Movie: Sharathulu Varthisthai
Rating: 2/5
Banner: Starlight Studios
Cast: Chaitanya Rao Madadi, Bhoomi Shetty, Nanda Kishore, Santosh Yadav, Deva Raj Palamuru, Padmavathi and others
Dialogues: Peddinti Ashok Kumar
Music: Arun Chiluveru, Prince Henry
DOP: Praveen Vanamali & Shekar Pochampally
Editor: Ch.Vamshi Krishna & Gajjala Rakshith Kumar
Production Designer: Gandhi Nadikudikar
Producers: Srilatha-Nagarjuna Samala, Sharadha - Sreesh Kumar Gunda, Vijaya - Dr. Krishnakanth Chittajallu
Directed by: Akshara
Release Date: March 15, 2024
Chaitanya Rao Madadi became popular for films such as "Keeda Cola," "Annapurna Photo Studio," and the web series "30 Weds 21." His most recent film, "Sharathulu Varthisthai," opened in theaters today.
Let’s find its merits and demerits.
Story:
Chiranjeevi (Chaitanya Rao) is employed as a subordinate staff member in a government office in Karimnagar. He is the sole breadwinner of the family consists of four people, including his mother, brother, and sister. He is in love with Vijayashanti (Bhoomi Shetty).
Despite some initial obstacles, both families reach an agreement for their marriage and Chiru and Vijay tie the knots.
Chiranjeevi’s friends all join in a multi-level marketing scheme with the hope of becoming rich quickly but he scolds them and avoids them whenever they ask him to join their group in the scheme.
One day, he withdraws money from the bank and entrusts his wife with the task of safeguarding it.
Both his wife and his mother decide to participate in the same multi-level marketing program upon discovering that the organization is offering complimentary television and washing machine.
Vijayashanti deposits the funds provided by her husband into this investment scheme. On the following day, the proprietors escape, deceiving the customers. How will this family cope up with this incident?
Artistes’ Performances:
Chaitanya Rao Madadi plays the role of a middle-class guy with all his sincerity. But he doesn’t get scope to act.
Bhoomi Shetty fits the role of a small-town girl. Mostly new actors have played other roles.
Technical Excellence:
Evidently, the film was produced with limited financial resources. The film does not possess any noteworthy technical qualities. The cinematography, production design, and music are of a rudimentary level.
Highlights:
Natural dialogues
Drawback:
Wafer-thin story
Production values
Analysis
"Sharathulu Vartisthayi" (which translates to Conditions Apply) would have been more engaging if it had been executed as a short film rather than a full-length feature film. The film's premise is devoid of strong plot, rendering it inappropriate for a feature-length production. Furthermore, the new director's ability in storytelling is similarly weak.
"Sharathulu Varthisthayi" commences with a quote from Lord Buddha, highlighting that craving is the root cause of all suffering. The narration then clarifies that the film revolves around the lives of those belonging to the lower-middle class.
The primary motif of the film is around the inclination of these individuals from the lower middle-class stratum to be enticed by fraudulent schemes and subsequently deceived. This single statement succinctly encapsulates the entire story. It is hardly surprising that the new filmmaker had difficulty maintaining our interest due to the lack of substance in the plot.
The film takes place in the city of Karimnagar. While it is commendable to portray the lives of ordinary individuals in a naturalistic manner, it is important to ensure that the storytelling is not dull and the pace is not sluggish.
The majority of the film deals with mundane situations on roads and small rooms, lacking any visual aesthetic appeal. While the dialogue is natural but there is no drama in the scenes. The jokes elicit minimal laughter.
A lot of time is wasted due to the protagonist's reluctance to marry his love, as he has not achieved complete financial stability. However, in the subsequent scene, he consents to wed her, and the entire sequence of the hero persuading her father is somewhat tedious.
The director and editor appear to lack discernment in determining where to end the scene and where to continue. Aside from the interval, there is a lack of dramatic elements throughout the plot.
Overall, without any conditions, we can say that "Sharathulu Varthisthayi" lacks both dramatic elements and engaging narrative, resulting in a tedious experience for the audience.
Bottom line: Short Film!