‘Pottel’ movie review: A heartfelt tale of tradition, education

“Pottel,” directed by Sahit Mothkhuri, created huge impact with its promotional content. The film created buzz from the day of its announcement. Starring Yuva Chandra and Ananya Nagalla, lets see how it fares at box-office.

Story

The story revolves around Gangadhari (Yuva Chandra), a shepherd in the village of GurramGattu, tasked with overseeing the village’s sacred pottel (rim), a symbol of offering to the goddess Balamma. While he is labeled as mentally unstable, Gangadhari is fully aware of the village’s corrupt political game led by Patel (Ajay), who deceives the villagers by claiming to be possessed by the goddess. With the help of Bujjamma (Ananya Nagalla), who later becomes his wife, Gangadhari strives to secure a future for his daughter through education, even as Patel restricts lower-class villagers from accessing this right. When the pottel goes missing, Gangadhari is given an ultimatum—find it or sacrifice his daughter to the goddess. The gripping plot keeps the audience invested as Gangadhari battles against both tradition and deceit to safeguard his daughter’s future.

Performances

Yuva Chandra delivers a grounded and earnest performance as Gangadhari, portraying the character’s inner turmoil with conviction. Ajay shines as the cunning Patel, whose authoritative presence and performance add layers to the village politics. Ananya Nagalla is notable in her deglamorized role, supporting Gangadhari’s struggle with sincerity. Child actor Tanasvi brings innocence and charm to her role, while Srikanth Aiyengar provides a solid supporting act.

Technicalities

Director Sahithoffers an engaging period drama set in the rural heartlands of Telangana during the 1980s. The way he blended tradition, social issues, and personal struggle, delivering a powerful message about the importance of education is appreciable. The film's technical strengths lie in its production design and cinematography, which authentically recreate the rural setting of 1980s Telangana. The attention to detail helps immerse the audience in the time period. The background score complements the film’s tone, though the songs, while fitting, are not particularly memorable. SahitMothkhuri's direction shines in the opening and climax scenes, though the narrative pacing could have been tighter in the middle portions.

Analysis

“Pottel” successfully delivers a socially relevant message about education and caste discrimination. While the story may face a few logical challenges, the emotional core remains intact, and the film’s positive intent is evident throughout. The engaging performances and authentic portrayal of village life make “Pottel” a heartfelt watch that resonates deeply with its audience. On a whole, “Pottel” is a well-meaning film that combines social commentary with strong performances, offering a touching narrative about defiance and hope.