Plain but beautiful

Every once in a while Tollywood springs a surprise. Small is beautiful.

It is at least honest.

When a film is released without much fanfare, you know that the expectation levels are low and unexaggerated.

Even a simple fare musters acceptance.

Director Anudeep makes up with honesty what he may be lacking in originality.

The approach is simple and non-pretentious and thus be default refreshing. Get there without too many expectations.

Get out in less than two hours without too much disappointment.

The high point of the film is doubtlessly its plain enduring presentation.

Four losers (Oh! How I hate that expression!) – Banner Raju, Degree Gyani, Build-up Venu and Leader Tippu (Viswadev Rachakonda) – are bosom pals.

No stakes in the system, no dreams to drive. Drifters by socio-economic conditioning.

The entire town is willing and eager to ridicule them.

They, however, bond and stick together and share exclusive chemistry.

Soon they have this desire to make news and be reported in the newspaper.

After examining a few ideas they decide to conduct a local cricket tournament.

In the meanwhile, Tippu runs into Divya (Punarnavi) and falls in love with her.

While she tells him that she hates the idea of romance, she offers her hand in friendship when she notices that Tippu is a genuine person with no pretentions.

The guys now need police permission for the cricket match and get the favour of a local goon.

However, Tippu calls off the tournament when he realises that it is in the memory of Pradeep who is curiously connected in the past to Divya.

The rest of the film is about the past. Why did Pradeep die? What is the connection with Divya? Who is this goon and why the reference to counterfeit currency? Also after being put in custody for cheating the public, the four guys not only see their dreams go sour but also fail to stick together to overcome the challenge.

Soon and without much ado, the truth is spilled and all is well that ends well.

The narrative is simple in style and content and that is also the film’s strength.

The Telangana slang adds a naïve touch to the tale built around Godavarikhani.

Another noteworthy aspect of the film is the cast.

The new ensemble is sincere and the effort seamless and down to earth.

We do not have to put up with super heroes and hot heroines.

Another strength of the film is its melodious music (Kamalakar).

A week after another small movie impressed the viewer here comes a streak of hope. All is not lost, yet.

To see a film like this is to encourage the idea that we need to make small but watchable films.

Watch it and give the industry a thumbs-up.