Cast- NTR, Mohanbabu, Priyamani, Mamta Mohandas

Story- Vijayendra Prasad

Music- MM Keeravani

Producers- Cherry and Urmila

Director- SS Rajamouli

Near the end of last year, NTR came up with 'Rakhee'. The film turned out to be the kind of hit that he was desperately looking for. He had to follow that one up with another bigger hit in order to strengthen his position at the box office. He also had to do something about his weight. After losing it, there was another dilemma. The audience was used to seeing a plumper version all the time. So, he needed a powerful role to get the new 'avtar' accepted by all.

He found them all in 'Yamadonga'.

NTR is Raja, a small-time thief who is commissioned by a rich man to rob a gown belonging to someone else. Raja does that and just when he is about to get paid, the businessman dies of a sudden cardiac arrest.

This leaves Raja very dejected and he swears at Lord Yama. He couldn't have chosen a worse time because just then Lord Yama (played by Mohanbabu) had a big doubt. He wanted to know what the people on earth thought about him. The first comment He hears is from Raja and He really isn't happy about the rude remarks.

Angered, he orders Chitragupta to kill Raja and bring him to Yamaloka.

Raja dies and is brought to Yama's abode. All hell breaks loose, literally speaking. Raja gets a hold of Yama's weapon and the Lord of Death is now forced to follow his whims and fancies. Raja returns to earth and goes about settling old scores.

Priyamani is Mahi, the daughter of a very rich landlord who falls madly in love with Raja. Mamta Mohandas is the other heroine, who takes care of the glamour element.

This isn't the first time that Rajamouli is working with NTR. The two had already worked together in two of the biggest hits that NTR has had in his career- 'Simhadri' and 'Student No 1'. 'Yamadonga' might not belong to the genre of the previous films. The film still manages to hold attention for its sheer entertainment element. 

If NTR has portrayed his role as a young petty thief, Mohanbabu has come up with a wonderful performance as Lord Yama. Not many are happy with the way Lord Yama is projected as revenge-seeking, egotistic character, but nobody's complaining.

Audience also enjoys the graphic inclusion of late NTR. The scenes are very well done and look almost real. The film's first half is very interesting. That is when most of the story starts to reveal. Though Mohanbabu is the senior actor, NTR has matched his performance scene-by-scene. Priyamani looks her usual self in the role. Mamta Mohandas has attempted a Nellore accent here. She had dubbed for the film herself.

The dialogues are very interesting.

Great entertainer.

Pluses
NTR's performance
Mohanbabu's role as Lord Yama
Interesting first half of the film
Great dialogues

Minuses
Screenplay slackens in the second half                   
A very predictable climax

Cinesouth Says: "Great Entertainer"