BOTTOM LINE
Partly Pleasing
OUR RATING
2.25/5
CENSOR
U/A, 2h 9m
What Is the Film About?
Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi is about Sanjay (Naga Shaurya) and Anupama (Malvika Nair) and their journey together over the years. How they first met, their growth in friendship and later the love. What makes them drift apart and, finally, the end comprises the movie’s plot.
Performances
Naga Shaurya is reliable, as usual, but he is more so when it comes to the Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi kind of genre. The light, breezy romance is his comfort zone, and it’s visible from the first frame. The different stages are also neatly conveyed via changes in stubble. There are a couple of emotional scenes towards the end, which are also okay, but a feeling of improvement lingers in our minds.
Malvika Nair, meanwhile, is made for the part. She goes through the narrative smoothly and with the required intensity. The light-hearted moments and the emotional bits are done with equal ease. She is initially the reason for the connection, and later the pair takes over. Considering everything, it is a winning role for the actress.
Analysis
Srinivas Avasarala directs Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi. It is his third directorial after Oohalu Gusagusa Lade and Jyo Achyutananda.
If one has seen the previous flicks of Srinivas Avasarala, it would be clear more than the stories; it is the writing and screenplay where the director scores. The scenes are relatable, mostly, and the drama is kept natural and organic, sticking to the core plot. We see the same in Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi.
Right from the opening, the director’s mark is visible in writing. The simple and relatable situations in college are made enjoyable as a result. The episodic format helps overcome the lag, but only to an extent.
The success of Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi initially lies in connection with the characters. It is critical for the movie because the narrative runs primarily on them. There are no other known faces around them, at least in the first half.
While the simple moments work, the problem with Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi is the drama. There is a gradual escalation, but they lack depth. It is in tune with the rest of the ‘simpler’ moments, but as the writing lacks a similar impact, the overall effect is missing.
The problem becomes more evident in the movie’s second half compared to the first. The drama is where the conflict lies, and it is here that Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi falters. It leaves one with mixed feelings.
The smaller moments also work in the second half, with the subtle humour firmly in place. But, the bigger dramatic parts fail to provide the required effect. They lack the emotional heft needed to take things to the next level.
Overall, Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi is a simple-looking but difficult-to-execute rom-com featuring limited characters. It works in parts in both halves but fails to leave a mark as a whole due to weak drama and a flat narrative. If you like a slice-of-life drama with a romantic background, try it, but keep the expectations in check.
Performances by Others Actors
Apart from the lead pair of Naga Shaurya and Malavika Nair, there are hardly any known faces. The director himself, Srinivas Avasarala, appears in the second half. He is alright and does well in his style, but that’s it.
Music and Other Departments?
Kalyani Mallik, aka Kalyan Koduri, has been associated with the previous movies of Srinivas Avasarala. The rapport between them shows as the duo has been able to deliver unique and pleasant sounds with a strong sense of nostalgia. However, when it comes to chartbuster appeal helping the film, it fails in that regard. The songs could have been better (concerning the same). The background score is alright.
Sunil Kumar Nama’s cinematography is decent. It reflects the tone and sensibility of the director. Kiran Ganti’s editing, too, is neat, especially the transitions are pretty effective.
Highlights?
Casting
Writing
Simple Relatable Moments
Drawbacks?
Missing Depth
Emotions Are Flat
Weak Conflict, Climax
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, in parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, only if you know what to expect from this director
Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi Movie Review by M9News
Final Report:
Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi’s second half too carries the connect ‘in parts’ with few moments working in its favour. However, it doesn’t hit the desired emotional high. It ends up as a middling fare to those who have set the right expectations based on the movie’s promos or Srinivas Avasarala’s previous work.
First Half Report:
Barring a few intermittent boring parts, Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi manages to engage and develop connect with the lead pair, especially the heroine.
The entire film runs on situations and conversations between two characters, and they are decent. The second half is crucial now to see if things go to the next level or remain decent.
— Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi U.S. premiere started. Stay tuned for the first half report.
Stay tuned for Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi Review from U.S. Premiere.
Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi Cast: Naga Shaurya, Malvika Nair, Srinivas Avasarala, Megha Chowdhury, Ashok Kumar, Abhishek Maharshi, Srividhya, Varanasi Soumya Chalamcharla, Harini Rao, Arjun Prasad & Others.
Producers – T G Vishwa Prasad and Padmaja Dasari
Director – Srinivas Avasarala
Co Producer – Vivek Kuchibhotla
Story – Screenplay – Dialogues – Srinivas Avasarala
Dop – Sunil Kumar Nama
Music – Kalyani Malik
Editor – Kiran Ganti
Art Director – Azmat Ansari(UK), John Murphy(UK), Ramakrishna
