Story starts with writer Saradhi (Kishore)
beginning to pen new story/script for publication. He is largely inspired from
the lives of people around and thus evolves seven stories in order:
1. Venkateshwar Rao (Krishnudu) working for a MNC
is worried man unable to find a girl for marriage. As he reaches the age of 30,
finally he finds one.
2. Lisa Smith (Manchu Lakshmi), the famous model
is into her late age with falling demand but could not control the temper and
living standards. Finally, she signs a brand ambassador deal with a new
company. However, fate has something different to offer.
3. Mohan (Naresh) is a divorced NRI returned to
India for meeting his teenage friend Saritha (Aamani) who just lost her
husband. They both begin a new life journey.
4. Ashraf (Abhijeet) running a departmental store
is in love with Haseena (Richa Panai). Her marriage is settled with a Dubai
based guy and Ashraf had to sacrifice.
5. Raghu (Chaitanya Krishna) studying in school
traps Renu (Shamili), daughter of a politician. He records the intimate moments
with Renu in mobile phone for blackmailing. Finally, Raghu is killed and Renu
is married to a cinema producer’s son
.
6. A beggar (Krishneshwar Rao) dreams of buying a
small house put for sale. By the time he accumulates Rs.10 Lakhs, he is no
more.
7. Raghu (Naga Shourya) living in a village is
forcibly married to Gowri (Amitha Rao) at a very small age. They shift to city
and a pregnant Gowri dies delivering a baby girl
.
Finally, the eighth story is of the writer
Saradhi himself as his daughter suffering with early cancer needs Rs.5 Lakhs to
save her life. Did he, then how?
Title itself depicts this as an anthology film
made with several different short films. As such Praveen Sattaru needs to be
appreciated for making a new attempt with life and soul added into each of the
story. In fact, establishing eight distinctive stories and nearly 15 characters
is itself a challenging task for any screen writer and director. Without any
confusion or perplexity, he took the entire first half to introduce the
characters one by one and then set himself a right momentum to increase the
pace of narration in second half which is best part in total movie.
Among the technicalities, a special mention is
needed for Mickey J Meyer’s background score which served as real spirit to
unify the content. The kind of feel good and emotional factor managed by
director is kept intact by Mickey. Then Suresh Raghutu’s cinematography is a
comfy and pleasant eye feast. Dharmendra Kakarala’s editing is smooth taking
the transitions from one story to other without any blockheads. Along with
simple, sweet and superbly heart touching writings of Praveen Sattaru,
production values of Chanakya Booneti and A Working Dream Production are to be
acknowledged.
On performance front, each of the artist oozed
life into the character offered. First of all, Manchu Lakshmi is bold enough to
do a Lisa Smith. She has shown the natural arrogance and self confidence to
fight. Krishnudu is good with innocent looks. Naresh used a different slang to
showcase NRI character shades. Aamani is perfect as a new age widow who braves
to live the life on her own terms. Ashraf is adept while Richa Panai is just
passable. The pairing of Chaitanya Krishna and Shamili is steamy. They both
were coordinating fine. Krishneshwar Rao generated lot of sympathy factor for
his tragic end. Raghu is the funny character of all and spilled some laughs
with typical dialogue delivery. Amitha Rao did not have much to do. Last but
not the least, the talent of Kishore is wasted till date in antagonism and he
is the best of entire lot.
Some movies are made just to fulfill the artistic
urge of a director or writer without worried about commercial result.
Chandamama Kathalu falls into this genre. You find only characters and stories
running with unconnected threads. It’s the magical scripting of Praveen Sattaru
which established a common connection only in climax with bundles of feel good
emotion added. Although stories are narrated on slow pitch with never-hurry
approach instilling some amount of boredom yet it’s the second half and
especially climax which warms your heart.
For commercial, formula loving audience who just
enjoy songs, action and unnecessary drama, this is not your cup of tea. For the
rest of audience who welcome class touch, this is worth a watch once. As there
is nothing so bright for lower class center audience, Chandamama Kathalu cannot
be put under commercial genre.
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Movie Reviews