Story
Prasad (Vishwadev) works as a bus conductor in Tirupathi, and his wife Saraswathi (Nivetha Thomas) stays at home to care for their two children. Their elder son, Arun, is bright but struggles with mathematics. His teacher, Chanakya Varma (Priyadarshi Pulikonda), only worsens the situation with his harsh behavior, particularly towards Arun. As Arun considers dropping out of school due to his difficulties with math, Saraswathi faces the challenge of keeping him enrolled. The rest of the story follows her journey to help her son overcome his struggles and succeed.

Artists Performance

Nivetha Thomas shines with a remarkable performance as a compassionate mother, perfectly capturing the essence of a woman who rises to any challenge, no matter how tough. Her portrayal is highly relatable, embodying the selfless, loving mother we often see in our own families. Vishwadev Rachakonda deserves special praise for his natural acting. Matching Nivetha's powerhouse performance in an author-backed role is no easy feat, but Vishwadev holds his own with an impressive portrayal. Priyadarshi also stands out for taking on a character with gray shades— a bold and risky choice at this point in his career, but one that broadens his range. Krishna Teja delivers a strong performance as the heroine's brother, while Arundev Pothula steals the spotlight as the kid struggling with math. Abhay Shankar is also excellent as the younger son. Gautami and Bhagyaraj are well-suited to their roles, and all the children give natural, believable performances.

Story - screenplay - direction: Debutant director Nanda Kishore Emani deserves recognition for crafting and directing the film with conviction, staying true to the story without unnecessary deviations. Most of the narrative unfolds in two primary settings—the house and the school. The portrayal of Brahminical characters evokes memories of K. Viswanath's films. The Tirupathi backdrop and Chittoor dialect bring a refreshing touch to the film. At its core, this is a mother’s story, a tale of her triumph against all odds for her son, an emotion that is highly relatable. The real conflict emerges in the latter part of the second half, when the mother must fight on her own, aided only by Gautami. However, Chanakya's behavior feels unconvincing at times, and the principal should have intervened when he created a question paper fit for IIT aspirants rather than schoolchildren. I also like the creative use of 0s and 1s in place of "o" and "i" in the title cards. This film is bound to win awards.

Other departments: Vivek Sagar’s music is a major highlight, with both the songs and background score enhancing the film's momentum at the right moments. Niketh Bommi’s cinematography is outstanding, offering visuals that feel natural and authentic. The dialogues are well-crafted, and Latha Naidu's production design deserves praise for its realism. The filmmakers opted for spot dubbing, which added a natural feel to the film, but some of the dialogues came across as unclear. T C Prasanna's editing is sharp, and the production values from Suresh Productions, S Originals, and Waltair Productions are commendable.

Analysis: 35 - Chinna Katha Kaadu is a film with its heart in the right place, centered around a mother’s struggle to fight for her son against all odds. The director has crafted a relatable story with authentic emotions and a straightforward, realistic narrative. Most of the characters are idealistic, with the exception of Chanakya. The film’s strengths lie in Nivetha Thomas’ outstanding performance, its compelling story, and the simple yet impactful emotions it conveys. It’s a movie that both parents and children should watch.