‘Aay’ film evaluate: An pleasurable, lighthearted social drama from the Godavari area

Rajkumar Kasireddy, Nithiin Narne and Ankith Koyya in ‘Aay’
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association

Within the Godavari belt in Andhra Pradesh, ‘aay’, uttered at occasions in a sing-song tone, is a phrase that stands for acknowledgement. The Telugu movie Aay, with the tagline ‘Mem mates andi’ (we’re mates), written and directed by Anji Okay Maniputhra, is a story of friendship and romance steeped within the area’s flavour, with an undercurrent of caste divisions. Anji retains the tone lighthearted whereas conveying that relationships can overcome deep-rooted caste limitations.

The movie is ready in Amalapuram in the course of the monsoon season. The rains witness random ramblings amongst mates, the primary brush of romance and household ties which have turned bitter. Karthik (Nithiin Narne) comes dwelling someday between the primary and second lockdown, since working from house is the brand new norm. His childhood buddies Subbu (Rajkumar Kasireddy) and Hari (Ankith Koyya) are nonetheless loitering round aimlessly. 

Anji is in no rush. Identical to the small city that plods alongside at its personal tempo, soaking within the season’s rains, the movie strikes at an unhurried tempo, capturing the existence of individuals within the locality. How the village of us view the idea of working from dwelling, leads to a couple enjoyable moments. Humour woven round day-to-day happenings retains the momentum going. 

Nayan Sarika and Nithiin Narne

When Pallavi (Nayan Sarika) enters the image, issues start to alter between the chums. Nonetheless, Anji retains issues breezy and easy. Slowly, the director unravels the deeper points. When Pallavi confesses that she grew up in a family involved with caste-driven relationships and therefore didn’t consider crossing the road, she is offered as somebody with a sensible method. The foreboding of honour killing is hinted at, however the movie holds again from discussing the darkish prospects.

The humour that pervades by way of the movie is each its energy and Achilles heel. Within the later parts, when gags punctuate even doubtlessly severe moments, it dilutes the gravity of the scenario. A working gag that includes an aged man hooked to innuendo-laced movies, as an example, will get repetitive. 

Even among the many three mates, some comedian parts really feel trivial and stretched after some time. However the camaraderie between the trio and the performances, particularly by Rajkumar and Ankith, makes up for it. Rajkumar is gregarious, as required for his character and will get among the greatest strains. Ankith, as a reliable buddy, besides when he will get distracted by his woman love, enacts his half successfully. After final 12 months’s campus hit MAD, Nithiin takes on the mantle of a solo lead. He’s ample and there may be scope for enchancment. Nayan Sarika has a straightforward display presence. The supporting actors, notably the mother and father, painting on a regular basis eventualities as lived-in and actual. Ram Miriyala’s music, Ajay Arasada’s background rating and Sameer Kalyani’s visuals complement the uncooked, rustic great thing about the Godavari area. 

Within the ultimate parts, when the narrative strikes right into a zone the place caste points have to be addressed emphatically, it sidesteps the predictable route and does one thing that aligns with the tagline of the movie. Maybe that is the director’s method of stating that the necessity for social change may be highlighted by way of lighthearted narratives and nonetheless be efficient. In these occasions of overdose of bloodshed on display, this method is refreshing.

Aay is at present working in theatres