There have been some terrific movies adapted from novels. Classics in English like Gone with the Wind and the Lord of the Rings series demonstrated how an excellent novel can be adapted into equally smashing movies. Hindi novels like Suraj ka Satwaan Ghoda and Shakesperean plays MacBeth and Othello have been successfully translated into the big screen. Movies adapted from classical Telugu literature like Kanyasulkam also proved equally adept at the translation from literature to the big screen. However, my personal favourite is Ashta Chamma. Directed by Krishna Mohan Indraganti, this movie is a faithful adaptation of the Oscar Wilde play "The Importance of being Earnest".
Although the movie follows the plot of the Oscar Wilde play to the "T", it also updates the props and the context of the play to modern times. Where the movie adaptation scores is in introducing the various characters and providing the background to the plot. "Colours" Swati plays the role of Lavanya a young girl madly in love with Mahesh Babu. The director was spot on in the characterization of Lavanya. The one scene of young Lavanya in school providing the inspiration for Puri Jagannth punch dialogues in Pokiri is brilliant. Similarly, the insistence of Lavanya to marry a person whose name is Mahesh is perfectly understandable to an ardent fan of Mahesh Babu. I could completely empathize with the character. In fact, the movie has inspired me to insist on this condition in my personal life as well. My life partner will have to change his name to Mahesh if he already has another name.
With this background, the rest of the twists and turns that the movie takes following the plot of the Oscar Wilde play faithfully are understandable and do not seem out of place or ridiculous. In fact the satire on Telugu film industry's "faction" inspired movies to set the background for the double-life of the hero is outstanding. The attention paid to the details especially support characters sets this movie apart from other regular Telugu movies. The chronology of Mahesh Babu movies however does not seem correct and the movie seems to have conveniently forgotten Mahesh Babu duds like Sainikudu. The songs especially the title song is beautiful to listen to. The cinematography could be better. The editing is good except in one of the songs where it is extremely jumpy - quite needlessly so. The supporting cast of Srinivasa Avasarla and the late Bhargavi is very good, with Srinivasa Avasarla standing out heads above the rest of the cast both in terms of height and acting skills.
This movie also continues the tradition of movies like "Guddi" in highlighting the impact that movies and especially popular romantic heroes can have on the lives of young women. The point where this movie differs substantially is in not trying to recommend a cure or sitting judgment on the women's choices but empathize with the character. This ends up as a feminist movie without being preachy or boring.
Although the movie follows the plot of the Oscar Wilde play to the "T", it also updates the props and the context of the play to modern times. Where the movie adaptation scores is in introducing the various characters and providing the background to the plot. "Colours" Swati plays the role of Lavanya a young girl madly in love with Mahesh Babu. The director was spot on in the characterization of Lavanya. The one scene of young Lavanya in school providing the inspiration for Puri Jagannth punch dialogues in Pokiri is brilliant. Similarly, the insistence of Lavanya to marry a person whose name is Mahesh is perfectly understandable to an ardent fan of Mahesh Babu. I could completely empathize with the character. In fact, the movie has inspired me to insist on this condition in my personal life as well. My life partner will have to change his name to Mahesh if he already has another name.
With this background, the rest of the twists and turns that the movie takes following the plot of the Oscar Wilde play faithfully are understandable and do not seem out of place or ridiculous. In fact the satire on Telugu film industry's "faction" inspired movies to set the background for the double-life of the hero is outstanding. The attention paid to the details especially support characters sets this movie apart from other regular Telugu movies. The chronology of Mahesh Babu movies however does not seem correct and the movie seems to have conveniently forgotten Mahesh Babu duds like Sainikudu. The songs especially the title song is beautiful to listen to. The cinematography could be better. The editing is good except in one of the songs where it is extremely jumpy - quite needlessly so. The supporting cast of Srinivasa Avasarla and the late Bhargavi is very good, with Srinivasa Avasarla standing out heads above the rest of the cast both in terms of height and acting skills.
This movie also continues the tradition of movies like "Guddi" in highlighting the impact that movies and especially popular romantic heroes can have on the lives of young women. The point where this movie differs substantially is in not trying to recommend a cure or sitting judgment on the women's choices but empathize with the character. This ends up as a feminist movie without being preachy or boring.
No comments:
Post a Comment