'Rudrangi' is hitting the screens this Friday (July 7). The trailer was pretty average in a lot of ways. Is the film better? We are going to explain you in this review.
Plot:
The story takes place in the early decades of Indian Independence. The setting is a village named Rudrangi in Telangana. Mallesh (Ashish Gandhi) and Rudrangi (Ganavi Laxman) are childhood lovers. The village's lecherous feudal lord Bhim Rao Deshmukh (Jagapathi Babu) tries to cross the line with a female victim, much to the disgust of his two wives.
Bhim Rao's second wife, Jwala Bhai (Mamta Mohandas in the role of an arrogant Dorasani), is unhappy with her husband for mental and emotional reasons. An interesting turn of events leads to a tripartite rivalry.
Performances:
Jagapathi Babu takes time to come into his own. But once he aims at perfection, there is no going back. Despite the loudness and shrill nature of his typical character, he makes his character work with his dialogue delivery and a mean streak. He looks menacing and disgusting in some scenes, something that was required. Mamta Mohandas delivers a powerful performance and she is a total surprise. She looks sensuous, bold, arrogant, and everything in between with ease.
Ashish Gandhi could have been way better. Vimala Raman, Kalakeya Prabhakar (as a feudal lord named Bhujanga Rao), and Ganavi Laxman (despite a lead role) don't create much impact.
There is an item song led by Divi Vadthya. The way it is composed, it feels more like a folk song rather than a cinematic song. Divi fails to do the heavy lifting that was expected of her.
Technical Departments:
Ais Nawfal Raja's background music works in some portions. In others, especially in the second half, it was not pulsating enough. Santosh Shanamoni's cinematography is average. The stunts by Ram Sunkara and Jashuva needed to make the revolt in the second half feel like a dangerous rebellion. With better ideas from action directors, there would have been force.
Nevertheless, for a film seemingly made on a not-so-grand scale, 'Rudrangi' is helped by the technical team.
Plus Points:
The first half manages to throw some surprises.
The drama built around Mallesh and Jwala Bhai.
The interval block that makes the audience believe that the second half will be knotty.
Exploring the reality of social backwardness and caste hierarchy.
The emotional touches associated with a key character's sacrifice.
Minus Points:
'Osey Ramulamma' has a pronounced influence on the trajectory of the film.
The lack of emotional catharsis in the second half.
Not-so-commendable action.
Vox Verdict:
You could say that 'Rudrangi' is 50% 'Osey Ramulamma'. The first half gives some highs and keeps the viewer involved. The second half could have done away with predictability.
Rating: 2.75
