Chinna Babu – Movie Review

What’s it about!
Chinna Babu (Karthi) is son of a landlord (Sathya Raj) in a village. Chinna Babu is a farmer and loves his large family and relatives. Their family assumes that he would marry either of his two nieces but he falls in love with a village beauty (Sayyesha) leading to chaos in the family. Rest of the drama is all about bringing the family together.
 
Analysis
At the outset, Karthi starrer “Chinna Babu” gives an impression that it is about farmers and their lives but this is actually a family drama set in rural backdrop. The family sentiments, the troubles in the family, the petty ego clashes among relatives, two nieces pining hopes on their “mamayya” to marry them….. All these done and dusted sequences are packaged in new cans with a dose of humor.
 
Telugu cinema has largely moved on from this genre long time ago. Such films were common feature in the 90’s. Many episodes that are shown in this film still happen in rural areas in Telugu states but “TV serial” sentiment scenes are not accepted by the current generation and filmmakers have also stopped making them though occasionally we see “Shatamanam Bhavati” kind of family dramas.
 
“Chinna Babu” is old-style family drama, yet is watchable for its emotional sequences and some comic sequences. Soori’s comic dialogues are actually good.
 
This film will seem too old-fashioned for current generation audiences and urban folk as it is highly melodramatic, preachy. However, the director sets the tone right and doesn’t bore you.
 
The film begins with Sathya Raj marrying two women in the hope of having a son. He already has five daughters but the movie ends with Karthi talking about the importance of daughter.
 
Karthi makes this film watchable with his good performance. He is equally good as proud farmer and as a guy who pines for family bonding. Sathya Raj as patriarchal landlord is okay. Bhanu Priya and the huge cast of women folk in the movie have come up with natural performances. Soori’s comedy has really worked out. Sayyesha is good.
 
The film has rich rustic visual palette. Director Pandiraj is good at emotional scenes.
 
Bottom-line: ‘Chinnababu’ is rural family drama that is watchable for its neat package and humor. However, it is too high on melodrama and the family scenes are too old-fashioned. Watch it for Karthi.