Starring: Srikanth Gurram, Priyanka Sharma, Avinash Yelandur
Director: Muthyala Meher Deepak
Producer: Srikanth Kandragula
Music Director: Ajay Arasada
Story:
“Tantiram: Tales of Sivakasi Chapter 1” unfolds as a tale narrated by a man named Vijay to his friends during an alcohol-fueled gathering. The story revolves around Baalachandran (Srikanth Gurram), who operates a firecracker manufacturing factory. His deep-rooted aversion to women stems from the early disappearance of his mother. As per his father’s request, Baalachandran reluctantly marries a beautiful woman named Alagini (Priyanka Sharma) but continues to harbor resentment towards her. The narrative takes an intriguing turn when a supernatural entity, a Genie or Jinn, becomes a pivotal force in transforming Baalachandran’s life. The movie explores the enigmatic events that follow and the role of this Genie in shaping Baalachandran’s destiny.
Pros:
The film commences with an engaging start by delving into the mythological story behind Ahalya’s transformation into a stone, setting an intriguing tone.
With just two central characters, Priyanka Sharma and Srikanth Gurram deliver decent performances.
The movie offers visually pleasing cinematography that captivates the audience, and Avinash Yelandur is noteworthy in his brief appearance.
Cons:
“Tantiram: Tales of Sivakasi Chapter 1” reserves most of its content for the upcoming second part, leaving crucial questions unanswered and potentially disappointing viewers.
The film’s thin storyline does not justify its 100-minute duration, resulting in a prolonged and patience-testing experience.
Dividing the story into two parts seems unnecessary, and the first part lacks substantial content. The predictability of the climax twist detracts from the overall experience.
The film’s slow-paced screenplay and lack of thrilling moments are significant drawbacks.
Technical Aspects:
The music by Ajay Arasada is passable, and the background score adds value to the film.
Cinematographer S. Vamsi Srinivas impresses with his visuals, but the editing feels subpar, making the film appear longer than its actual duration.
The production values maintain a neat and commendable standard.
Muthyala Meher Deepak’s choice to explore a fantasy subject is promising, but the decision to split the narrative into two parts may not be in the audience’s best interest.
Verdict:
“Tantiram: Tales of Sivakasi Chapter 1” begins with promise but ultimately evolves into an unengaging fantasy drama. While the performances by Srikanth Gurram and Priyanka Sharma are commendable, the decision to divide the story into two parts proves detrimental to the first installment. With a slow-paced narrative and a lack of thrilling elements, this chapter falls short of expectations and becomes a somewhat tiresome watch.