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Movie Review: Mallesham
In the trend of biopics, most of the filmmakers are trying to cash in on the popularity of legendary leaders and actors. But Raj R has made a biopic of a lesser known great man called Chintakindi Mallesam, who has transformed the lives of weavers forever.
What is it about?
Mallesham (Priyadarshi) belongs to a weavers family that couldn’t afford education for him. He takes up weaving as livelihood, but learns that his mother is having chronic shoulder pain because of doing the weaving work. Every weaver woman in his village has same problem and Mallesham decides to find a solution for it. He decides to make an Aasu Machine by hook or the crook. But his lack of education and resources come in the way. Despite many hurdles, Mallesham goes onto achieve his dream.
Performances:
Priyadarshi is perfect as Mallesham. The story doesn’t need a star and Priyadarshi is aptly cast as an ordinary rural youth. He also got the dialect right as he is from Telangana. Ananya is wonderful as his beloved and supporting wife. She is a natural. Jhansi who used to play comedic characters is slowly evolving as a bankable female character actor. Rest of the star cast have done their bit. The actors who played Mallesam’s friends and the actor that essayed Mallesam’s father character are very good.
Technicalities:
Raj R has a terrific story on hand to tell. He has totally banked upon it without adding any gloss or cinematic masala. He made sure to tap into the culture of rural Telangana. He didn’t even compromise on the authenticity of the dialect used, albeit hard to follow at times. He did his best to bring the extraordinary tale of an ordinary man on to the screen, but could have done better especially in the latter half of the movie. Background score is good and camera work is alright given the budget constraints. Dialogues are raw and impressive with pure Telangana dialect.
Thumbs Up:
Admirable Story
Decent First Half
Thumbs Down:
Weak second half
Dull climax
Analysis:
Chintakindi Mallesham’s story is an inspiring tale of dedication and self confidence. A school dropout going on to become an engineer and inventing a machine that has changed the lives of many forever is not an ordinary story. The makers of Mallesham should be lauded for choosing to make this inspiring story into a film. It neither has the commercial appeal nor has the elements that will please the majority of ticket paying public. One should have extreme courage to make an authentic biopic without deviating for commercial purposes.
Mallesham is an honest attempt to tell the story of an lesser known ‘Hero’. The setting is perfect. The story moves at a slow pace, but it takes off beautifully giving an insight into the people and culture of rural Telangana. It shows the plight of weavers, the talented people who doesn’t get paid as much as they deserve. The film is all about the journey of Mallesham, who has succeeded against all odds. First half of the film is neatly packaged and well narrated without any addressable issues, albeit pacing problems here and there.
Second half turns monotonous and largely one-dimensional. The director failed to tap into the research that Mallesham had done to make the machine. There isn’t much information about how he gains knowledge on inventing something given his limitations. Second half fully focuses on how Mallesham has led his life by doing petty jobs before reaching his goal. The biggest problem with Mallesham is its climax, which is hurried and abrupt. There isn’t proper buildup to the final scene and it cuts to the original Mallesham’s speech before it sinks in. Sometimes drama is so essential to elevate such scenes and the director’s casual approach to it leaves us with mixed feelings in the end.
Mallesham is a genuine and honest attempt to celebrate an unsung hero. It is fairly well-made within its limitations, but the second half could have been better to make it a memorable viewing experience for its audience.
Verdict: Extraordinary Tale, Ordinary Execution!
In A Shock To This Hero, Court Cancels 2019 Election
Hero Vishal and his team are trying their best to win the South Indian Artistes’ Association (SIAA) aka the Nadigar Sangam election yet again after winning the 2015 election earlier for a 3 year term. While the election was supposed to be held this Sunday (June 23), the actor received a shock from the Registrar of Societies.
Acting on a petition filed by 62 members of the association, who have claimed that Vishal and Co have created discrepancies in the voter list and suppressed rights of many, Registrar Of Companies has cancelled the election. Now Vishal and Co, are planning to go the Court to demand the election be held.
Looks like with Vishal trying to smear a hate campaign on Sarath Kumar and Co, by releasing videos that speak about their inefficiency to develop Nadigar Sangam, now the brick has fallen strong on Vishal himself. Also, his group is now being blamed for not completing their poll promise of completing the construction of Nadigar Sangam building.
It looks like Nadigar Sangam elections are turning hotter than MAA elections.
Friday Feast: Vijay Devarakonda Wishes All The Three
One of the happening young heroes, Vijay Devarakonda, is there for his buddies just before the release of their films. Guess what, all the three films that are releasing today, two Telugu movies and one Hindi flick, belong to his friends.
His ‘Life Is Beautiful’ movie friend Naveen Polishetty is coming up with ‘Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya’ today, while his actor friend and Pellichoopulu co-star Priyadarshi’s ‘Mallesham’ is also releasing today. In Bollywood, we have Arjun Reddy remake Kabir Singh releasing, which is directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
Talking about them, Vijay stated that his friend Naveen is going to be a winner for the kind of rejections he faced and the dreams he had. Then he appreciated that Priyadarshi has taken up the story of Mallesham which many wouldn’t dare to do it. The Geetha Govindam actor gives immense respect to the whole team. Calling that Sandeep Reddy Vanga is a fireplace of vision and energy, he wished that Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani go places with Kabir Singh.
None from this generation’s sensational heroes often wish their colleagues, but it looks Vijay is a tad different.
Team Trying Hard, But Pawan Not Giving Up
Rather saying anything straight on their face, Pawan Kalyan has shocked many of the directors and producers that are waiting for him by giving clarity to his fans in a meeting that he’s not thinking about films for the next 25 years. And then, there is this team that appeared before the Janasena president.
Reports are coming that some biggies who have supported Janasena including producer Ram Talluri and others, they are now said to be in the process of convincing Pawan Kalyan to come back to films. Though they took his appointments for a couple of days in a row to enlighten him about the need to appear in films again, the actor is yet to give up on his previous decisions.
While Ram Talluri got a couple of stories ready for Pawan, we hear that even Trivikram is ready to direct him again, while Mythri Movie Makers already got some stories and directors in the pipeline. The ‘team’ is said to be asking PK to do some cameos at least, such that his image will stay upright and bright until 2024 elections.
With no own media house and newspaper in hand, surely Pawan has to think about coming to films, isn’t it? Let’s see what happens.
Kajal Waiting For A Big Turning Point
For some senior heroines like Trisha and Shriya, after their careers hit a rough patch, they haven’t seen the high again. But for the ones like Tamanna and Kajal Agarwal, they are quite lucky that they got a couple of chances to bounce back.
Surprisingly, both Tamanna and Kajal have hit a rough patch yet again. While Tamanna has some big films like Sye Raa in hand, Kajal has nothing such. With her last hit film being Nene Raju Nene Mantri, and all the latest releases like MLA, Kavacham and Sita going for a toss at the box office, surely the actress is now in a tight spot.
Except for Sharwanand’s Ranarangam, there are no big films in her hand right now and probably that is the reason why Kajal is spicing up her Instagram feed big way. On the other hand, the senior heroine is waiting for a big turning point, because when everyone wrote her off after Brahmostavam, she just bounced back with Sardar Gabbar Singh and Khaidi No 150.
We have to see how Kajal will take it forward from here now.
Pic Talk: Sujana, CM Ramesh with YSRCP’s Vijaya Sai
It’s not even 24 hours that the MPs of TDP have bid goodbye to the party, now they are showing their real face we mean true colors to the public. In the last five years, TDP MPs and YSRCP firebrand leader Vijaya Sai Reddy had indulged in dialogue war and even crossed their limits on numerous occasions. Now all is well between these MPs.
MPs Sujana Chowdary and CM Ramesh are spotted with YSRCP’s Vijayasai Reddy in the Parliament this morning. Political circles are not surprised by this at all as they claim “There are no permanent friends and enemies in politics.”
But for TDP supporters, it is a hard thing to digest because Vijaya Sai Reddy makes the disgusting comments on the party and chief. This picture also proves that there is a hidden understanding between the BJP and YSRCP.
In the coming days, we might see many of these and just react that “It’s Okay!”
Rumour: This Heroine’s Use And Throw Mentality
There is this particular heroine in Tollywood, who is not literally from here but came to the top pretty tough. And then, her ways of coming to the top are something that is being discussed by Telugu industry folks from the last couple of days.
Apparently, when her career is not getting the needed restart, she started dating a lovely hero, through whom she got many offers. Later she dumped him and used to move closer with a couple of senior heroes. Then suddenly she changed her course and moved to another tinsel town.
Later, after she found out that nothing is working for her again in any other tinsel towns, she’s back here and ticking her previous contacts. Despite the fact that she got another big job in hand, she’s said to be teasing some big heroes here such that offers will come her way.
While offers may come and go, many are wondering why this lady often uses people this way and flaunts that use-and-throw mentality. In reality, after reigning the tinsel towns for a while, she doesn’t need to do that.
TDP to be left with just one MP in RS
The defection of four Rajya Sabha MPs, has reduced the strength of TDP in Rajya Sabha to just two and they are Thota Seetharama Lakshmi and Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar. These two MPs also clarified that they will continue to be in TDP come what may.
However, in another nine odd months, TDP will be left with just one. The tenure of MP Thota Seetharama Lakshmi will end in April 2020 while Kanakamedala’s who got placed in the Upper House, has another five years of time. The BJP can’t influence these two MPs as they are most trusted followers of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu.
It is heard that MP Sujana Chowdary had tried to get Kanakamedala as well but the latter was not impressed joining BJP. Kanakamedala feels that deceiving Chandrababu in these hard times will not go well with people in future.
Kaleshwaram project inauguration: Where Is Harish Rao?
The whole of Telangana is witnessing the inauguration of Kaleshwaram Project. It is reckoned as CM KCR’s dream irrigation project that can cater water to lakhs of acres for agriculture. Unprecedented arrangements are made for the inauguration.
Maharashtra CM and Governor, Telugu states Governor and Andhra Pradesh CM were invited as chief guests. But one person is missing from this event and he is Siddipet MLA Harish Rao. In the last TRS term, Harish was the irrigation minister and he was constantly seen at Kaleshwaram project site and for every 15 days, he used to monitor the works. Accordingly he used to update KCR about it. More than KCR, it’s Harish who worked day and night for this project. Disappointingly, Harish is nowhere seen at the inauguration but where is he now and what is he doing?
As June 21st also happens to be International Yoga Day, Harish took part in a Yoga session held in his constituency. The question is, was Harish invited for Kaleshwaram Project launch or not? TRS party leaders are not opening up regarding this but are celebrating the inauguration.
Last night around Harish Rao took to his Twitter handle and credited CM KCR for implementing the project and got emotional that this project will benefit the farmers on a long run. Just confining to this, Harish did not utter any word. Though many are asking him, Harish confined himself to be quiet.
Exclusive: Charan-Trivikram Film In Pawan’s Production
Like we revelled it already, a ‘Team’ is trying to convince Pawan Kalyan to come back to films. They are pleading him to do at least a cameo in certain films such that his image will double up by 2024. But Pawan is sticking to his old plan it looks like.
Apparently, Pawan Kalyan is said to have asked his good friend and director, Trivikram Srinivas, if he could direct a film for him. Under the banner Pawan Kalyan Creative Works, Trivikram might direct Pawan’s nephew Ram Charan very soon. While Charan will not be saying no to this proposal, how and when he accommodates date is going to be the gamble now.
While Trivikram might wrap his next with Allu Arjun very soon, Ram Charan has to wrap #RRR in order to come together with Trivikram for the first time. If all goes well, the film might get started in 2020 and release in 2021, says a source. And based on the result of this project, Pawan wants to continue his production ventures in the movie industry.
And who knows, he might do a cameo with Charan for the first time in his own production venture.
‘Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya’ Review: New ‘Age’nt Thriller
The director and actors of “Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya” are newcomers yet this movie has generated buzz thanks to its exciting trailer that reminded many of old hits like Chiranjeevi’s “Chantabbayi”.
Has the film lived up to the expectations? Let’s find out.
Story:
Sai Srinivas Athreya (Naveen Polishetty) is a private detective in Nellore. The concept of a private detective or agent is new to this small city and he hardly finds any work. He deals cases with a lady assistant Sneha (Shruti Sharma).
A police officer puts Athreya in a jail for one day as a suspect in a case and in the lockup room, he meets a guy named Maruthi Rao who tells him that his daughter was brutally raped and murdered in Ongole.
Athreya takes up this case. Murders follow, twists and turns take place.
Artistes’ Performances:
Naveen Polishetty had earlier acted in shows made for the web and Youtube. This must have given him enough experience to act natural and casual. Naveen has shown lot of variety in his performance in this very first film as lead actor. He has shown lot of swag and has absolute great dialogue delivery too.
Shruti Sharma as Sneha is neat. All other actors are new comers and are good.
Technical Excellence:
Film is made on a shoestring budget. So, cinematography and production values are bare minimum.
Mark Robin’s background score is the main highlight. He has added the mood with his musical score. Editing is wobbly.
Highlights:
Second half
Humor
Naveen Polishetty
Drawback:
Boring initial sequences
Defies logic
Analysis
“Agent Srinivas Athreya” begins much like Chiranjeevi’s “Chantabbayi”. Naveen Polishetty’s character and his assistant’s roles are designed exactly like Sherlock Holmes and John Watson but this film in the beginning gives impression that it is paying tribute to “Chantabbayi”.
In the first 45-minutes, Naveen Polishetty and Shruti Sharma have indulged in regular bantering which doesn’t engage us. Only after that the film gets to the point and things have turned serious. The real investigation and thrills begin thereafter.
The screenplay is quite gripping post-interval and the final twist in the story is also quite novel. For the first time, we have come to know that some dead bodies are used for a hi-tech scam.
The film begins with the note that it is fictional story based on real incidents and in the final end credits, the newspaper cuttings of this actual scam is also shown. This angle is quite new for a movie story.
As Agent Sai Srinivas, Naveen Polishetty holds the movie from the start to finish with his terrific acting style. He has exhibited various modulations in dialogue delivery so easily.
Even when the film’s pace goes down, Naveen lifts it with his acting. The director has also tried to present the serious novel thrilling point with a dose of humor.
There are lot of references to old Hollywood hits and as well as ‘Chantabbayi’. So, many scenes also remind us of old movies. Some references are used for spoof and humor and some directly for dramatic effect.
We have seen many thrillers but the way this is packaged is very novel. Credit goes to the new director.
The interesting point is that the main scam and case is also interlinked to Agent Athreya’s personal tragedy. This is a clever decision by the writer and director.
There are also many subtle humorous scenes like hero naming his agency as FBI – Fatima Bureau of Investigation and another private detective (pilla agent) from Hasan in Karnataka also establishing similar agency FBI – Friends Bureau of Investigation.
The film’s thrilling points occur in the second half. On the downside, the track of Naveen and Shruti Sharma is unconvincing. Why would a girl agree to be his assistant when he himself is not doing well as investigator? Why would she go with him day and night for petty money?
There is no serious explanation for her being his assistant? Also, one police officer being so mean to him and another one going all out to help is clichéd.
Despite all this, “Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya” makes an interesting watch and introduces a talented actor in the form of Naveen Polishetty.
Bottom-line: Sherlock Holmes Meets Chantabbayi
KCR instigating Jagan against BJP?
Having realised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah are not going to entertain him anymore, Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has taken an aggressive stand against the Bharatiya Janata Party and has been attacking it for the last couple of days.
So far so good. It is his party’s stand and he has to take it in order to ensure that the BJP will not emerge as a strong opposition in Telangana.
But it appears KCR is also trying to drag his Andhra Pradesh counterpart and YSR Congress party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy into the fight with the BJP.
As of now, Jagan has been playing safe in his relationship with the BJP for various reasons; particularly, he needs strong financial support from the Centre to develop the state.
However, KCR appears to be brainwashing Jagan asking him not to succumb to the BJP, as the latter would dominate him in Andhra Pradesh in the long run.
He is learnt to have told the young chief minister that there was no need to approach the Centre for everything but many issues could be resolved through mutual understanding between the two states.
Especially with regard to river water disputes, there is no need to go to the Centre for a solution.
“The centre will cash in on the differences between the two states and keep them in pending for years together. Instead of going to the Centre, we can resolve the disputes through talks,” he reportedly told Jagan.
The Telangana chief minister is also said to have offered to extend huge financial support to Andhra Pradesh through various projects.
By making Jagan to fall in his line, KCR wants to ensure that the BJP does not gain hold in the Telugu states at all.
But if Jagan falls into KCR’s trap and antagonises the BJP, he may have to face deeper troubles in the coming days from Modi and Shah team, says analysts.
