Starring: Prakash Raj, Ramya Krishnan, Brahmanandam, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Shivathmika Rajashekar, Aadarsh Balakrishna, Rahul Sipligunj, Ali Reza, and others
Director: Krishna Vamsi
Producers: Kalipu Madhu, S. Venkat Reddy
Music Director: Ilaiyaraaja
Krishna Vamsi, who took a six-year break from directing, has returned with his latest film, “Rangamarthanda”. Featuring Prakash Raj, Ramya Krishnan, and Brahmanandam in prominent roles. The movie has been released today, and now it’s time to find out how it fares with audiences.
Story: Prakash Raj plays Raghava Rao, a highly accomplished theatre artist who is bestowed with the prestigious title of Rangamarthanda for his remarkable contributions to the field. As Raghava Rao ages, he decides to retire from his profession and divides his wealth between his children, Sri (played by Shivathmika Rajasekhar) and Ranga (portrayed by Aadarsh Balakrishna). Unfortunately, Raghava Rao and his wife Raju Garu (played by Ramya Krishnan) are ill-treated by their children from then on. The rest of the film revolves around the ensuing drama between Rangamarthanda Raghava Rao and his offspring.
Plus Points: Krishna Vamsi made a wise choice by casting Prakash Raj as the lead in Rangamarthanda, and the actor brought his vast experience to the table. His performance in the film is on par with his outstanding act in Kanchivaram, which earned him the National Best Actor Award. It’s hard to imagine any other actor playing the role of Raghava Rao as flawlessly as Prakash Raj did. He showcased his versatility and ensured that his performance will be remembered for a long time.
The emotions portrayed in the movie are phenomenal, particularly in the second half. Director Krishna Vamsi left his mark in this aspect, depicting how theatre artists, who know nothing apart from their profession, display their anger or grief in a heart-wrenching manner. The climax is exceptional, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
Brahmanandam, known for his comedy roles, also displayed his talent in emotional scenes, proving that good comedians are equally adept at portraying deep emotions. Having such a legendary comedian in a role with a wide range of emotions was a huge plus for the film. Ramya Krishnan played her role as a homemaker to perfection, providing strong support to Prakash Raj. Shivathmika Rajasekhar’s natural acting added depth to the proceedings, and Anasuya Bharadwaj, Rahul Sipligunj, and Aadarsh Balakrishna delivered strong performances in their respective roles.
Megastar Chiranjeevi’s voiceover was excellent and helped to portray the struggle that actors go through to entertain their audience. The film touches on many important aspects of everyday life and carries a beautiful and relevant message. From the title cards itself, Chiru’s voiceover kept the audience glued to the screen. Overall, Rangamarthanda is a stunning portrayal of emotions and a must-watch film for all.
Minus Points: Despite the brilliant portrayal of emotions, the story of Rangamarthanda seems reminiscent of older films like Samsaram Oka Chadarangam. While the narrative may be engaging for those unfamiliar with this genre, it can become predictable for those who have seen similar films before.
The first half of the movie moves at a slow pace, and there are a few scenes that drag on for too long. The editing team could have made the film more fast-paced by trimming certain parts. The movie occasionally employs old-fashioned presentation techniques, and there are also some inconsistencies in the narrative.
Verdict: Overall, Rangamarthanda is a decent watch for those interested in the story of a theatre artist. The film’s major strengths lie in the outstanding performances of Prakash Raj and Brahmanandam, as well as the engaging drama of the second half. However, the predictable storyline and slow-paced narration may detract from the overall experience to some degree. Nonetheless, Rangamarthanda is worth considering for its emotional content.
Rating: 3.5/5