“Sagileti Katha,” a rural drama featuring Ravi Mahadasyam and Vishika Lakshman in lead roles, has quietly hit screens today with minimal promotion. Directed by Rajasekhar Sudmoon and jointly produced by Ashok Mittapally and Deviprasad Balivada, the film is set in the drought-hit village of Sagileru in Rayalaseema. Read on for our review to discover how the movie fares.
Plot Summary:
The narrative unfolds in Sagileru, a village facing drought in Rayalaseema. Village elders, President Chowdappa (Raja Shekhar Aningi) and RMP Dorasami (Ramesh), share a close friendship. Amidst dramatic developments, love blossoms between Chowdappa’s son Kumar (Ravi Mahadasyam) and Dorasami’s daughter Krishna Kumari (Vishika Lakshman). Simultaneously, the villagers plan a Gangalamma fair in the village, leading to unforeseen conflicts in Kumar and Krishna Kumari’s love story. The movie explores the twists and turns in their relationship, intricately connected to the town’s Gangalamma fair.
Highlights:
Director Rajasekhar Sudmoon skillfully crafts an authentic rural Rayalaseema setting with natural characters. Ravi Mahadasyam delivers a commendable performance, complemented by Vishika Lakshman’s impressive and natural portrayal. Supporting actors, including Narasimha Prasad Panthagani and Rajasekhar, contribute effectively. The music by Jaswanth Pasupuleti, particularly the theme song, adds another layer of appeal. Notable scenes, like Chowdappa killing Dorasami in the Gangalamma fair and the climax, leave a lasting impact.
Drawbacks:
Despite its initial promise, the film falls short in narrative development. The slow and uninteresting screenplay, along with certain out-of-place scenes, detracts from the overall story. The interval sequence, despite its elaborate staging, fails to captivate the audience. The director starts well but deviates quickly, introducing repetitive and excessively prolonged scenes. The emotional depth in the hero’s longing for his love lacks resonance, as the character doesn’t evolve beyond mere suffering.
The director overlooks the potential for exploring the pain in love and longing, resulting in a lackluster narrative. The screenplay demands more attention, questioning the significance of emphasizing a villager’s obsession with chicken curry over other potentially interesting characters in the village.
Technical Aspects:
Jaswanth Pasupuleti’s music, especially the first and last songs, impresses, while Sanal Vasudev’s background score enhances crucial scenes. Rajasekhar Sudmoon, handling editing and cinematography, falls short in maintaining narrative interest. The second half could benefit from crisper editing. Sudmoon also misses the opportunity to showcase the natural beauty of rural life. The production values, however, remain decent.
Verdict:
Set in the Rayalaseema milieu, “Sagileti Katha” initially shows promise but ultimately disappoints. Engaging moments featuring the village’s chicken curry craze, natural rural life, and intense drama in the Gangalamma fair provide some interest. However, the film struggles to sustain its appeal and ends up as an underwhelming watch.”