'Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali', produced by Benchmark Studios and Mythri Movie Makers, hit the cinemas today. Here is our review of the theatrical release:
Story
Naveen is a commercial filmmaker who is disrespected by many folks for making mindless entertainers. He is awed by Dr Alekhya's gorgeous looks after coming across an old showreel and wants to cast her as the heroine of his upcoming movie. But Alekhya's father is aggressively against the proposal. Alekhya herself is reluctant to act in his movie.
What is at the root of Alekhya's and her parents' disapproval of films and acting? Do they have a tragic backstory? Can she outgrow her past? Can Naveen materialize his purpose of making a film titled 'Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali'?
Performances
'V' had Sudheer Babu in a one-note role. 'Sridevi Soda Center' was worse; it had him do things that just don't suit his age. But the film under review is many shades better in terms of what it expects from him. Beyond this, not much can be said about his performance. Krithi Shetty, thankfully, is not limited to playing a second fiddle. But her acting should have been much, much better. The script surely expected a great deal from her.
Srikanth Iyengar is becoming routine. Kalyani N as Alekhya's mother is so-so. Rahul Ramakrishna, Vennela Kishore, Srinivas Avasarala and others leave no impact at all.
Technical aspects
PG Vinda's visuals were a huge merit of his previous films with Indraganti - 'Ami Thumi' and 'Sammohanam' in the main. But here, his work doesn't shine through the mostly indoor scenes.
Vivek Sagar's 'Kottha Kottha Gaa' is slow but works. 'Aa Merupemito' is good. But his background score is a disappointment.
Analysis
A welcome aspect of this film is that its plot turns are much more than what its trailer had conveyed. Writer-director Mohankrishna Indraganti has always believed in giving his characters a well-rounded arc. This conviction comes to the fore in the climax of 'AAGMC', where a key character goes through a range of emotions silently.
But such beautiful moments are very few and far between. For the most part, the film goes after low-hanging fruit.
The interval reveal sparks a sense of interest about what might happen next for the first time while watching the movie. Till then, the film expects the audience to be in awe of the Sudheer Babu-Krithi Shetty chemistry (which is off-colour anyways).
In the second half, the plot doesn't move an inch for a good amount of screen time. The scenes around Avasarala Srinivas are bland. The parents of the heroine are reduced to being unidimensional.
The climax works solidly. A lot of women are likely to connect with it more than men.
Closing Remarks
This film has got an excellent storyline. As a story, though, it is just not appealing.
