An emotional rollercoaster

Every week there is a love story to savour in Tollywood. But only a few touch the heart or strike a chord with you. ‘Krishnamma Kalipindi Iddarini’ (KKI) is one such story. Marked by Sudheer’s brilliant performance, it is highly emotional and also imparts some values.

It begins with Krishna (Sudheer) coming to India from the US to his village for an alumni reunion (of school students) and reminisces his past. The film, initially set in the village of Krishnapuram, looks at the life and love of Krishna at three different phases of his life – as a young boy, a college student and a mature young man.

It is in school that Krishna meets Radha (Nanditha), who joins as his classmate. He is smitten by her. A boy, who is least interested in education and is happy to graze his father’s sheep and goats, suddenly develops interest in studies due to her.

Though he is in head-over-in- heels in love he does not reveal it to her and thinks she may have seen his inscription of the magic three words on the rocks of river Krishna! The two drift apart thanks to Radha’s mother (played by Pragati). They meet in Hyderabad briefly again – courtesy higher education – but Krishna fails to profess his love to her.

Krishna gets a job in Hyderabad, and later lands up in the US from where he comes to his village for the alumni reunion. Before going back to his work place, he wants to meet Radha. At the core of the film is a love story which is pure. The innocence and vulnerability is handled to perfection.

The film has many of the commercial trappings like songs, fights, dance etc... And it is interspersed with some inane comedy which doesn’t go well with the narrative. With a good story at his disposal, the director could have curbed his instincts to play to the masses.

The pace of the film dips occasionally. The emotional content, however, supercedes all this. Despite some drawbacks and falling into the commercial vortex, Chandru has ensured a largely realistic film which one does not get to see often.

Sudheer steals the show with his intense and subtle performance. He looks convincing in all the three age groups and carries the film on his shoulders. He has indeed matured as an actor and this is his best bet till date! Nanditha Raj supports him well with her graceful performance. Both make a good pair on screen.

Some of the locales in the film are really picturesque, particularly the water falls. Producer L Sridhar has ensured good production values. Overall, ‘KKI’ makes for a good watch despite the high emotional quotient and a sense of déjà vu.

Movie : Krishnamma Kalipindi Iddarini

Cast : Sudheer Babu and Nanditha

Direction : Chandru

Genre : Romantic comedy

Likes : Script and performances by lead pair

Dislikes : Songs, comedy and pace

By Radhika Rajamani