Movie: 35-Chinna Katha Kaadu
Rating: 3/5
Banner: Suresh Productions, S Originals, Waltair Productions
Cast: Nivetha Thomas, Priyadarshi, Vishwadev Rachakonda, Gautami, Bhagyaraj, Krishna Teja, Arun Dev, Abhay, Ananya and others
Music: Vivek Sagar
DOP: Niketh Bommi
Editor: T C Prasanna
Production Designer: Latha Naidu
Presenter: Rana Daggubati
Producers: Srujan Yarabolu, Siddharth Rallapalli
Written and directed by: Nanda Kishore Emani
Release Date: September 6, 2024
Concept-based, small-budget films like "Aay" and "Committee Kurrollu" have made profits in the past few weeks. Against this backdrop, "35-Chinna Katha Kaadu," presented by Rana, has garnered attention.
Let’s explore its strengths and weaknesses.
Story:
Prasad (Vishwadev Rachakonda), who works as a bus conductor, resides in Tirupathi with his wife Saraswati and their two sons. Arun, the older son, not only struggles in mathematics but also consistently receives a score of zero in all of his exams. A new teacher, Chanakya (played by Priyadarshi), demotes the kid from the 6th grade to the 5th grade, resulting in Arun feeling shame and declining to attend school.
Finally, Chanakya consents to instruct him on the condition that Arun achieves a score of 35 in mathematics during the final examinations. How will Saraswati, who did not even clear tenth grade and has chosen to be a homemaker, tackle the task of ensuring her son achieves a score of 35 in mathematics?
Artistes’ Performances:
Nivetha Thomas steals the show with her career-best performance. She fully immerses herself in the character, delivering a terrific portrayal. Her body language and Tirupati slang are spot on.
Vishwadev Rachakonda, previously seen in Pitta Goda, is the perfect choice for the husband’s role. Priyadarshi delivers a solid performance as the teacher.
Krishna Tej, Gautami, and Bhagyaraja all give convincing performances in their supporting roles.
Arun Dev, the child actor, is adorable and delivers a commendable performance.
Technical Excellence:
The film is made on a modest budget, so the cinematographer and music directors have taken on extra responsibilities to elevate it. The camerawork is subtle, and the production design feels realistic.
Vivek Sagar’s background score is particularly effective in key scenes, and the dialogue writing stands out.
Highlights:
Nivetha Thomas’s terrific performance
Emotional moments in the later half
Simplicity
Drawback:
Slow pace
Analysis
"35-Chinna Katha Kaadu" is reminiscent of earlier films, with a simple plot interspersed with emotional moments and natural performances. At first, it seems to follow in the footsteps of Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par, but it gradually develops its own narrative, addressing several important themes. While the early scenes suggest it's a children's film, by the intermission, it becomes clear that it's a standard film with children playing central roles.
The initial sequences focus on a child struggling with math and grappling with the concept of 'zero.' The first half lacks excitement due to an overemphasis on the 'zero' theme, the school setting, and the slow pacing. However, the plot gradually introduces new elements, such as Nivetha’s character, who, after failing the tenth grade, decides to take the exam herself and also becomes her son’s teacher.
The film becomes truly emotional and engaging when Nivetha Thomas’s character rises to the challenge set by Priyadarshi. The standout moments are the ones where she teaches her son math using everyday examples he can easily grasp.
On the downside, the film lacks sufficient humor, and the screenplay follows a predictable path without major twists. Additionally, some aspects defy logic and looks forced. For instance, a teacher may humiliate a child for low marks as Priyadarshi’s character does, but here it looks forced. And can any teacher, private or public, visit a student's home and speak to the mother in the way Priyadarshi’s character does? That's also not convincing.
Overall, 35-Chinna Katha Kaadu is a straightforward film with its heart in the right place. It’s not meant to be viewed through the lens of a typical commercial movie. Despite the slow pacing, the film’s charm and positive message are heartwarming. Though it has some flaws, the excellent performances and simplicity make it a good watch. Commercially, it may or may not do wonders at the box office, but for the efforts and commitment to delivering a decent movie, this film deserves a good score.
Bottom line: Simple and Sweet