Philosophical entertainment

Once in a while we get to watch a Telugu film like ‘Yevade Subrahmanyam’ – a sensible and meaningful flick peppered with clean entertainment. It’s heartening to see such cinema and debutant director Nag Ashwin should be lauded and complimented for taking such a bold step towards making a film – which is thankfully not caught in the commercial warp as most films are. Subbu (Nani), a GM in a company run by Pashupati (Nasser), has his aims and goals worked out in life from class IX - they include a corporate job, money and status.

Subbu tries to take over companies and widen Pashupati’s business. While he is on a negotiation spree, one of his childhood friends Rishi (Vijay Devarakonda), whom he was close once, returns to him and pesters Subbu to go to Dudh Kashi - a secret lake which they had heard as young students from an aghora whose disciple was their Telugu teacher. Somehow Rishi is obsessed about travelling to Dudh Kashi in the Himalayas and convinces Subbu.

They also run into Anandi (Malavika Nair). Does the trip to Dudh Kashi materialise? Does Subbu discover who he is as he can’t really figure out when he is asked by Rishi? The film, however, is quite philosophical as it throws up questions on life and how we are leading it. It is as much about self-discovery as about life. The existential aspects are all nonetheless in the form of some dialogues and nuggets mostly from Rishi.

While Subbu is all for a life of money, status, Rishi’s thinking is on a higher plane where money is incidental. This philosophy is not heavy or preachy. On the contrary it is interspersed with incidents and in an entertaining format. It is bound to stir something in every individual given the materialistic world we live in.

Nag Ashwin must be lauded for fusing ‘philosophy’ and entertainment even though it may be simple and cursory. For a change one is happy to see a film without the mandatory item number. While there are songs they do not seem too much of an intrusion in the story. Also, the humour is built in to the lines and there are no comedians added to infuse it.

The second half of the film is largely set in the Himalayas and hence one gets to see the magnificent grandeur of the mountains and the picturesque locales. Cinematographers-- Rakesh & Naveen— deserve special mention for the way they captured the snow-capped mountains, icy terrains and the small hamlet(s).

It is the first Telugu film to be shot near the base camp of Everest. The production values of the film are good. The music too by Radhan is also melodious. If the story has intensity, Nani, with his acting, ensured that it was brought alive on screen. He simply breezes through every situation effortlessly.

Vijay Devarakonda makes quite an impact as Rishi. The verbal confrontation scenes between him and Nani are worth a watch. Malvika Nair as Anandi is quite earthy and fitted the role well. Nassar and Ritu Varma don’t have much to do. Rajesh Vivek also appears in a brief role. ‘Yevade Subrahmanyam’ is refreshingly made in a different template and that’s what makes it a worthwhile watch. Go catch it!

Film Name : Yevade Subrahmanyam

Cast : Nani, Vijay Devarakonda, Malavika Nair and Ritu Varma

Direction : Nag Ashwin

Genre : Drama

Likes : Script, cinematography and Nani

Dislikes : Rajesh Vivek’s characterisation

By Radhika Rajamani