16 days is actually 16 ways to torture the audience with immature treatment, poor and misplaced humour and mediocre performance. It’s not only the hero but the audience too who is eagerly waiting for the 16th Day…

What is it about : Angel (only to herself) an orphan and nomad from the beginning goes around occupying empty houses forcibly (at random) ‘Daaka Daalna’ is her livelihood. (Don’t ask how she has so many credit cards and lends Rs 60,000 to the hero in trouble!). Two gangsters Yadagiri (Kota) and RamiReddy are arch rivals on a killing spree. Kota’s son is gunned down by RamiReddy and Kota takes an oath to finish his rival’s son before the 13th day Karmakaanda. The 16 days begin where the hero pitches in as a lalluram—Gutthi Krishnamoorthy, a graduate who aspires to become Vijay Mallya. He is victimized by the torturous Kota’s gang for not paying rent, on mistaken identity. (The torment scheme deserves a special mention for the gory it glorifies. Tooth being pulled out, heads smashed with glass bottles and frothing spit are just tip of the iceberg) Gutthi runs into Kota and says he has duds around him. He suggests an ant is enough to kill a mighty elephant and all that is needed is brains not brawns (His punch line 80% intelligence and 20% sentiment sounds good). Impressed Kota says kill the enemy’s son before Bikshapati’s 13th day or it will be your last day. Terrified Gutthi scrambles out from the frying pan into fire. 16 days count down begins. Yes he lands at Kota’s rival’s place and blurts out Kota’s plan to him. RamiReddy buries him alive but he escapes and returns home to find this foul-mouthed angel there. A couple of ‘trying to make you laugh’ dialogues follow.

Gutthi’s narrates his horrendous encounters with gangsters to Angel (who calls herself Desi Angeline Jolie or Angel who is always jolly). She now becomes his guardian angel. They get married in a ridiculous and unrealistic background with Dharmavarapu Subramanyam trying to cough up ‘Humour in (police) Uniform’. Gutthi feels elated to have someone care for him. Movie picks up pace here.

Let me leave the last leg. If you still want to watch what happens to Gutthi, to see if he can wield off his timid nature and become a true hero you can watch 16 days—sounds cruel? If you can’t bear the suspense you would! Incidentally ‘Cockroach’ Aravind is best suited as a nincompoop here. As a hapless victim of typical goons he did fairly well.

What is Good: Good story line (but confused plot),Charmee’s naturalness, and Kota’s acting. Picturization and lyrics of Pachchabottu is certainly a big relief compared to the other bizarre songs.

What is bad : Pathetic dubbing quality and not so good screenplays, Charmee’s silly imitation of all heroes, Aravind’s discomfort in romantic and innumerable loopholes are some glaring drawbacks.

Me Thinks : Both Rummy and Bridge are game of cards but there is a world of difference. Very few can play them with same versatility and ease. Not every Assistant Director can become a hero, not every English movie can be a great Telugu remake. If one would like to become Maniratnam through 16 days, it’s too tall a dream. 16 Days first day, first show, certainly left the audience groping in the dark.

Tailpiece: Can’t figure why ‘Saare Jahaan Se Accha’ was there in the sizzling number where hot babes dance for the RamiReddy’s son? Prabhu Solomon has to really brainstorm. Advice to Charmee- from flabs into abs. Aravind is better off as a timid guy.