What’s it about!
After many years on stage, Raghava Rao (Prakash Raj) decides to call it quits so that he can devote more time to his family. He is given the honorific “Rangamarthanda” on the day he retires. His wife Raju Garu (Ramya Krishna) warns him against it, but he eventually gives his son Ranga Rao (Aadarsh Balakrishna) the family home and his daughter Sri (Shivathmika) his savings and jewelry.
Raghava Rao and Raju Garu move in with their son and daughter-in-law Geeta (Anasuya). Raghava Rao’s actor friend and co-worker Chakrapani (Brahmanandam) is, on the other hand, childless.
Raghava Rao soon realizes that his “behavior” is putting a strain on the next generation. The way their own children are treating them becomes too much for the elderly parents to bear.
Analysis
In “Rangamarthanda,” an adaptation of the 2016 Marathi film “Natsamrat,” director Krishna Vamsi makes his long-awaited directorial return with a story that explores the life of an actor alongside the generation gap between parents and children.
The film begins with the news that Kala Bharathi has been reduced to ashes, and a retired actor rushes to the location where he performed most of his plays, reminiscing about his life. The actor, played by Prakash Raj, is proud of his accomplishments and his work as an artist, but he is consumed by guilt for not spending enough time with his family and not showing enough love to his wife, who has turned a blind eye to his numerous affairs and allowed him to flourish as an actor because of her unwavering support. Thus, he gives away all his earnings to his children and hopes to spend with them.
From here, the film enters the territory of a well-known story about elderly parents struggling to cope with their children’s neglect. Many Telugu films, including “Kalikalam” and “Soorigadu,” have addressed this issue. So the sequences and problems between the parents and their children are nothing new. Furthermore, the tropes are cliched. Still, what works for this film is Krishna Vamsi’s deft direction and the story’s inherent sentimentality.
The film also features solid performances. When Prakash Raj has to portray a distraught father who is hurt by the way his children treat him, he excels. Brahmanandam, a veteran comedian, demonstrates that he is also a gifted actor by delivering a moving performance that rivals the clarity of his comedic ones. The scene in the hospital with Prakash Raj and Brahmanandam would get applause.
Ramya Krishna gives a restrained performance. The actress gives depth to her portrayal of a wife who supports her husband. But “Raju Garu” is an unusual name for her character.
Maestro Ilayaraja’s music adds depth. Other technical departments have done neat job. Dialogues are fine. Despite the fact that the film is a remake, Krishna Vamsi adds his own directorial touch.
Bottom-line: While the story of a generation gap between parents and children is not new, the excellent performances in “Rangamarthanda” help to compensate. Prakash Raj and Brahmanandam both give moving performances under Krishnavamsi’s direction. There are some moving moments, but there are also a lot of tired tropes.
Rating: 2.75/5
By Jalapathy Gudelli
Film: Rangamarthanda
Cast: Prakash Raj, Ramya Krishna, Brahmanandam, Anasuya, Shivathmika, Rahul Sipligunj, Adarsh Balakrishna and others
Story: V. V. Shirwadkar and Mahesh Manjrekar
Music: Ilayaraja
Cinematography: Raj K Nalli
Producers: Kalipu Madhu, S. Venkat Reddy
Directed by: Krishnavamsi
Release Date: Mar 22, 2023
