Rajkumar Kasireddy, Nithiin Narne and Ankith Koyya in ‘Aay’
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association
Within the Godavari belt in Andhra Pradesh, ‘aay’, uttered at instances in a sing-song tone, is a phrase that stands for acknowledgement. The Telugu movie Aay, with the tagline ‘Mem pals andi’ (we’re pals), written and directed by Anji Ok 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 obstacles.
Aay (Telugu)
Director: Anji Ok Maniputhra
Solid: Nithiin Narne, Nayan Sarika, Ankith Koyya, Rajkumar Kasireddy
Storyline: A slice-of-life story of friendship, romance and caste divisions within the Godavari area.
The movie is ready in Amalapuram through the monsoon season. The rains witness random ramblings amongst pals, 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. Similar 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 life of individuals within the locality. How the village of us view the idea of working from dwelling, leads to some 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 introduced as somebody with a sensible strategy. The foreboding of honour killing is hinted at, however the movie holds again from discussing the darkish prospects.
The humour that pervades by means of the movie is each its power and Achilles heel. Within the later parts, when gags punctuate even probably critical moments, it dilutes the gravity of the state of affairs. A operating gag that includes an aged man hooked to innuendo-laced movies, as an example, will get repetitive.
Even among the many three pals, 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 finest traces. Ankith, as a reliable buddy, besides when he will get distracted by his woman love, enacts his half successfully. After final yr’s campus hit MAD, Nithiin takes on the mantle of a solo lead. He’s enough and there may be scope for enchancment. Nayan Sarika has a simple display presence. The supporting actors, significantly the dad and mom, 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 fantastic thing about the Godavari area.
Within the last parts, when the narrative strikes right into a zone the place caste points must 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 approach of stating that the necessity for social change might be highlighted by means of lighthearted narratives and nonetheless be efficient. In these instances of overdose of bloodshed on display, this strategy is refreshing.
Aay is presently operating in theatres
