BOTTOM LINE
A Passable Family Entertainer.
OUR RATING
2.75/5
CENSOR
U/A
What is the film about?
Shatamanam Bhavati is a film about family values. What we are missing in the busy day to day life and why they are important is what the film is all about.
How is Sharwanand Myneni’s performance?
Sharwanand is superb, to put it simply. He acts effortlessly and conveys emotions without ever going overboard. He does the light comedy scenes as well as emotional scenes equally well. The calm and settled way in which he goes about his work is what is the most impressive thing about him.
Direction By Sathish Vegesna?
If one has seen the precious films of the director, one would be left wondering if he is the same guy. He has handled the film very neatly without any deviations and to the point. The direction is deft without any doubt but the film is plagued with other important problems.
Satish, who has also provided the story, screenplay and dialogues fail in the story and screenplay departments. The story is very weak and predictable. This usually won’t be a problem but the way the screenplay is constructed to get to the point is where the big problem lies. Let us take an example, in the second half, it gets to a point where the NRI families don’t care about what’s happening around them and they are busy in their world watching television or browsing mobiles. The hero realizes the problem and makes sure that there is no cable or Internet access to anyone. What follows is we get repeated scenes depicting how it used to be in the past when there was no TV, cable or the Internet. The point is hammered onto the audience. And that’s how the rest of the movie is right from the beginning.
With superb actors the makers have assembled, the basic plot could be told in one hour flat and no emotional impact would be missed. But the screenplay is filled with the above mentioned ‘hammer’ effect on what the NRI’s are missing. The love angle and its conclusion using a subplot involving another love story are done in a very cringy way. Overall, the film is clearly not bad, it has noble intentions but the way it goes about in giving that message is where it falters, despite everything else looking fine.
Anupama Parameswaran and others?
Anupama Parameswaran is very good as a NRI born and bred girl. If one has seen the Diwali release Dharma Yogi, the change the actress has shown between the characters deserves appreciation. The film really belongs to Prakash Raj and Jayasudha, though. They have done many films together and once again they show why they are the best in business when it comes to aged couple with problems. The rest including comedians are well cast. In fact, good casting is one of the biggest strengths of the film.
Music and other departments?
As a standalone album, the music by Mickey J Mayor feels repetitive but when seen with the film it feels food. All the songs in first half are well picturized. The cinematography is good and so is editing. Dialogues are also very food.
Highlights?
Good casting
Dialogues
Message
Drawbacks?
Repetitive screenplay
Love track conclusion
Alternative Take
There was a film released many months ago called Veeri Veeri Gummadi Pandu starring Rajendra Prasad and a kid, it can be seen as an alternative take to this film as both films have almost same message.
Did I enjoy it?
Yes.
Will you recommend it?
Yes but be warned of family entertainer clichés.
Shatamanam Bhavati Review by Siddhartha Toleti
Satamanam Bhavathi US Collection: $122,407
