Movie: Kalapuram
Rating: 1.5/5
Banner: Zee Studios and R4 Entertainments
Cast: Satyam Rajesh, Sanchitha Poonacha, Kaashima Rafi, Chitram Seenu, Praveen Yendamuri, Janardhan, Kumar, and others
Music: Mani Sharma
DOP: Prasad G.K
Editor: S.B. Raju Talari
Co-Producer: Rajani Talluri
Written and directed by: Karuna Kumar
Release Date: August 26, 2022
Director Karuna Kumar of “Palasa” and “Sridevi Gaali Soda Center” made this small film with the support of Zee Studios. As the makers pitted their film against mighty “Liger”, it generated a curiosity.
Let’s find out its merits and demerits.
Story:
Rajesh Kumar (Satyam Rajesh) is a struggling assistant director. He has been trying to become a director for many years. His girlfriend is a wannabe actress. When she cheats on him, the frustrated Rajesh Kumar decides to leave Hyderabad and settle in his village.
Out of the blue, an offer comes for him from a wannabe producer, who asks him to make a film with a budget of Rs 1 cr. The condition he lays is that a part of the movie should be filmed in his native village Kalapuram.
After Rajesh Kumar lands in Kalapuram, he comes to know that Hyderabad police took the producer in custody in a cheating case.
On the other hand, Kalapauram police seize Rajesh Kumar’s cash as by-elections are underway. Police order him to stay put there until the end of the election.
How will Rajesh Kumar complete his maiden directorial?
Artistes’ Performances:
Satyam Rajesh gets the chance to play the lead role, but he doesn't own it entirely. He does the job in his usual manner.
Sanchitha Poonacha in the role of a villager who inspires Satyam Rajesh to make a movie has expressive body language. Praveen Yendamuri as Rajesh’s buddy is okay.
Technical Excellence:
The film has music by Mani Sharma but the veteran music composer’s work adds little value. The work of other technicians proves that they are working on a “low budget” film.
Highlights:
The final twist
Drawback:
A farcical story
Lethargic narration
Sloppy editing
Comedy generates no laughs
Analysis
In one scene, Satyam Rajesh and his friend get into their lodge room and prepare to go for bathing. The camera shows little movement, and we get to see the complete act of Satyam Rajesh and his friend removing their clothes and draping their towels for five to six minutes. This is one of many sequences in “Kalapuram” where nothing happens but they continue like a TV serial.
The film’s story itself is a farce. Random scenes are stitched together to narrate this story.
The only redeeming factor is that the final twist makes a little sense after watching the marathon of clueless sequences.
Recently a film called “Cinema Bandi”, premiered on Netflix, won traction with a section of viewers. The film was about villagers trying to make a film in their village with little resources. Borrowing that phrase, we can say this is “Cinema Tondi”. Because much of the proceedings make no sense.
Take another example. Satyam Rajesh and the local musician reach a woman’s house who is famous for her literary skills. He asks her to write songs for the film. This whole episode of the music session is distasteful.
After completing the entire shooting process, Satyam Rajesh feels ashamed to watch his own product as he realized that he made a sloppy film. Then, he declares that if it gets released in theaters, the critics will thrash it. The same goes for this film.
Films like these only work when the writing is foolproof and laced with good humor. “Kalaapuram” lacks them.
Bottom line: Cinema 'Thondi'