Story: For those of you who didn't know, this is a remake of Malayalam Super hit movie with the same name "Classmates". It boasts of a novel story with all ingredients like youthful college scenes, humour and sentiment. But, the high point of the movie is the suspense element interlaced with the story. The story was set-up in a span of 10 years, the first year being the last year of graduation of all the students and other characters involved and the 10th year is the reunion of all those characters, except one, Murali (Sarvanand) who was dead the same day 10 years back. The film begins with a farewell party to a lecturer Chandra Mohan(Kota Srinivasa Rao) whose son was Murali. He invites all the old students who are close to his son Murali when they studies together. The occasion was the 10th death anniversary of Murali. During those nostalgic moments, some look at each other with lot of love and some with guilt and one person with hatred. That very night someone makes a murder attempt on Ravi(Sumanth). From then on the story was told in a flashback and forth. There are two rival gangs in the college. Ravi is the leader of SFI and Satish(Ravi Varma) is the leader of NSU which is the student wing of the political party belonging to Raji's(Sada) father who is an MLA. Raji is arrogant and does not cooperate when Ravi requests everyone to support SFI by boycotting the classes. At one point Ravi saves Raji from a police lathi charge and she falls in love with Ravi knowing that he is already in love with her. Satish who has serious political ambitions wants to cajole Raji to gain political mileage through her father. So he makes a perfect plan which forces Raji to participate in the college election as a candidate of NSU on insistance from her father . Ravi doesn't like Raji to contest against him as everyone knew that they are in love and the situation will make a fool out of him. But Raji has no other choice as her father forces her and she can't dare explain the situation to him. This is the interval point. Two more characters were introduced in the first half. One is a gurkha clad shy girl Razia(Kamalinee Mukherjee) and a sweet boy Murali who is the bridge between the two rival gangs. Everyone loves him and often listens to him when he asks them to stop fighting.

Second half begins with scenes where Satish wants to show Ravi a bad person to Raji. So he plans some things cunningly which puts Raji in some embarrassing situations. These incidents project Ravi as the main culprit. Ravi tries hard to convince Raji that he has nothing to do with what all happened but fails miserably. It leaves a strong hatred impression in Raji's mind towards Ravi and she moves away from him. Then they all come to know a shocking news that Murali was found dead in the generator room. After this incident Ravi leaves the college. Then the movie comes into the current mode. The remaining part of the movie runs racily towards the climax. The last 40 minutes of the movies has highly charged emotional scenes. The suspense is revealed through one of the characters and it forms the crux of the film. To know what is the cause of Murali's death and who and why someone tried to kill Ravi go watch the movie.

Screenplay is good in the first half with a few boring moments. Second half starts off quickly and the tempo goes down suddenly and again picks up in the last 40 mini tues of the movie. One feels that they should have concentrated more on the scripting part with more tight situations. Director Vijay Bhaskar who earlier delivered block busters hits fell short this time. His treatment is just okay. He narrated the story in an old fashioned way. This is the first time for Vijaya Bhaskar without the lucky hand of supremely talented Thrivikram. His talent is seen though in handling the sentimental scenes. Dialogues: Young and budding writer in demand after Bommarillu, Abburi Ravi penned dialogues for this film. He has written a few good lines for the film. One nice dialogue is uttered by Kota Srinivasa Rao. It goes like this, "edo anesindi kada ani serious ga thisukunte godava authundi, saradaki annadi le anukunte gnapakam authundi". Music: All the songs are good and well picturised. Some section of the audience feel the music lacks the punch as they are mostly melodious numbers. A mass song is seriously missing in the album. Background music is very good from beginning to the final credits. Koti did a splendid job when it comes to re-recording, particularly for emotional scenes.

Photography: Photography by Hari Anumolu is good. Lighting schemes used are good, especially for the scenes which were shot in night times. He is successfully in getting the right mood. Most of the time he sticks to the basics which is fine. Editing : Akin Striker Phrased did a first rate job. Especially in the last 40 minutes of the movie where the story moves back and forth revealing bits which were not shown in the original context in the first half to guard the suspense factor.

Artists Performance :

Sumanth : Sumanth, with his new hairdo looked in a very good shape in the movie. He starts off with a sober look and a french beard to match that mood. He does his usual action in the flashback scenes involving college days which includes the regular campus fights, dances and romance. His hard work on his body language reflects clearly on the screen, though he can do away leaving his trademark expressions. The real test for him comes towards the end of the film where a very matured performance is required. It becomes imperative for Sumanth to put in a balanced performance in the highly charged emotional scenes in the climax. And boy he delivers it with aplomb. His costumes are also nice as usual.

Sada : Sada did a fair job. She looks okay in the movie with light colored chudidars and in sarees as well. There is nothing to perform in her role but within the limitations she did fine.

Sarvanand : This boy has got some talent. We saw him a violent youth in Vennela and an innocent boy in Amma Cheppindi. Here again he does a neat job as softnatured calm going student. He has very little screen space which he utilized to the fullest. Good thing for him is the movie ends on him which leaves an impression on audience minds when leaving the theater.

Other actors did a neat job especially Ravi Varma and Kamalinee Mukherjee.

How is the movie?

A proper work on screenplay might have a made this movie a good hit. The story is new but the treatment is not that good. Songs are good and they take the movie forward. Entertainment is so so with Sunil and Siva Reddy doing most of the comic bits. The last 40 minutes of the movie where all the suspense is revealed is reallygood. You can definitely watch it once for the novel story. Special mention is Sumanth must be commended for accepting this kind of role.

Final Verdict:

This movie is targeted mainly at the youth and family audience, thanks to some heart touching scenes. This may not reach the masses. On the whole, Classmates with good promotion, can be taken to a decent hit range. Summer season is an added advantage.