What’s it about?
Ramakrishna (Srikanth Meka) is a senior police constable with over 20 years of anti-naxalite operations expertise. Ravi (Rahul Vijay) is a freshly hired constable. Kumar (Shivani Rajasekhar) is a junior police officer. These three cops all work at the same police station in Kotabommali, Andhra Pradesh.
Their lives were turned upside down when they were involved in an accident in which a man named Raja Rao (Vishnu) was killed. Raja Rao belongs to a community that votes for the ruling party. With impending by-election, the minister vows to arrest the three constables.
Ramakrishna believes they will be unable to prove their innocence during the by-election period, so they go on the run. However, in order to gain the support of the Raja Rao community, the home minister (Murali Sharma) promises to arrest the police officers within 24 hours before the polling day, and a high-ranking officer Razia Ali (Varalaxmi) is asked to arrest them. The hunt begins.
Analysis
“Kotabommali PS” is set against the backdrop of the Kotabommali police station in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. Thus the title. It is the official remake of Nayattu (Hunt), a critically applauded Malayalam film. The remake mainly follows the original tale, as does the screenplay. The main difference is the Telugu version dramatically alters in tone in the last hour and opts for more ‘commercial style’.
Telugu director Teja Marni does a fine job of adapting the plot to local views. It stays away from the ‘Dalit’ angle. The caste is referred to here as a community that consistently supports the ruling party. There are several political dialogues, as well as an oblique reference regarding the Jana Sena party (the producer intends to enter the election fray soon). Aside from these minor flaws, “Kotabommali PS” is a neat remake of “Nayattu.”
Both the original and the remake clearly establish that the police are puppets in the hands of politicians who are only interested in winning elections at whatever cost.
Srikanth is convincing in the role of a police constable who knows the system very well. Rahul Vijay and Shivani fit well into the role of rookie constables.
The cinematography, background score, and editing are effective.
Bottom line: “Kotabommali PS” has engaging narration and a message about our current political system. It will appeal to those who have not seen the original Malayalam version.
Rating: 2.75/5
Film: Kotabommali P.S
Cast: Srikanth Meka, Rahul Vijay, Shivani Rajasekhar, Varalakshmi Sarath Kumar, Murali Sharma and others
Dialogues: Nagendra Kasi
DOP: Jagadeesh Cheekati
Editor: Karthika Srinivas R
Music: Ranjin Raj, Midhun Mukundan
Art: Gandhi Nadikudikar
Producers: Bunny Vas, Vidya Koppineedi
Directed by: Teja Marni
Release Date: Nov 24, 2023
