The hit duo of director Teja and actor Uday Kiron figure again in "Avunnana Kadanna". The familiarity of the plot, however, may belie huge expectations from the film.

The second half of the film, in particular, reminds one strongly of Teja's earlier hit, "Jayam". He should grow up and try to discover new plots instead of relying again and again on the clichéd theme of parental opposition to love.

Uday and Sada try to breathe life into routine characters while baddy Pilla Prasad impresses. Comedian Dharmavarapu Subramanyam is the USP of the film.

Cinematographer-turned-director Teja never looked back after blockbuster "Chitram" and followed it up with a few smashing hits like "Nuvvu Nenu" and "Jayam". He reunites with his discovery Uday hoping to score a hat trick with the young actor but the chances of the contrived tale making it look bleak.

Uday has banked heavily on this love story to revive his sagging career. He even claimed recently that the "delightful songs" of the film could do the trick for him. He should not be too sure. He plays an innocent boy who turns rocky land into a fertile field, but loses his focus after falling in love and is mostly seen in blood-soaked attire before he marries his love.

Talented Sada, who gained instant stardom with debut hit "Jayam", could not find success despite releases like "Pranam". She had been hoping to stage a comeback by playing a village belle. She does her job with ease, but the familiarity of the role restricts its appeal.

Leading composer R.P. Patnaik makes a strong comeback after a two-year break with folk-based numbers, including the soulful "Gudi Gantala".

The story is about Uday, a village boy fond of his dholak, who impresses a feudal lord (Prasad) and gets a rocky piece of land as a gift. Contrary to prophecies of doom, he turns the land into a fertile field with hard work and the help of his friends.

Uday falls in love with Sada without knowing that she is the granddaughter of the dreaded Prasad. The rest of the story is predictable.