" The Family Star," the latest Telugu offering from director Parasuram Petla, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Mrunal Thakur, aims to capture the essence of middle-class life while sprinkling in some star power. However, despite its promising premise, the film fails to deliver on both fronts, leaving audiences wanting more.
The story follows Govardhan (Vijay Deverakonda), a middle-class man who takes great pride in shouldering the responsibilities of his large family. From carefully budgeting household expenses to flexing his muscles when needed, Govardhan epitomizes the everyday hero. His interactions with his family, particularly his new tenant Indu (Mrunal Thakur), inject some initial fun into the narrative, but the romance between them lacks depth and fails to spark genuine interest.
As the plot unfolds and shifts to the US, the film loses its way, veering into a chaotic territory where logic takes a backseat. The dynamics between Govardhan and Indu, with their differing backgrounds and aspirations, are poorly explored, leaving gaping holes in the storyline. Despite occasional glimpses of Govardhan's underlying aggression, the film struggles to maintain coherence, relying heavily on Vijay Deverakonda's charm to carry it through.
Throughout its lengthy runtime, "Family Star" attempts to delve into themes of middle-class struggles, corporate recognition, and the concept of everyday heroes. However, these themes remain disjointed and lack a cohesive narrative to tie them together. Despite the best efforts of the talented cast, including Vijay Deverakonda and Mrunal Thakur, the film falls short of its potential.
Ultimately, "The Family Star" fails to live up to its promise of being a heartfelt ode to the middle-class superstar. Instead, it becomes a tedious and forgettable affair, testing the patience of its audience. While the idea of celebrating the unsung heroes of middle-class families is noble, the execution leaves much to be desired. Audiences, especially families, deserve better entertainment than what "Family Star" has to offer.