July 8, 2006

Uppongele Godavari oogindi le cheloo mari.

Godavari is like beautiful painting filled with all the bright and light colors of life. It?s as fresh and original as newly bloomed flower. It shows every aspect of a youth’s life so nicely. Be it the relationship between a grown-up daughter and her parents, her aspirations to do something in life, a youth who believes that he can change the country’s fate by joining politics. A girl who is confused about what she wants from a marriage, love or stability? A genuine guy rejected for being himself. Don't we see these things happening to us? The characters were sketched so beautifully from the boy Chinna to the talking dog, keeping the entertainment intact.

The story is so simple and out of life. Nothing is out of place. The actors were at their best. Sumanth and Kamalini outdid there previous performances. For me the surprise element was Neetu Chandra. She suited the role so well. I could not believe that she is the same girl from Garam Masala. The credit goes to the director who brought the best out of them.

Some of the scenes were so into human psyche. I couldn't stop chuckling to myself when Sita thinks about the guy her parents showed. 'How does he look?' OK. 'How is it to kiss him?' God! Shekar how did you get that scripted? The scene where Sita insists that Ram give her the same look as he gave to Raji. The scene when Sita cries in front of bamma. Scene where, Sita tells everything to her Mom. I can go on and on. I really enjoyed the relationship between Chinna and the dog. It was hilarious.

Taking was just awesome. Every scene is captured with at most beauty. I have never seen Godavari river till date and I don?t think I would have got a better view. Cinematography was so clear and crisp. The boat, gushing river, paapikondalu, greenery, beautiful Sita and Raji in amazing sarees; everything adds to the beauty of a very single frame. Songs were so picturesque, especially the rain song where Shekar managed to capture the rainbow. Music was very refreshing; my favorites are 'Uppongele Godavari' 'Andhamgaalena' 'Manasa Gelupu'. While 'Uppongele Godavari' and 'Andhangaalena' has a beauty of its own 'Mansa Gelupu' was very touchy with strong feel of confidence in it.

I have to see the movie once gain to find more amazing things. Eagerly waiting to own a DVD. Also, will make it to take that launch to Badhrachalam when I visit India next time. Thank you Shekar, for this cool breeze in hot summer. I hope you keep this trend of movie making and don't get carried away with so called mass-image, collections.

Why Shekar's movie making is different?

Cinema is an art and a form of art which depicts some real life issues and some fiction. When a normal audience goes into a theater there is a gap between the screen and the person, which is the gap of reality. A successful director is supposed to nullify that gap and in Shekar Kammula?s film there is not gap. His characters are so out of real life; even though the story is a fiction the way he depicts on the screen makes the audience connect with every frame. A movie should be build with all the ingredients like story, screenplay, dialogues etc but not by a star?s image or hit formula. These days we hardly get to see movies that are not imaged based and Shekar successfully proved that a good movie happens due to right script and taking; and not because of huge star cast or mass scenes.

I have been a fan of Shekar since the day I have seen 'Dollar Dreams'. Very thought provoking movie made with a ting of humor and sarcasm. What I like about Shekar?s movie is that everyone is a character and every character has its own importance. There is no hero or heroine, there is no unwanted heroism. Be it Rupa in Anand or Sita in Godavari. I was always able to relate myself or my friends to these characters. People have always appreciated good cinema be it class audience or mass audience. At the end it boils down to the feel good factor and you'll feel it from Godavari - that is Shekar Kammula!

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