Jagapathi Babu has turned the main lead for a film titled Rudrangi. The film also has Vimala Raman and Mamta Mohan Das in key roles and is now out in the theaters. Read our review here.
Story: ‘Rudrangi’ is a period drama set in the early decades of Indian Independence, taking place in the village of Rudrangi in Telangana. The story revolves around the love between childhood sweethearts Mallesh (Ashish Gandhi) and Rudrangi (Ganavi Laxman), who find themselves entangled in a complex rivalry involving the lecherous feudal lord Bhim Rao Deshmukh (Jagapathi Babu) and his dissatisfied second wife, Jwala Bhai (Mamta Mohandas).
Performances: Jagapathi Babu delivers a commendable performance, gradually immersing himself in his character and effectively portraying the menacing and repugnant traits required. Mamta Mohandas surprises with her powerful portrayal of an arrogant Dorasani, effortlessly transitioning between different emotions and capturing the audience’s attention. However, Ashish Gandhi’s performance falls short, and the supporting cast, including Vimala Raman, Kalakeya Prabhakar, and Ganavi Laxman, fail to leave a lasting impact.
Technicalities: The technical aspects of the film show promise but lack consistency. Ais Nawfal Raja’s BGM works well in some parts, creating an immersive experience, but falls short in others, particularly in the second half. Santosh Shanamoni’s cinematography is average, failing to fully capture the essence of the setting. The action sequences by Ram Sunkara and Jashuva, although attempting to convey the intensity of the rebellion in the second half, could have been better executed to maximize their impact.
Analysis: Despite its shortcomings, ‘Rudrangi’ manages to offer some surprises and engaging moments, particularly in the first half. The exploration of the relationship dynamics between Mallesh and Jwala Bhai, the interval block that builds anticipation, and the themes of social backwardness and caste hierarchy add depth to the narrative.
The film draws inspiration from the iconic film ‘Osey Ramulamma,’ but the second half lacks emotional catharsis and succumbs to predictability. Rudrangi’ showcases potential in its first half but struggles to sustain its momentum in the latter part. While it incorporates engaging elements and explores relevant themes, the film falls short in terms of emotional depth and fails to deliver impactful action sequences.
The drama in the film should have been elevated even more. Jagapathi Babu does well but he also goes overboard in many scenes. The violence shown to women should have been reduced. In a way, the film had the potential to become even more gripping but the narration of Ajay Samrat is not that impressive. He had the traits and did all the hard work but the key drama which one comes to watch the film is missing.
Verdict: Overall, Rudrangi has a great backdrop and able performance that should be appreciated. But the lack of emotional depth in the second half takes the film down in no time. Despite its flaws, ‘Rudrangi’ remains an intriguing attempt within its period drama genre.
Bottom Line- Has its moments
Rating: 2/5
