'Vidya Vasula Aham' is the latest web release. Streaming on Aha Video, this film was originally made for a theatrical release. After getting delayed by several months, it has finally been released on OTT. What is the relationship drama about? Let's find out.
Story:
The story revolves around Vasu (Rahul Vijay) and Vidya (Shivani Rajasekhar), both of whom start out with no desire to get married but eventually get married because of divine intervention. Initially, their relationship is harmonious, but soon, ego clashes arise due to Vasu's nature and Vidya's adamant pushback. Will they have lasting peace?
Performances:
Almost all the scenes involve either Shivani or Rahul Vijay or both. There is little space for others, including their parents. Shivani's nuanced portrayal is what makes this film pretty decent despite its obvious deficiencies. The film is her best bet since 'Adbhutham'. Had she been paired up with a new-age acting talent like Sangeeth Shoban of 'MAD' fame, her performance and timing would have met a perfect match. Rahul Vijay fits the bill but he doesn't exude the agility required of a Telugu cinema hero.
Avasarala Srinivas and Abhinaya are seen as Lord Vishnu and his consort, respectively. The conversations between them are fashioned after those in the old movies where the Gods are worried about warring couples for comical relief. Srinivas Reddy is seen as Narada. Ravi Varma Adduri, Kasi Viswanath, RoopaLakshmi, and Rajasri Nair play the parents of the lead pair.
Technical Departments:
Kalyani Malik's music is a relief. The mood of the film undergoes a shift with the song that takes off in a temple fifteen minutes into the film. His background music is soft on the ears. Akhil Valluri's cinematography is half-decent. There are no cinema-level shots at all. Everything is so TV-ish. Satya Giduturi's editing is haphazard. It seems the second half was chopped off heavily for the OTT release.
Plus Points:
1. The dialogues between the newly-wed couple are sensible. The conversations are not over-the-top just because laughs have to be delivered.
2. The nuptial night scene and the scene where the yet-to-be-married Vidya hurls a tricky questionnaire at Vasu are well-written and well-acted.
3. The character of Vidya is better understood through her psychological profile. (The same can't be said about Vasu, though).
4. The rehashing of the 'Kushi' temple scene is clever. Vidya and Vasu are a pair made in heaven; this is conveyed within a limited screen time.
Minus Points:
1. The second half is a letdown. The film rushes to the climax as if there is no tomorrow. Some risky editing choices were clearly made by the OTT platform. The conversational nature of the first half is allowed to dissipate.
2. The scene where Vidya publicly insults Vasu is unsettling. Considering her characterization in the first half, the scene cheapens her.
3. The climax is weak, sketchy and hollow.
Vox Verdict:
The best thing that has happened to 'Vidya Vasula Aham' is that it got to bypass a theatrical release. If you have 1 hour 40 minutes at your disposal, catch it on Aha Video and move on!
