Swagatham is a slow and sentimental movie. Something that we expect from Dasaradh, the director, who had earlier given Santhosham starring Nagarjuna and possessing truckloads of sentimental value. Swagatham has touches of Kal Ho Na Ho in the first half, completely based in New York. The second half is again an old story, mostly with the flashback sequence and a hasty end. Not a minute too soon though.

Plot:Sailu lives in New York with her widowed mother and Chiku, her late sister’s son who she brings up as her own. Her former brother-in-law Srikanth is now married to another woman, her part-time job as an event manager is not going great guns and her boutique may close because of loses. KK sets up a textile shop opposite hers and moves in next door. He has a daughter and a past that not everyone knows. Sailu falls in love with him eventually, and the facts unfold.

Performances: Jagapathi Babu does a good job, but somehow he’s wasted in this inspired first half. As a disciplined businessman with obvious obsessive compulsiveness, he is convincing. Bhoomika shares a good chemistry with Jagapathi Babu. Anushka thankfully gets a role where she doesn’t have to look silly and prance around (Don, Okka Magaadu), so she’s okay. Arjun has done his own dubbing, and suits the cameo he plays. Dharmavarapu, MS Narayana, Sharath Babu are cast in roles ‘meant’ for them again. Ravi Babu was better off in Anasuya.

Last Word :Old story. Old bottle. Actually the most touching moment is after the end of the movie, Jagapathi Babu thanks Arjun for taking time and being in the movie and always being there for him ‘Arjuna’. Now that’s touching.