Telusu Kada, produced by TG Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad, was released in theatres today. In this section, we are going to review the latest BO release.
Plot:
Varun (Siddhu Jonnalagadda) is an affluent star hotel chef whose parents died when he was young. Since he has led an orphaned life, he pines for a loving wife and kids. He opts for an arranged marriage with Anjali (Raashii Khanna). But when Anjalii is diagnosed with a gynaec problem that makes it impossible for her to get pregnant, the duo opt for Surrogacy and approach Raaga (Srinidhi Shetty), an IVF specialist who volunteers to bear their child. Who is Raaga? Is she just altruistic or is there more to her character? Where do the lives of Varun, Anjali and Raaga head from here? That's what the film is all about.
Performances & Technical aspects:
Siddhu conveys a deep internal struggle that his character required of him. His performance is thoughtful, not just emotional. He makes his charismatic but flawed character look sincere. But the Tillu-type delivery feels monotonous.
The female leads make their presence felt in the emotional scenes without making it sound melodramatic or old-school. They show conviction, pain, or fierce independence, as the case may be. Srinidhi Shetty, comparatively, fares much better. Raashii Khanna is singular in many scenes with her smile-y expression.
Harsha Chemudu, as Varun's friend and colleague, is good in the role of a character who is shocked and bamboozled in turns. Annapurnamma's cameo is hilarious. Rohini, Sanjay Swaroop and all others have bit roles.
Thaman's songs will feel fresh in the film. The background music is moody; however, the score sometimes unwittingly makes the proceedings feel like they are scandalous romantic scenes. The cinematography and art direction are good.
Post-Mortem:
The monologues by Siddhu's character in the trailer of Telusu Kada were deeply reflective and suggested a film that goes beyond a simple love story. Sample #1: "Whom to love, how much we love them, and how we show that love should be in our control". Sample #2: "I am not a salesman to give you guarantees and warranties (in love or marriage)". Sample #3: "Some feelings for some people will remain forever. It's not in my control to nurture or kill those feelings". And above all, there was this banger of a line by the makers themselves: "Love like you have never seen before." In fact, Sample #3 stands in opposition to Sample #1, indicating that Siddhu's Varun is internally conflicted.
Director Neerraja Kona narrates a character-driven, complex romantic drama but is less a modern psychological romance and more a case of life being kind to its male lead. The hero comes with a theme of self-determination and autonomy within a relationship. From the trailer, it was evident that he grapples with the weight of a heartbreak. But then, the film only goes so far in milking this potential.
The scenes immediately post interval are rootless. The women in Varun's life make emotional choices - all for the man. They don't weigh the pros and cons of their life-altering decisions that can have far-reaching, irredeemable consequences for their future. The entire story revolves around Varun, the cinematic orphan who has become rich because of a rare skill and the alleged radical who glamourizes his own male ego. The beats of the story move in directions that make everything about him and his non-negotiable need for a family life. Even the most confused, free-thinking woman exists to make him feel better about himself.
Closing Remarks:
Telusu Kada, given its not-so-original story elements, was always destined to be an average affair. If you watch it with a lenient lens, the first half will surely work for you. The second half, though, is an exercise in cinematic fantasy.
