Saga you wouldn’t go gaga over

Among the couple of releases every Friday, there is at least a film or two that welcomes a new set of actors, actresses and technicians who come with a “zeal for cinema” and the desire to make a mark in the industry. But it’s not always that they manage to hit the right notes. ‘Basthi’ is one such film. The debut of Shreayan, Jayasudha’s son and Pragati Chourasiya as the lead pair, the classic Romeo Juliet tale strikes again but in a tweaked sense.

Vijay (Shreayan) and Shravanti (Pragati) belong to families of arch-enemies – Ammi Raju (Mukesh Rishi), is the former’s brother while Bhikshapathi (Kota Srinivasa Rao) and Bhavani (Abhimanyu) are the latter’s father and brother respectively. After a kidnap by Vijay’s family brings Shravanti to their house, cupid strikes and the duo fall in love. ‘Basthi’ is the story of how their relationship takes a course amidst frictions.

However, don’t be misled by the title which will make you expect a mass entertainer that will probably be a display of gangsters and gore. Because there is none of that here! In fact, all the drama that is happening is so contrived that you wonder how Jayasudha allowed her son to be part of a film that seems to have no goal.

It’s no sin to ride on a formula that has been milked to death but being unable to effectively tell a story which is run-of-the-mill definitely is! The conflict of interest is not established firmly at any point of the film, gradually making you lose interest. ‘Saga of love’ is the film’s tagline. But it is very ironic that the film fails to deliver to us any depth in the couple’s relationship.

How and why they fall in love is a matter that is best left untouched because it didn’t quite reach us! It all comes across as synthetic. Considering Jayasudha’s title of ‘Sahaja nati’ (natural actor), one would expect to see an extension of her talent in her son. But sadly, Shreayan disappoints. He still needs to nurture his craft which is amateurish.

Director Vasu Manthena’s ineptitude in portraying him in a good light adds to his substandard debut. Pragati’s experience as a child actress along with her stint in television comes in handy here. She justifies her act, skillfully aided by a perfectly matched dubbing (by singer Lipsika). But sadly, she is lost in a plot that has no intensity or effectiveness.

Pravin Immadi provides no value addition to the film with his music. Even his background score is very loud and brash. Cinematography is adequate though. Vasu Mantena may have a passion for cinema. But passion alone doesn’t translate to significant cinema. The effort and good writing backed by a solid technical crew does.

Movie Name : Basthi

Cast : Kamal Haasan, Gautami, Asha Sarath, Niveda Thomas, Esther Anil

Direction : Jeethu Joseph

Genre : Family Thriller

Likes : Faithful recreation of the original, performances, new genre of filmmaking

Dislikes : Length, songs

By Pranita Jonnalagedda