Starring: Manchu Lakshmi Manchu, Amitha Rao, Shamili, Krishnudu, Chaitanya Krishna
Director: Praveen Sataru
Producer: Chanakya Bhooneti
Banner: Working Dream Productions
Music: Mickey J. Meyer
Story
Story takes off with a writer Saradhi
(Kishore) who have to earn 5 lakhs for her daughter operation who is
diagnosed with cancer. He pens a script on some real life characters in
his life. The story revolves around Venkateshwar Rao (Krishnudu) who
reaches 30 but finds hard to get married, Lisa Smith (Manchu Lakshmi), a
model who loses her demand, Mohan (Naresh), a divorced NRI, Saritha
(Aamani) a widow, a love story between Ashraf (Abhijeet)- Haseena (Richa
Panai), and few other characters. What happens when all the characters
intervene? Does Sarathi earn 5 lakhs forms rest.
Performances
Lakshmi Manchu delivers a decent and striking performance with her bold characterization. She is confident in her role.
Naresh as an NRI did well, Aamani is
usual. Ashraf and Richa Panai are impressive, Chaitanya Krishna and
Shamili are passable, Krishnudu is good, Saradhi strikes in key role.
Others were adequate in their respective roles.
Technical Analysis
Cinematography by Suresh Raghutu is
grand, Musical scores by Mickey J Meyer are mediocre while the
background score is soothing. Editing by Dharmendra Kakarala is neat.
Praveen Sattaru opted for anthology film in a different way but he
failed to engage audiences. Screenplay is weak and uninteresting while
dialogues are decent. Production values by A Working Dream Production
are standard.
Analysis
Chandamama Kathalu takes off on a high
note with seven different stories and the concept of intertwining
characterizations at once point. But the movie soon looses its grip for
its poor screenplay and uninteresting proceedings.
Despite many good characterizations, the emotional factor fails to
connect due to the execution. The stories are either half-baked or with
too many loose ends and few end abruptly.
Praveen Sattaru despite coming up
with a different concept failed in his attempt in making audiences glued
to the screens. He is successful in establishing/introducing too many
different characterizations but the stories ( except the beggar story
part) failed to engage with no curiosity elements. The climax has a
twist but that doesn’t work too due to the slow pace. With such concept,
Chandamama Kathalu could have been a beautiful movie, sadly it ends as a
unconvincing attempt.
Final Verdict:
Chandamama Kathalu- Not-so Gripping Stories!!!
