Prasthanam

I have been wanting to write about Prasthanam for quite sometime. I was worried that my enthusiasm for the movie was coloring my perspective but I guess I do have to write. Although the movie released in 2010, I saw it only this year. My brother gave me a copy of the movie way back after the movie was released, but after seeing the first few minutes of the movie, I couldn't go farther, as I was not sure what my reaction would be. I finally saw the complete movie this year and it has been an absolute revelation!

Hamlet has been an inspiration to many, but this is a beautiful adaptation and I did not think Telugu film industry had the wherewithal to actually make a movie like this. Although the screenplay is significantly different from the original play, but the plot remains the same. It has however, been the characterization  of Loknath - step father of Hamlet that has stood out. In India unfortunately, the character that slays the so called villains and romances the girl is called the hero, but to me it was Loknath that was the hero of the movie. His motivations, aspirations, weaknesses, frailties around which the movie centered. It was also the war that was between unconditional love and love tinged by weakness. To me, Mitra, the character played by Sharwanad that was the supporting character. 

The director virtually takes us through the mental map of both Loknath and Mitra. Such powerful characterizations are so rare in Telugu movies. It could also be the power of Sai Kumar's performance that I am still raving about the Loknath character. The dialogues and the delivery are something so rarely seen in the recent past. I have also been watching some of the older Telugu movies like Thotukodallu and Mangalyabalam. I was struck by the relative ease of acting in those movies instead of a preponderance of heavy sighs and dramatic lines and exits although quite a few artistes in the star cast came from a theatrical background. Wonder when the regression in Telugu movies actually took place. 

Coming back to Prasthanam, the other think that struck me was the diction of Sai Kumar. I think we tend to confuse between dialects and diction. Recent heroes in Telugu movies just cannot speak the language properly. Their diction is terrible. It is almost as if they are doing a disservice to the very language and art form that is sustaining their millions and lifestyle.

The only place where the movie disappoints is in the placement of songs. These actually act as speed breakers in the movie. The songs by themselves are beautifully written and composed. But in the context of the movie all barring two - the title song and "Evado Vadu" are irrelevant to the movie. I like the song "Murali Lola" song very well. A beautiful rendition of a mythical tale and in a tradition that we seem to be forgetting. 

All in all a movie I would definitely recommend and would want to re-watch so that I can see all those nuances that I have missed previously.