Midhunam : Movie Review

                Midhunam is the kind of film that raises the bar for art in telugu cinema. With a pure telugu outlook, the film walks straight into our hearts reminding us of our humble roots. The subjects dealt in the movie are not very uncommon in most of today’s families. Be it dream chasing or money making, overseas migration has been the most common trend in Indian families in the past few decades. The movie deals with the pathos of the elderly who are left behind by these overseas-settled children. However, the movie is not to be mistaken for an emotion filled drama. The movie runs on a very light and positive note, mainly highlighting or may I dare say guide-lining, the way the life of a geriatric couple would or should be.

                The movie beautifully showcases the daily life of a lovely old married couple – the ups of it, the downs of it, each other’s idiosyncrasies and most importantly their involvement and engagement with themselves and life itself. Filmed with only two characters and a limited indoor space, the movie is one of its kind. Even with such limited canvas, the director Tanikella Bharani has produced an amazing work or art, which is sure to stay in our hearts for a very long time. The South Indian singing star, S.P.B., dons the role of ‘Appadaasu’, a retired teacher. Undoubtedly the best performance of his career, ‘Appadaasu’ earns S.P.B. a respectful position among the acting fraternity of Tollywood. That being said, the performance is not without flaws. There are at times where the actor goes slightly overboard. However, being a unique film of only two actors, it is a consolation for SPB that these are easily forgiven as traits of the character. Lakshmi was astonishingly real in the film, perfectly fitting into the role of ‘Bucchi Lakshmi’, a hardworking homemaker. It is difficult to imagine that role with someone else.

                The dialogues and songs of the film, like the film itself, bring life to Telugu as a language and as a culture. This film is an extraordinary attempt by the writer-actor turned director, Bharani and deserves unconditional kudos. Reinstating Telugu in Tollywood, the songs are miles away from the ‘Telgish’ songs of today’s telugu movies. I love every aspect of the film – the language, the actors, the plot, the message and the food in the film! The movie is an undoubted contestant for Nandi and I hope it is recognized with a national award to signify the need of such movies in Tollywood and other regional cinema.

[P.S.: I wish I could write the review in Telugu. The only reason I did not is because I can’t. However, English is only a lingua franca, but Telugu is my mother tongue]

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