Lay back in your seat, close your eyes and think of your first memory of watching a movie in theatre. Was it something of glaring big screen or a quick nap or restlessness to get to dinner? Then don't read anymore. I grew up in the second (may be third) generation of explosion of movie in India and lately I realized it has a distinct impact on my worldview. I lived in the world of those characters on the screen for those 2.5 hours and if one watched a movie with me, you know what I am talking about. Here I am giving love back to movie that taught me, everything. Especially, empathy.
Just watched this video of "Ennenno varnalu" from Avunu Valliddaru Ishtapaddaru. What is amazing is how much I remember about the song? Could be partially the TV rights bought by Gemini that made it onscreen almost every weekend or something more aspirational. The head shaking of Kalyani after eating tamarind rice or spitting out pieces of omelette, parrots on the moon, rose in the garden that Ravi Teja taps on with the pen, I remember so well.
The home is one of the key characters in the movie. It has a distinct personality and not seen before attitude in a movie. If that home is a person, I can be sure they would be independent, self-sustained, a bit aloof but warm. May be the personality merges a lot with the female protagonist but still stands apart. Who doesn't want a home like that? Spending huge sums on home decor is a norm now but Vamsi created a fascination for it long ago in me with this comeback movie.
Vamsi heroines might have made me forever loyal to black bindis, not as big but significantly bigger than my contemporaries. Particularly Kalyani with her minimal styling, the cotton sarees complimented by strong demeanor made a significant impact on young ladies of that time.
Well the movie has many iconic elements of Vamsi drama. Eccentric background score that changes abruptly, characters that oppose being sidelined, long and fast monologues and the most important of all flawless slangs. Does he tutor his actors in slang? And the comic relief without use of sex or insults, how did they do it in those days?
I would be remiss if I didn't talk of the music. Chakri has given the range, or enough range for Vamsi's art. Every soundtrack is still remembered and enjoyed, making it a timeless album.
As for the story, um, its not "Chettu kinda pleader" but fresh enough to keep one interested. But the mutual respect between the main characters elevates this simple drama to beyond its time story. There is a similarity of the chemistry to something seen in "Missamma" main characters. That might be going too far, I should say just a little. Rarely in a love story, we see a wilful, working heroine, not in the quest for prince charming and happy to be alone. And more rare would be a hero who admires that instead of looking at his job as taming the shrew. We should celebrate such characters for giving #goals. Thank you Vamsi!
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