What’s it about?
Prasad (Vishwadev Rachakonda), a bus conductor, resides in a humble middle-class residence in Tirupati with his wife Saraswati and their two sons, Arun and Varun. They belong to a conventional Brahm in family. Saraswati (Nivetha Thomas) entered into matrimony with her ‘bava’ Prasad after experiencing academic setbacks in the tenth grade. Subsequently, she wholeheartedly dedicated herself to her spouse and children.
Arun, the eldest son, not only achieves zero marks in mathematics but also manages to exasperate everyone with his incessant questioning. He wonders how one side of zero acquires a positive value while the other side acquires a negative value, despite the fact that zero represents nothingness.
Concerned about his son’s future due to his complete disinterest in mathematics and consistent failure to score any marks in the subject, Prasad decides to enroll Arun in Tirumala Tirupati Devasatam’s Vedic school. This results in minor discontent at their home.
The remainder of the story centers on Saraswati’s acceptance of Chanakya’s (Priyadarshi’s) challenge to spark her son Arun’s interest in mathematics and guarantee that he receives a minimum of 35 marks to continue his education.
Analysis
New director Nanda Kishore Emani sets the tone – unhurried pace, simple setting and uncomplicated subject – for “35 Chinna Katha Kaadu” right at the first scene. The film explores the education system and teaching methods, emphasizing the importance of parents and instructors generating clear concepts to help children comprehend things, rather than dismissing their curious questions in an inconsiderate way.
Nivetha Thomas’ performance is the highlight. She has delivered commendable performance, reaffirming her remarkable acting prowess. It is also intresting to see that she accurately mastered the Tirupati accent of the Telugu language. While the film primarily focuses on a small kid, Nivetha Thomas emerges as the central figure as the story progresses towards its climax, showcasing a woman’s resolute determination and emotional fortitude through her authentic portrayal. The child actor Arun Dev is adorable. His facial gestures evoke memories of Darsheel Safary from the film ‘Taare Zameen Par’.
Vishwadev Rachankonda, Nivetha’s spouse, also receives commendation. Priyadarshi adeptly portrays the role of a teacher. The inclusion of veteran director K Bhagyaraja as the school principal, Krishna Tej as Nivetha’s brother, and Gautami in a significant part adds value.
Vivek Sagar’s music integrates with the narrative. Nanda Kishore Emani, as a writer and director, demonstrates promise and deserves appreciation for his sensible approach to storytelling.
Bottom line: “35-Chinna Katha Kaadu” is an endearing story. Nivetha Thomas delivers an amazing performance that will really engage us in this straightforward film. The second half has a few heartfelt moments. The sluggish pace is a minus, though.
Rating: 3/5
By Jalapathy Gudelli
Movie: 35-Chinna Katha Kaadu
Cast: Nivetha Thomas, Vishwadev Rachakonda, Priyadarshi, Gautami, Bhagyaraj, Krishna Teja, and others
Music: Vivek Sagar
DOP: Niketh Bommi
Editor: T C Prasanna
Production Designer: Latha Naidu
Presenter: Rana Daggubati
Producers: Srujan Yarabolu, Siddharth Rallapalli
Written and directed by: Nanda Kishore Emani
Release Date: September 06, 2024
