Mass

Raghava Lawrence's 2004 Telugu film follows Mass, who grew up an orphan. He is close friends with Adi, his landlord's son; when Adi falls in love with the daughter of a mafia boss the conflict begins. The gang kills Adi and Mass sets out for revenge. The film follows the known template of Telugu action. Lawrence was known as a choreographer, which explains the weight the dance sequences carry; action and dance are cut to the same rhythm. Nagarjuna leads, working in an action register particular to this stretch of his career. The narrative logic is loose; the friendship is established in the first half and the second is given entirely to revenge. Jyothika takes the woman's role. Who it's for: those who like 2000s Telugu action cinema. Who it's not for: viewers looking for a coherent story; the film takes little interest in connecting its scenes.