Starring: Aditya Om, Sony Reddy, FM Babai, Santhi Chandra, Rajiv Naik
Director: Adari Murty Sai
Producers: Dr. Satish Kumar Pethakamsetty
Music Director: Satish Kumar
Today, the much-awaited release of the award-winning independent film ‘Dahanam’ has finally hit the big screens. The movie stars the well- known actor Aditya Om, who rose to fame with his role in the Telugu film ‘Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo,’ in the lead role. The film is directed by Adari Murty Sai, who is known for his unique style of storytelling. ‘Dahanam’ has won several accolades at international film festivals, which has created a buzz and heightened anticipation for its theatrical release.
Story:
Dahanam, which hit the screens today, is set in the 1980s and follows the story of Bharadwaj Sastry (Aditya Om), a temple priest. The temple is located in Vaadarevupalli in the Visakhapatnam region and is owned by Bhupathi (Santhi Chandra). Bharadwaj Sastry is a devout follower of Lord Shiva and dedicates his entire life to serving the deity. However, he faces numerous challenges, including a decrease in the temple’s income and a legal battle with Bhupathi to protect the temple’s interests. Despite being a man of great integrity who values Dharma above all else, Bharadwaj Sastry struggles to provide for his family. The film explores how he overcomes these obstacles and manages to navigate the complexities of his life.
Plus Points:
Dahanam tackles multiple social issues, with a focus on untouchability and social inequalities. The film’s storytelling is genuine and the makers deserve appreciation for their attempt to address these important topics. The depiction of caste issues and the exclusion of certain people from temples is well executed in the film’s conclusion.
Furthermore, Dahanam addresses the stubborn beliefs that have been passed down through generations. Aditya Om delivers a subtle and convincing performance as the priest Bharadwaj Sastry, who faces various hardships due to his unwavering devotion to Dharma over financial gain. FM Babai also shines in his role as a person who performs final rites, displaying natural and brilliant acting skills in key scenes.
Other cast members including Sony Reddy, Rajiv Naik, and Santhi Chandra also give commendable performances. The well-written dialogues prompt viewers to reflect on their own beliefs. The execution of Bharadwaj Sastry’s character arc as he comes to realize his mistakes is nicely done, leading to a satisfactory ending for the movie.
Minus Points:
Despite the relevance of the movie’s concept, the narration of Dahanam is slow-paced from beginning to end. It is a film that not everyone may enjoy, as it requires a great deal of patience to appreciate. Moreover, it lacks any commercial elements, making it potentially boring for some audiences.
Furthermore, there are many repetitive scenes in the movie that could have been trimmed. As a film that deals with social inequalities, Dahanam shares similarities with the old Telugu film “1947 Lo Oka Gramam.” However, the latter is more powerful because it portrays social inequalities in a nerve-wracking manner without inhibitions, whereas Dahanam lacks the same punch. The movie’s plain narration hinders the overall feel, and there was room for more drama to improve the impact of the message.
Verdict:
Dahanam is a period drama that delves into the issue of social inequalities and the persistence of certain beliefs in society. While Aditya Om and FM Babai deliver noteworthy performances, the film’s slow pace might deter some viewers. Moreover, the film’s specific subject matter may only appeal to a niche audience. All in all, Dahanam can be considered an average watch for the weekend.
Rating:2.5/5