Saturday, December 6, 2014

Rendu Rellu Naluge (RR4) | Telugu Film


What is a good movie?

The simple answer:

1.       Who is asking?

2.       Who has watched the film with all the attention it demands and been very fair with their opinions in sync with the Culture, other movies that are made|offered and an understanding of how this World works|goes about.

3.       Who we are talking to?

Well, that is not simple.
And there lies the answer.
Nobody can say.

For this viewer:

A good film has to

1.       Be Original. A Vision conceived and executed with all the respect (for the audience) and aplomb that befits the medium.
2.       About *real* people with *real* problems.
3.       Entertain the audience and make them think at the same time.

Let me see how Is where Rendu Rellu Naluge (RR4) fares on these criteria.

1.       It’s definitely Fresh & Original
An individual Tomatometer “Certified Fresh” J

See more @

Just like an individual is (or can be) so unique if they follow their own heart & mind, a film has a very unique take on this Life & World – from it’s creator’s perspective. Often this is compromised for the box office results. These days, more than 100%. Not this film. Doesn’t have to be.

That said, the execution could have been better but is a small film. More like an indie movie.

2.       Real People, Real Problems
Full marks here..!
This is definitely NOT a film that will waste everyone’s time so callously in myth and unable-to-connect child-like  fantasies.

3.       Entertainment
It makes people laugh continuously.
Has a sophisticated sense of humor, wit & charm – especially the dialogues, light romance and beautiful songs.
And throughout, there are several serious themes running along| underneath.
A film that stresses the importance of Family and staying together no matter what, has to be meaningful.

Let me tell you right away, this is an Urban, multiplex Indian|Telugu Cinema. Not one of those films made to satisfy every audience [ Read http://www.academia.edu/569822/The_multiplex_crowd_audience_and_the_genre_film ] A film for everybody often slips into the category of a film for nobody. The regular commercial mass masala films that target the lowest IQ audience as the greatest common factor. Here is another good read -
http://www.ejumpcut.org/archive/jc54.2012/PendakurIndiaMultiplex/2.html

What I'm trying to say is - as the society evolves, we get to watch specialized movies - we can pick and choose the films that are of interest to us [as individuals in the audience] - Variety instead of trying to do a "One Size Fits All" every time - which is almost impossible. I want to call this mode of thinking|System as "Progressive Cinema" (or) a better "Economically Viable Model" (or) such - that contributes towards quality - without sounding elitist. More personal, nuanced. The yearning for something better, new - almost a craving and a ravenous quest. We need "Good Films" - end of the discussion.

That said, RR4 is a “Family Film” with many “naughty bits” for the ones who would get them..!

The story is about the struggles of two young well educated|qualified Telugu guys trying to make it through the legal|immigration system|process that triggers so much of discussions these days – especially in the “Land of the Free” http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-the-gops-symbolic-fight-against-immigration-action/2014/12/02/a0a5d816-7a5b-11e4-9a27-6fdbc612bff8_story.html

Of course, things are seen from the narrow cinematic lens of Indian|Telugu movie – educated populace perspective - from the two male leads'  Indian angle on Immigration – and how it all changes towards the end – after having gone through so much – that is fun, relevant, tumultuous and affecting.

How can this be entertaining? The director Dharma answers this question emphatically with a Storyline that is pretty thoughtfully stitched in a resplendent film with so many unexpected twists and turns very emotionally. There are so many “Slice of life” incidents the audience will immediately connect to.

Apart from the two male leads - It is supposedly a buddy-comedy- bromance - but in actuality, is a romantic emotional drama with two lead pairs –

Shankar & Natasha
Abhi & Sarayu

and the girls do an excellent job as well –

along with great support from rest of the cast – with the following sticking out in our minds:

Bonita – The little girl
Pandey – The Coffee Shop Owner
Charu – The “weird” neighbor
Lawyer Khanna – The Immigration Attorney
Padma – Abhi’s Sister
Abhi’s Brother-in-law [an excellent, biting characterisation]
Qasim – The misleading, unscrupulous guy
Hansie – The strangely riveting  over-the-top villain Gang Leader

-          among many others.

None of these actors are professional actors and this is their first Feature film – including the technicians (who are mainly I.T Workers). But the film doesn’t look that way on screen..!
It is as good as any of the regular indie movies.

Shankar is a natural – switching effortlessly between comedy and serious scenes.

Abhi is your attractive, self-assuring Indian Romantic Hero who can flex a muscle (or) two when needed.

Sarayu is the beautiful, modern, professional Indian girl everybody wants to fall in love with..!

Natasha is the character you don’t see in Indian Films..! You can see her explaining the character much better in her own words here @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-ifJ85DFss
"She is full of surprises".



And all this is beautifully shot by the Cinematographer Srikanth Bujamel, set to lilting songs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuwEsDAy22c  and pretty good BGM by the Composer Srikanth Devarajan.

Overall, it is a very well conceived product that is sure to satisfy the progressive Telugu audience.
I didn’t mean to write this as an all glowing take on the film just to praise – so if I’m to rate the film – would give it 6/10 (or) a generous 6.5/10. You need to watch it to know why so. My negatives – things I didn’t like – go into that remaining 35 to 40% - but see and judge it for yourself.

I liked it a lot..!

No comments:

Post a Comment