'Peddha Kapu 1', directed by Srikanth Addala and produced by Dwaraka Creations' Miryala Ravinder Reddy, is currently playing in theatres. Released amid little hype, the film stars newcomer Virat Karrna in the lead. Let's find out what works and what doesn't:
Plot:
In the mid-1980s, the establishment of the TDP by NT Rama Rao spawns conflicts in a village dominated by blood-curdling foes, Satya Rangaiah (Rao Ramesh) and Bhaiyanna (Naren). A young worker, addressed as Peddha Kapu (Virat Karrna), takes it upon himself to herald new leadership in the village with the support of the newborn political party. Least does he know that he himself is destined to become the leader. His rise, however, is blighted by unimaginable bloodshed.
Performances:
It's bold of Virat Karrna to make an acting debut with an action drama when most male newcomers prefer soft subjects. In recent years, only Bellamkonda Srinivas had the opportunity to debut with an action film. While Virat's full potential is waiting to be explored by 'Peddha Kapu 2', his performance is not-so-satisfying in the film under review.
Pragati Srivasthava, recently seen in 'Manu Charitra', doesn't get much to prove. She is seen in a duet that suffers from placement issues. Srikanth Addala is seen as a wheelchair-bound baddie seething with a vengeance without making his hatred too obvious. Rao Ramesh is fab (he has always been in Addala's directorials). Naren shows the restlessness and anger required of his character. Naga Babu, after the recent 'Baby', gets to play a good role. Tanikella Bharani gets to mouth consequential lines. Anasuya Bharadwaj has a starry role.
Technical Departments:
The choice of Mickey J Meyer, who is known for feel-good movies, itself was debatable. He has declined some genres in the past. This time, he took the plunge probably trusting his director (his repeat collaborator). The background music may not be ground-breaking but it works.
Chota K Naidu loved the story and came on board. His work makes a difference. Peter Hein's fights were expected to capture the underlying emotion. Most fights are meh and pass through the motions.
Merits:
Heavy conversations here and there.
The film's ability to be seen as a social drama at times.
The story arc involves three female characters.
Some dialogues encapsulate the thinking of the weak.
Demerits:
The portrayal of the villainy of the three main baddies is stale.
There is a character who goes missing. His missing status drives the decisions of the male protagonist. But we don't feel for the missing character and his affected family because the initial scenes involving them are ineffective.
Too many attacks that get repetitive. The film is shorn of ideas and that's why everything is resolved through action scenes.
Right at the start, NTR is described by the director's voice as a great man. This makes the film come across as political and non-neutral.
Vox Verdict:
'Peddha Kapu 1' could have been Telugu cinema's answer to Kollywood's Vetrimaaran. But it ends up looking like the poor man's 'Rangasthalm'.
Rating: 2/5
