‘Sankranti Vasthoonam’ movie review: Anil Ravipudi and Venkatesh’s film delivers absurd laughs

Aishwarya Rajesh, Venkatesh and Meenakshi Choudhary in ‘Sankranti Vastunam’. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The character named Bully Raju, played by child artist Revanth, uses abusive language which irritates even the elders. We hear some of these words while the rest remains hidden due to the background score. A section of the audience may wonder why the filmmaker makes a boy say things beyond his age. Next Minute Writer-Director Anil Ravipudi’s Telugu film sankrantiki vasthunam The reason is that young minds have been corrupted by the abundance of content on digital platforms! Bulli Raju’s actions in the opening scene tear the house apart and set the tone for the film. Working with Venkatesh Daggubati for the third time after the hilarious comedy F2 And F3Anil knows that his target audience just wants a few good laughs. Logical reasoning and political correctness may take a back seat. Within that framework, the film offers many laughs.

sankrantiki vasthunam Keeps things simple and fun, with occasional nods to repeating tropes and observations about changing trends in mainstream Telugu cinema. A few decades ago, it was not very unusual to see films built around a male protagonist, his wife and a girlfriend. The drama revolving around former police officer YD Raju (Venkatesh, nicknamed Yama Dharma Raju by his colleagues), the police officer and his ex-girlfriend Meenakshi (Meenakshi Choudhary) and his wife Bhagyalakshmi (Aishwarya Rajesh) is reminiscent of that era. It also mentions Venkatesh’s previous film intalo ilaalu vantintalo priyuralu,

The stage is comically set for this aspect of the play, with Raju invoking divine references. The humor in the film involving women is silly and borders on farce. Venkatesh, Meenakshi and Aishwarya go with the flow as the narrative doesn’t stop entertaining. Venkatesh’s monologue in the final parts takes the cake. In any other film, if this monologue had been presented in a serious tone, it would have faced the wrath of the women. The makers of this film know that their story will not be taken seriously.

This is a film in which the crime element including the kidnapping drama has been presented in a light manner. This is a familiar template. A high profile personality is kidnapped, a rescue operation begins, a ransom is demanded from a criminal… you get the idea. It is no surprise that YD Raju has been called in for this job. Several others join the mix, including Raju’s authoritarian and suspicious wife and unstable son, Bulli Raju. The film also introduces some other strange characters. Watch Upendra Limaye as the jailer and Sai Kumar as an officer who has to deal with his egotistical proposals.

visually, sankrantiki vasthunam There is a riot of colors in the districts of Andhra Pradesh in line with the Sankranti festival. Where it falters is an extended action sequence in which it’s easy to see that the team filmed against a green screen backdrop and relied on visual effects afterward. However, the outrageous turn of events ensures that the audience’s focus remains on the fun element.

Bheems Cesarolio’s catchy songs, especially ‘Godari Gattu’, work to the film’s advantage. In some scenes, the score is reminiscent of Anirudh Ravichander’s work. Perhaps this was intentional as one of the final action sequences is designed like a Venkatesh police action drama. It seems as if Venkatesh, with the help of Anil Ravipudi, is insisting that he has his share in the action dramas that have been dominating Indian cinema recently.

It is commendable that the narrative addresses the age difference between Venkatesh and the female characters. The film doesn’t make him invincible. There are references to the character’s lack of fitness, creaking muscles and bones after leaving the police force. Pop culture reference, from Pushpa’s ‘Will not bend’ Kalki’s ‘Repati Kosam’, increase the fun.

Some of the humor in the early parts borders on adult comedy and a later scene, which includes a joke about homosexual relationships, seems out of place in a so-called family entertainer.

Venkatesh is effortless in his parts and most of the humor works mainly because it reminds of his popularity among family audiences and his knack for comedy. Aishwarya Rajesh’s performance suits her character; She is as naive as a wife who slowly reveals her true colors. Meenakshi, trying her hand at comedy for the first time, is effective as a serious cop and a bitter, jealous girlfriend. Amidst all the illogical humor, the narrative establishes the individuality of his character when he has to make a choice at a critical juncture.

In the end a social message is presented without any preachy tone.

sankrantiki vasthunam Doesn’t take himself seriously. Some of the humor in the film may be absurd and throwaway, but the film largely serves as a fun outing.