Dorasaani - Movie Review

What’s it about?
Set in early 90’s in a village called Jayagiri, the film begins with the present time. After serving the imprisonment for many years, a Naxalite returns to this village from jail in search of Raju, the youngster of this village who saved him long back. Story moves to 90’s. Raju (Anand Deverakonda) who is studying at his grandparents’ village comes to Jayagiri on Dussera holidays to stay with his parents. His family is poor. He writes good poetry. The village landlord’s daughter Devaki (Shivathmika) gets attracted to him as he daily visits her Gadi and watches her from below. She also likes his poetry being a budding poetess herself. Can these two odd pair win their love against the feudal system?
 
Analysis
 
New director KVR Mahendra’s ‘Dorasaani’ begins on a rather solemn note and narrates a tale of love that has been seen in several films. The rich girl living in ‘Gadi’ (a palace-like place) getting attracted to poor artiste is similar to many movies. Here ‘Gadi’ and the culture surrounding it has given the film new dimension and texture.  
 
‘Gadi’ is a small fortress-like mansions which were known for atrocities as the feudal lords in pre-Independence Telangana had ruled the villages from there. The culture was not present after 70’s. Directors like Shyam Benegal, Gautam Ghosh and B Narsing Rao have explored this feudal raj of erstwhile Telangana. What Mahendra has done is placing classic love tale of rich girl and poor boy in this milieu using ‘Gadi’ as main backbone. However, it is completely hard to believe the ‘Gadi’ culture in 90’s. That is totally misleading the history. That ‘Banchanu Kalmokta’ culture had already been eroded in 90’s.
 
Had the story set in much earlier, it would have been believable.
 
The director has weaved the story with enough interesting sequences, though. The locations have made lot of difference to the story setting. The film is shot on real locations in Kodada and other surrounding places to get the ‘Gadi’ look. Both debutant actors Shivathmika as landlord’s daughter and Anand Deverakonda as poor youngster are convincing in their roles.
 
 “Kadilinchavu Nanne Gundeni Meeti Kadili Vaccha Neekai Sarihaddule Daati”
(You are the beat that my heart skipped, And here I am for you crossing the borders) is the first line that he writes on the wall for her. This line becomes the basis for their love. The director has used ‘Batukamma’ festival, Dussera holidays and the other typical cultural elements to tell this story in an authentic way. These things have made the film apart from the movies that based on the template ‘Kotalo Rani Thotalo Raju’.
 
Since the film is set in 90’s, the director has also used then prevalent Naxalite movement to add drama to the proceedings which has helped. The climax is best part.
 
Other drawback is that it is too slow. But there hardly any great love sequences shot on these lead pair.
 
Both the newcomers are okay in their first act while Shivathmika in the title role walks away with the honours, the male lead Anand Deverakonda also gets noticed. His dialogue delivery is similar to his brother’s. Shivathmika lacks conventional beauty for a heroine and also for a Dorasaani but she has given convincing performance skills.
 
Sharanya Pradeep of ‘Fidaa’ fame impresses once again in the role of a maid.
 
Prasanth Vihari has given terrific songs, which are both soothing and situational. Goreti Venkanna written ‘Ningilona Palapuntha’ is beautiful. Chinmayi rendered ‘Kalavaramaye’ and another background song are haunting. Music is one of the main strengths to his realistic drama. Production design and artwork needs special mention. The film was shot in real locations in Warangal, Medak and other parts where old ‘Gadi’s are still exist. Sound design is neat.
 
Director KVR Mahendra’s work is impressive as far as taking is concerned.
 
Bottom-line: ‘Dorasaani’ is honest tale of love between a landlord’s daughter and a poor youngster with terrific songs and new milieu. The template tale is told in sincere manner but 90’s backdrop is not convincing at all.