Film: Rangamarthanda
Release Date: March 22, 2023
Gold Andhra Rating: 3/5
Cast: Prakash Raj, Ramya Krishnan, Brahmanandam, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Shivathmika Rajashekar, Aadarsh Balakrishna, Rahul Sipligunj, Ali Reza, and others
Director: Krishna Vamsi Producers: Kalipu Madhu, S. Venkat Reddy Music Director: Ilaiyaraaja Cinematography: Raj K Nalli Editor: Pavan VK
Rangamarthanda, directed by Krishna Vamsi and starring Prakash Raj, Ramya Krishnan, and Brahmanandam. The film tells the story of Raghava Rao, a renowned theatre artist, played by Prakash Raj, who decides to retire from his profession and distribute his wealth among his children, Sri (Shivathmika Rajasekhar) and Ranga (Aadarsh Balakrishna). However, he and his wife Raju Garu (Ramya Krishnan) face mistreatment from their children from then on, leading to a dramatic confrontation
Prakash Raj delivers a spellbinding performance in the titular role of Raghava Rao, displaying his whole experience as an actor. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role, given the finesse he brings to the character. The emotions are showcased phenomenally, especially in the second half of the film, where the director leaves his mark. The climax is a class apart, leaving a lasting impression on the audience
Brahmanandam’s acting excellence in emotional scenes is another highlight of the film. The legendary comedian provides many laughs in the first half and delivers an exceptional performance in the second hour, making the audience’s eyes watery. Ramya Krishnan ably supports Prakash Raj in her role as a homemaker, and Shivathmika Rajasekhar ades depth to the proceedings
The voiceover by Megastar Chiranjeevi adds to the film’s appeal, as he captures the struggles that actors go through to amuse the audience. Rangamarthanda touches upon many important aspects of life, with a beautiful and relevant message.
While the emotions presented in the film are lovely, the story feels familiar and predictable at times, resembling older films like Samsaram Oka Chadarangam. The first half moves at a slow pace, with a few lag scenes, and the editing could have been tighter to keep the proceedings fast-paced. Additionally, there is a bit of inconsistency in the narrative, and the presentation feels old-fashioned at times.
Ilaiyaraaja’s music is beautiful, with a few songs that will stay in the audience’s ears long after the film. The cinematography by Raj K Nail is decent, and the production values are fair. The dialogues penned by Aakella Siva Prasad are cap-worthy and thought-provoking.
Overall, Rangamarthanda is a watchable tale of a theatre artist, with stunning performances from the cast, especially Prakash Raj and Brahmanandam. The drama in the second half will strike a chord with family audiences, although some scenes can be guessed in advance, and the movie sometimes becomes slow. Director Krishna Vamsi has played his cards right. showcasing his mark after a long hiatus
