Panchathantram Movie Filmy4wap Review
Cast:
- Dr. Brahmanandam
- Swathi Reddy
- Samuthirakani
- Rahul Vijay
- Shivathmika Rajasekhar
- Naresh Agastya
- Divya Sripada
- Vikas
- Aadarsh Balakrishna
- Sri Vidya Maharshi
Crew:
- Director: Harsha Pulipaka
- Producers: Akhilesh Vardhan, Srujan
- Music Directors: Shravan Bharadwaj, Prashanth R Vihari
- Cinematography: Raj K Nalli
- Editor: Garry BH
Overview:
The anthology film Panchathantram, featuring veteran actor Brahmanandam and Swathi Reddy, has generated considerable interest through its promotional campaigns. Directed by Harsha Pulipaka, the movie is now in theaters. Let’s delve into its details.
Plot:
Veda Vyas Murthy (Dr. Brahmanandam), a retired AIR employee, seeks to begin a new chapter as a writer. He enters a storytelling competition where the prize is a publishing contract. Veda Vyas narrates five stories, each themed around one of the five senses.
- The first story centers on hearing, following a frustrated software engineer (Naresh Agastya).
- The second story, focused on taste, explores the journey of a man searching for his ideal partner, featuring Rahul Vijay and Shivathmika Rajasekhar.
- The third story, themed around smell, depicts a retired man (Samuthirakani) who encounters a peculiar odor.
- The fourth story revolves around touch, portraying a struggling married couple (Vikas Muppala and Divya Sripada).
- The final story, focused on sight, tells the tale of a children’s storyteller (Swathi Reddy).
Strengths:
The concept of linking stories to the five senses is creative and intriguing. The dialogues are well-crafted, especially in the second story, where Shivathmika Rajasekhar’s discussion on choosing a life partner is thought-provoking. This narrative suggests that self-awareness is crucial before marriage, an idea conveyed effectively.
Swathi Reddy’s segment with Aadarsh and Utthej is particularly touching, delivering a powerful message about self-confidence amidst challenges. The film contains subtle, well-portrayed emotions and several memorable moments.
Brahmanandam excels as the narrator, showcasing his talent in a serious role. Despite limited screen time, his performance is impactful. The supporting cast, including Swathi Reddy, Rahul Vijay, Shivathmika Rajasekhar, Divya Sripada, and Vikas Muppala, also deliver commendable performances.
Weaknesses:
While the core idea is engaging, the execution sometimes falls short. Some stories remain superficial, lacking the depth to be truly compelling. The film’s pacing is uneven, with certain sequences dragging and causing a loss of engagement. The editing could have been sharper to maintain a tighter narrative.
The movie’s appeal may be limited due to its lack of commercial elements and its niche storytelling approach. Shortening the anthology and enhancing the drama in some stories could have increased its impact.
Technical Aspects:
The music by Shravan Bharadwaj and Prashanth R Vihari is pleasing, with a few standout songs. Raj K Nalli’s cinematography effectively captures the essence of each story. However, the editing, handled by Garry BH, is lacking, contributing to the film’s prolonged feel. The production values are commendable.
Director Harsha Pulipaka’s debut effort shows promise. His concept of using the five senses to tell the stories is interesting, though the execution could have been more engaging. Some stories are well-executed, while others fall short, indicating potential for future projects.
Conclusion:
Overall, Panchathantram will likely resonate with a specific audience segment. Its performances and a few standout stories make a positive impression, but the film’s length and some lackluster segments limit its overall impact. Fans of anthologies might find it worth watching, though it may not appeal to everyone.