Andala Rakshasi could have been a masterpiece. With the premise it had, that of a triangular love story between metaphorical Earth, Sun and the Moon as explained by the director, it could have been one of the greatest love stories portrayed on screen. The vision was magnificent, the execution not so much. Its hard to criticize films these days now that I'm working on making one myself. I understand its not easy. But I also realise that that's what the fun is all about. Steven D Katz succinctly explains what exactly goes through the mind of a filmmaker and what his motivating factor is when he says that a filmmakers' pursuit is not to transfer the vision in his head onto the screen but instead, while working towards a blurry vision, discover what exactly he set out to create.
Two artists and a spellbinding woman. The quiet intensity of the characters is palpable below the surface. For some reason, the director decides against dwelling deeper into the minds and hearts of the protagonists. Gowtham is probably the only character that has any depth in character but though Rahul tries, he is simply not experienced enough to bring out the kind of controlled madness that defines his character. Surya is much more on-your-face, less complex and is portrayed quite well by Naveen. Now, Mithuna. The woman who spellbinds two solitary, intense artists, a musician and a painter, is got to be somebody who is capable of doing that. She is beautiful, innocent though hardly any more layered than a conventional heroine. Mithuna is a great woman but sadly, Lavanya Tripathi is so gorgeous herself, such a fine performer that the actor turns more intriguing than the character. It is a pleasure watching her draped in yellows and reds, with a lush green background and listening to Radhan play truly astounding music. The weakness of the film is that it has set extremely high standards for itself in some areas and is wanting in others.
Simply put, Andala Rakshasi has a gob smacking storyline, amazing music, a truly beautiful heroine and eye-widening visuals. Hanu Raghavapudi had an amazing vision and hats off to him for that. The freshness that the film carries is intoxicating. And the reason it fails is because of rather innocuous factors: amateur acting, a misleading trailer and the first 20 minutes or so that could have been a little less confusing. The film is a lot like its characters- They do whatever they are doing rather well but seem to have no idea why they are doing it in the first place. I loved watching it, though I was saddened that the guy who had such a brilliant idea couldn't rise to that level himself. Imagine, two artists in pursuit of one girl. Intensity, unpredictability, rage, love and genius. Those factors should have shaped their love story. I'd have loved to see their personal space, understand why they couldn't help but love the girl and what they were going through within themselves to comprehend their madness. It could've been a film to die for. But that's fine. Raghavapudi's given me a film to live for and watch it over and over again.
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Talk eloquence.
Hanu Raghavapudi's brilliant interview.
Two artists and a spellbinding woman. The quiet intensity of the characters is palpable below the surface. For some reason, the director decides against dwelling deeper into the minds and hearts of the protagonists. Gowtham is probably the only character that has any depth in character but though Rahul tries, he is simply not experienced enough to bring out the kind of controlled madness that defines his character. Surya is much more on-your-face, less complex and is portrayed quite well by Naveen. Now, Mithuna. The woman who spellbinds two solitary, intense artists, a musician and a painter, is got to be somebody who is capable of doing that. She is beautiful, innocent though hardly any more layered than a conventional heroine. Mithuna is a great woman but sadly, Lavanya Tripathi is so gorgeous herself, such a fine performer that the actor turns more intriguing than the character. It is a pleasure watching her draped in yellows and reds, with a lush green background and listening to Radhan play truly astounding music. The weakness of the film is that it has set extremely high standards for itself in some areas and is wanting in others.
Simply put, Andala Rakshasi has a gob smacking storyline, amazing music, a truly beautiful heroine and eye-widening visuals. Hanu Raghavapudi had an amazing vision and hats off to him for that. The freshness that the film carries is intoxicating. And the reason it fails is because of rather innocuous factors: amateur acting, a misleading trailer and the first 20 minutes or so that could have been a little less confusing. The film is a lot like its characters- They do whatever they are doing rather well but seem to have no idea why they are doing it in the first place. I loved watching it, though I was saddened that the guy who had such a brilliant idea couldn't rise to that level himself. Imagine, two artists in pursuit of one girl. Intensity, unpredictability, rage, love and genius. Those factors should have shaped their love story. I'd have loved to see their personal space, understand why they couldn't help but love the girl and what they were going through within themselves to comprehend their madness. It could've been a film to die for. But that's fine. Raghavapudi's given me a film to live for and watch it over and over again.
--
Talk eloquence.
Hanu Raghavapudi's brilliant interview.
1 comment:
I so fell in love with your post, though I haven't watched the flick yet. This post is gripping, capturing the true intentions of the characters.
And the last line of you stroked the old Sirish. Keep 'em coming.
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