Rangamarthanda Review: Krishna Vamsi had the scope to create a film more suited to present times, but he did not take it; great performances by Prakash Raj and Brahmanandam notwithstanding, writes Satya Pamula
If ‘Love your Parents’ is the nobel intent of this movie. It fails to evoke empathy and sympathy for the old characters as they are portrayed adamant, snobbish (though shown as pride), father always seen drinking, and having other vices (lead male characters discuss having many a affairs)!!!
The moot conflict issues of parents and siblings shown in the movie are as old as 50 + years..1972 to be precise drawing inspiration from classic NTR Badipanthlulu!! ..and veteran director Krishna Vamsi inspired by Saas Bahu serials of 90s!! Krishna Vamsi has infact said that it is a remake of popular Marathi play ‘Nata Samrat’ and he has take creative liberties.
It’s a story of a Prakash Raj, a theatre artist, who reached pinnacle position in his profession donning many a character, but how the real life characters (the family) fail him in his life !! .
Like a typical stories in the 70s and 80s once he gets the life achievement gift of Gandapinderam’ (gold anklet) by his fans and people, Prakash Raj announces his retirement and distributes his property between his son and daughter. As it happens often the old couple gets mistreated by their children and daughter-in-law for Prakash Raj’s follies, majorly. As usual son-in-law as is a perfect adorable guy!! The rest of the story is about the drama that unfolds in his real life between him and his children
Prakash Raj gave his best performance ever in this preachy movie along with Brahmanandam!! Brahmanandam didn’t even smile once and made us cry (a rare record in his film career besides Babai Hotel which came in 1992)
Ramya Krishna as Prakash Raj wife was fine, along with Anasuya Bharadwaj, Rahul Sipligunj, and Aadarsh Balakrishna who acted as daughter-in-law, son-in-law and daughter .
Music by Ilayaraaja is silent in most part of the film with little or no back ground score except in songs.
The director seemed confused with creating an engaging story and screenplay and instead concentrated more on creating acting situations for Prakash Raj and Brahmanandam, which come through in scenes like the one where Prakash Raj when on hospital bed requests his dearest friend Brahmanandam to kill him.
The original story has to end this tragic way, so director can’t help. But being a genius Krishna Vamsi should have made some positive corrections to make this work in these times. After all its not a Ramayana or Mahabharata to not make changes!!
Rangamarthanda Review – Trailer
