesn't get affected by villain in the film. Hence, the required emotion goes missing when hero confronts villain in the final parts of the movie.
3. Scenic order: It would have been more efficient if the film is narrated in a linear format instead of flashback format.
4. Unnecessary scenes: A tight screenplay doesn't allow any scenes that wouldn't make any difference to the movie if they were edited from the movie. For example, there is an eve teasing scene by rowdy students gang which lasts for 2-3 minutes. This scene would have been useful for the movie, if there is another eve teasing scene at a later point of time during which hero shows a remedy. There are a few scenes like these which added to the runtime of the movie.
Other departments: Songs scored by Sandeep Chowta are neat. Title song makes an impact in the theater. Background music and mixing dominates the scenes at times. Cinematography by Sameer Reddy is nice. Dialogues written by Vasu Varma deserves applause (naa mundu nee paina jarchaku (hero to JD) and school paaTalu cheppi pariksha pedutundi, jeevitam pariksha petti paataalu nerputundi. etc). The location of college shot in Amritsir is aesthetic. Fights are good and bike races are shot slickly. Editing should have been crisper as there quite a few unnecessary scenes in the movie.
Analysis: First half of the movie is inadequate. Second half is better. This movie can be made in two ways. One way is to insert commercial elements and make it a masala movie. The other way is to stick to story and stay away from commercial gimmicks. Producer Dil Raju should be commended for sticking to the basics though it is a risky proposition. But films like these need a tight screenplay and gripping narration. The narration and screenplay given by Vasu Varma diluted the main point. Naga Chaitanya proves to be a prospective super star with his debut. All he needs to do is to select right scripts. The fans of Dil Raju will be disappointed with this movie. On a whole Josh movie lacks the much needed Josh. We have to wait and see how people receive it.
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2. telugucinema.com
54:01 AM 
Film: Josh
Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Karthika, J D Chekravarthy, Sunil, Brahmanandam, Rehaman, Prakash Raj, Hema, Surya, Sreya Dhanwantari, and others
Music: Sandeep Chowta
Cinematography: Sameer Reddy
Fights: Vijay, Aman Ghani
Choreography: Raju Sundaram, Shobi
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Art director: Brahma Kadali
Co-Producers: Sirish - Lakshman
Produced by: Dil Raju
Story, screenplay and directed by: Vasu Varma
Released date: Sep 5, 2009
CBFC Rating: U/A
What’s it about!
Satya (Naga Chaitanya) is a student. He discontinues his gradation studies in Vizag and comes to Hydearabad in search of a job. He stays with his uncle (Sunil) in Hyderabad and gets a job in a nursery. He runs into a fight with local college students who are influenced by political mafia leader Durga Rao (J D Chekaravarthy). Satya tries to change the students but fails. Then he joins in the college to cleanse the system. On the other hand, there is Vidya, a teenager, who aspires to go to college but could not as her brother feels college students are rowdies and she would not be safe in college. So she teaches in an elementary school. She meets Satya and love blossoms between them. Main crux of the movie is how Satya changes the students and brings them out the bad influence of Durga Rao.
Analysis
Josh is debut film of Nagarjuna’s son Naga Chaitanya. Like all-star son’s maiden movies, the film has raised gargantuan expectations and created tremendous curiosity. But Josh fails to live up to the expectations as the movie lacks both the novelty factor as well as ‘supposedly commercial elements’. Indeed, there is no josh in the treatment. It is pretty ordinary. A star son’s launch film, either should be made with commercial values or with a unique script. Josh lacks these qualities. The story has a message but the director has failed to tell it in interesting manner. Debutant director Vasu Varma creates false ‘buildup’ for hero’s introduction and makes him behave as if he were hiding something startling secret to blurt out but when he lets out it in the flashback, it doesn’t make any impact.
Only when the hero makes a ‘speech’ on how much burden a student goes through these days, audiences really feel for it. That is the only scene that makes an impact. Rest is just an okay.
Looks like producer Dil Raju is infatuated with ‘message theme’ after the success of Bommarillu. It is understandable if a film has inherent message in it but it would be silly to weave script around a message by forcibly. That is the major fault in this script.
Performances!
Naga Chaitanya has boyish charm. Looks wise, he has qualities to become a good romantic hero like his father if he further focuses on grooming. Although he makes neat debut but he still looks like a ‘boy’. For a debut hero, he has a neat dialogue delivery. He has shown his talent especially in the ‘college speech’ scene. He has to develop in dances and needs to hone acting skills.
Karthika, daughter of erstwhile glam queen Radha, is okay. Her dusky looks might not go well with our audiences who seek gora girls. The irritating factor is Savitha Reddy’s dubbing, her voice is same for all the heroines. It is high time that our filmmakers should stop using her voice for every other actress. Also Karthika’s characterization looks like the extension of Haasini in Bommarillu (Dil Raju’s hangover continues..).
J D Chekravarthy as villain does good job. His is extension of Bhavani’s role in Shiva. Sunil provides some comedy with actress.
Technically, it is Sameer Reddy’s cinematography that catches the eye. His work is neat. Music by Sandeep Chowta is not that good except a melody song (Neeto unte..) and college fun song. Editing is poor at many stretches. Production values are just okay. Debutant director Vasu Varma is letdown by his own shoddy screenplay although he has shown spark in dialogues department. Student groups and nexus between student leaders and political leaders is thing of the past. Yet, the director has chosen this angle. Probably, he has written the plot in his graduation days.
Bottom-line!
Josh is not a right script for a star son like Nag Chaitanya’s launch. It has no novelty nor is the treatment is better. Indeed, Josh lacks josh. It is pretty ordinary and fails to impress. Couple of songs, a fight here or there and Naga Chaitanya’s confident debut are the only positive aspects. If you want to get a glimpse of how Nagarjuna’s son Naga Chaitanya looks like on silver screen, you can buy ticket on that aspect only. On quality aspects, the film fails to impress.
Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by JP
3. Greatandhra.com
Film: Josh
Rating: 3/5
Banner: Sri Venkateswara Movies
Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Karthika, Prakashraj, J D Chekravarthy, Sunil, Brahmanandam, Hema, Surya, Sreya Dhanwantari, Anand and others
Music: Sandeep Chowta
Cinematography: Sameer Reddy
Director: Vasu Varma
Producer: Dil Raju
Released On: 5th Sep 2009
“Naaku mamoolugaa message lu ivvadam ishtam undadhu. Neeku emaina ichchanu anipisthey teesuko”. This is Naga Chaitanya’s dialogue in the movie. And indeed, the movie is message oriented. And as the dialogue suggests the youngsters can take the message if any, from the movie. Let us see how the whole thing went on.
Story:
Satya (Naga Chaitanya) is a young lad in Vizag who suddenly says to his parents that he wants to quit college studies and moves to Hyderabad in search of job. He finds a small job there but witnesses the spoiling students in a college. He tries to change them but in the process he develops tug with a student leader J Durga Rao (JD Chakravarthy). Satya finds no other way than joining in same college as a student to bring change in students, being one among them. Finally has Satya succeeds in that attempt? That forms the climax.
While this is one line, there is a flash back for Satya that makes him take decision to leave studies and move to Hyderabad. And a college Principal (Parakash Raj) happens to be key factor in that aspect. What’s that reason? That forms other line.
And Nitya (Karthika) happens to be a love factor for Satya who works in a school as teacher.
Performances:
Naga Chaitanya: He was given a very underplaying role. Most of the time he was seen without expressions. That gives a wrong impression for audiences that he doesn’t know how to act. His presence on screen as debutant is good. He danced well and fights are also good. From now he needs to focus on his dialogue delivery and expressions.
Karthika: She is just ok. The make up given to her is not good and that made her look very ordinary.
Sunil is ok with his subtle comedy and Prakash Raj performed to his best in his son’s dead body scene. Brahmanandam is very weak in his role and he couldn’t make people laugh even once. Former Miss Femina runner up Shreya Dhanwanthari is also scene in a not so important role.
Technically, the movie scores well with cinematography. Montages chosen for songs are hilarious. ‘Neeto unte inka konnaallu..’ has got lyrical beauty and ‘deerideeridi be ready…’ has haunting rendition.
Director Vasu Varma has dealt well only with his story line and narration but not with star son.
Dialogues:
“College paatam cheppi pareeksha peduthundi. Kaani jeevitham pareeksha petti paatam chebuthundi..gunapaatam” sounds subtle in entire movie.
Highlights And Dim Lights:
Cinematography is good
Costumes are subtle
Make up for heroine is very bad
Brahmanandam gone wasted
Jumps and abrupt cuts in editing
No required voltage in narration
Analysis:
The director seems to be very conscious of what he was making!
The dialogue “Naaku mamoolugaa message lu ivvadam ishtam undadhu. Neeku emaina ichchanu anipisthey teesuko” seems to be director’s line for contemporary youth audience.
It is a general opinion that youngsters don’t relish the messages and lectures. Hence the director has chosen that line. That’s fine up to that. But the elements that strengthen a movie are weak in this. There is no proper romance track, no action elements and no thrilling moments. It goes to be a straight narration with a little flash back episode.
The elements of ‘Shiva’ are used in the film to some extent but there is no comparison to that action-classic.
The movie appeals for teenagers and parents. The movie asks parents to leave sheep-mentality by going along with the herd and forcibly burdening children to get ranks in examination. The movie appeals for students stating that young age is a valuable time to build future but not for making it useless with drug addictions, irresponsibility and ragging.
On a whole, the movie has one and only big attraction- that is Naga Chaitanya, the son of Nagarjuna. And added glory is Dil Raju. Box office collections merely depend on these elements and they are the crowd pulling factors.
4.cinegoers.com
Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Karthika and others.
Banner: Sri Venkateswara Creations.
Cinematography: Sameer Reddy.
Editing: Marthand K. Venkatesh.
Music: Sandeep Chowta.
Presenter: Smt. Anitha.
Co-Producers: Shirish-Laxman.
Producer: Raju.
Story, Screenplay, Dialogues & Director: Vasu Varma.
Release Date: September 05, 2009 
It is difficult to believe that Dil Raju the man with a golden hand and a producer who is blessed with the quality of judging moviegoer's pulse correctly and has delivered so many hit films can actually become instrumental in selecting a story that is clichéd for the launch of Nagarjuna's son. What's even more worse is roping in a director who has messed up the film, he has not only not highlighted one single quality in the hero but disappointed the audiences with a very ordinary approach to direction. There are occasions like this when one misses having a reputed, happening, well-versed director who would add and lend his experience to filmmaking. There could be a chance of such a film misfiring too but then atleast you know he had worked on giving a 'pro-active' image of the hero.
Josh has nothing outstanding or even average to offer, it's a poor debut for all the newcomers. The only dialogue that is sensible is when Prakashraj tells Chaitanya that 'college paatam cheppi pareeksha pedthundi, jeevitham pareeksha petti paatam nerputhundi.' Naga Chaitanya is confined to being shown as serious and his dances and fights are normal.
The film opens with Satya (Naga Chaitanya) quitting studies and wanting to go to Hyderabad. Why he wants to go to Hyderabad is revealed in the second half of the story. The film is boring and doesn't move, if it moves you know what happens next. Dialogues are silly, hardly makes an impact.
Naga Chaitanya might take a while to get a foothold in TFI which is not at all a difficult job but till then Josh will remain as an embarrassing debut for him and also for the heroine. There is absolutely no chemistry between the lead pair and the hero is short by industry standards.
If you are curious to watch the newcomers perform, wait till it comes on your cable TV.
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