Fidaa - Movie Review

Friday, July 21, 2017 - 13:00
Fidaa (2017)
Cast & Crew: 

Film: Fidaa
Cast: Varun Tej, Sai Pallavi, Sai Chand,  Sai Chand, Sathyam Rajesh, Raja Chembolu, Sharanya Pradeep, Harshavardhan Rane, Geetha Bhaskar, and others
Cinematography:Vijay C Kumar
Music: Shakthikanth Karthick
Editing: Marthand Venkatesh
Producers: Raju, Sirish
Written and Directed by: Sekhar Kammula
Release date: July 21,  2017
CBFC Rating: U
Runtime: 2.20 hrs

What's it about!

Bhanumathi (Sai Pallavi) gets impressed by Varun (Varun Tej) who comes to attend her sister’s wedding. Varun is studying medicine in USA and he is brother of Raja (Raja), the guy who is marrying her sister. They soon start liking each other. On the day when she is about to express her love to him, she sees a scene and misunderstands him. She refuses to talk him. After marriage ceremony is over, Varun moves to USA but he can’t forget her. When her sister gets pregnant and needs a supporter, her father sends Bhanumathi to USA. The story of Varun and Bhanumathi begins again.

Analysis

After long time, we have get to see a movie that has strong writing and have scenes that reflect our day-to-day lives. We are talking about Sekhar Kammula's latest movie 'Fidaa'. As the promotional tagline says, 'Fidaa' is a love-hate story of a young couple – Varun and Bhanumathi. But this is not just a love story. A slice of life drama! It is like watching life unfolding on screen. So natural, so heart-warming.

Set in rural Telangana (first half) and in USA (almost entire portion of the second half), Kammula has presented a story of a strong-willed Bhanumathi (Sai Pallavi) and her love-hate relationship with Varun (Varun Tej). From 'Anand', he has been writing strong female lead characters but he lost his magic recently. He got his mojo back with Fidaa. The flow of the story goes on its own course - slow at times and fast paced in other places but never misses the right beat.

The actors, the writing, the scenes, the set up... everything is natural and realistic. When the actors speak, you don't feel they are mouthing dialogues. We hear the 'conversation' (which is rare in Telugu cinema). There is inherent good-naturedness in the story and it has come out onto the screen as well.

Varun is like any other today’s youngster, Bhanumathi is the strong-willed girl. Rarely we see such heroines on Telugu screen. She is witty, chivalrous, and has strong opinions, yet fragile in matters of heart. Sekar Kammula’s writing deserves much of the credit here. He has sculpted her character with so much care. Story wise, he has not attempted anything but told the familiar story beautifully.

On the downside, it is too lengthy and the some parts in the second half are not handled properly. Also the climax part seems hurried. But these shortcomings don't matter much.

The film completely belongs to Sai Pallavi. Even though it is her debut movie in Telugu, the actress with the natural beauty has given perfect performance in the role of a strong spirited Telangana girl Bhanumathi. She is quite natural in her expressions and what's more she has got the Telangana accent right (she dubbed her own voice). She steals the show from start to finish. When she's doing the role, you hardly focus on other character. Varun Tej, the male lead, is perfect fit for the role of an NRI. He is decent in this character.

Among other actors, senior actor Sharanya who did the role of Sai Pallavi's sister and Sai Chand (‘Maa Bhoomi’ fame) are quite good. Raja as Varun's brother has also done neat job. Sathyam Rajesh generates some good laughs. Director Tarun Bhaskar's ('Pelli Choopulu' fame) mother as aunt makes her mark

My personal fav from this audio album (composed by Shakthikanth Karthick ) is "Oosupodu Oorukodu" and interestingly, it also turns out to be the best one on screen though other songs like "Vachinde" and "Edo Jarugutondi" are quite impressive too."Vacchinde" has chances of becoming a rage given its catchy tune. Basic tune of "Hey Pillagada" is inspired by the great classic number "Parugulu Teeyal O Gittalu Urakulu Veyyali" from 'Mallishwari" starring NTR and Bhanumathi. Sekhar Kammula did acknowledge the music legend Saluri Rajeshwara Rao for this song. Incidentally, the heroine's name is Bhanumathi (Mallishwari's heroine). Vijay C Kumar has captured the locales of Bhanswada in Telangana and USA richly. Editing is neat even though the pace is a little bit slow in the second half.

As writer and director, Sekhar Kammula has proved once again that his best comes when he makes a romantic story. His dialogues are so conversational. He has made this as personal movie.

Bottom-line: 'Fidaa' is lovely. The love story, even though regular, is told in most endearing manner and with passionate approach. The story of Bhanumathi is likeable to the core and Sai Pallavi steals the show. Sekhar Kammula brings another good romantic story little worrying about commercial aspects. It may work with all kind of audiences. Go watch.

Reviewed by: 
J Gudelli
Rating: 
3.5/5