Matti Kusthi: A Mixed Bag of Entertainment and Social Commentary
Cast:
- Vishnu Vishal
- Aishwarya Lekshmi
- Ajay
- Shatru
- Munishkanth
- Karunas
- Hareesh Peradi
- Redin Kingsley
Director: Chella Ayyavu
Producers: Ravi Teja, Vishnu Vishal
Music Director: Justin Prabhakaran
Cinematography: Richard M Nathan
Editor: Prasanna GK
Overview:
Vishnu Vishal, a familiar face in Telugu cinema, stars in the new film “Matti Kusthi,” co-produced by himself and Ravi Teja. Aishwarya Lekshmi plays the female lead in this movie, which hit theaters today. Here’s a detailed look at how the film fares.
Story:
Veera (Vishnu Vishal) is a wealthy and carefree man from his village who desires to marry a submissive, uneducated woman. Conversely, Keerthi (Aishwarya Lekshmi) is an educated professional wrestler. Keerthi’s parents convince her to marry Veera, causing her to set aside her wrestling aspirations. Post-marriage, Veera asserts his dominance over Keerthi, but he eventually learns the truth about her. The story then follows how Veera’s perspective changes and the subsequent impact on their lives.
Positive Aspects:
Aishwarya Lekshmi stands out with her exceptional portrayal of Keerthi. Her role is central to the narrative, and she delivers a powerful performance, excelling in both action and emotional scenes. Vishnu Vishal’s portrayal of Veera is convincing, especially in comedic scenes with his friends and in moments where he realizes his mistakes. The chemistry between the lead pair is commendable. The film’s first half is engaging, with brisk pacing and entertaining sequences, including the well-executed “Chal Chakkani” song and the climax fight scene.
Negative Aspects:
The second half of the film loses momentum, with a predictable and formulaic storyline. Despite addressing themes like gender equality and female empowerment, the film fails to delve deeply into these issues. The execution lacks originality, and some scenes feel repetitive. Additionally, the characters of Shatru and Ajay are underdeveloped, serving only as typical commercial villains. Certain logical inconsistencies further detract from the film’s impact.
Technical Aspects:
Justin Prabhakaran’s background score enhances several scenes, while Richard M Nathan’s cinematography is effective. However, the editing by Prasanna GK could have been sharper, particularly in the second half. The film boasts high production values.
Direction:
Director Chella Ayyavu delivers a film that entertains in the first half with humor and engaging sequences but falters in the second half with a scattered narrative that fails to adequately address the social themes it introduces. A more focused screenplay could have elevated the film significantly.
Conclusion:
Overall, “Matti Kusthi” offers some enjoyable moments, particularly due to the lead performances and intermittent humor. However, the film’s latter half and its superficial treatment of important issues dilute its overall impact, making it a moderately entertaining watch for the weekend.