Review : Peddha Kapu 1 – Appeals to a limited audience

The promotional content of Srikanth Addala’s new film Peddha Kapu has surprised everyone. The film stars debutant Virat Karrna in the lead role and is bankrolled by Akhanda producer Miryala Ravinder Reddy. Let’s see how the film is.

 

Story:

Set in the 1980s, the film is about the journey of a common man, Peddha Kapu (Virat Karrna), who rises against all odds. The movie also deals with oppression and power politics. Two gangs, headed by Satya Rangaiah (Rao Ramesh) and Bhaiyanna (Naren), are always at loggerheads striving for power. It is also the time Sr. NTR establishes the Telugu Desam Party. How Peddha Kapu emerges as a leader amidst all the gruesome bloodshed is what the film is about.

 

Plus Points:

The story of the film is very interesting, and Srikanth Addala penned some powerful characters. Be it Virat Karrna, Anasuya, Rao Ramesh, Naren, Brigada Saga, and Pragathi Srivasthava, everyone has got their own importance in the film. Though it is his debut film, Virat delivered a fine performance. His efforts are visible in the action sequences, which are very challenging.

The second half of the film has decent drama, and this is where all the key details and twists are revealed. These scenes are well-written and executed. Rao Ramesh doesn’t have many dialogues, but the actor impresses big time with his mannerisms and expressions. Naren is powerful in his role, and so is Brigada Saga.

Amidst all the gruesome bloodshed, there is a subtle message which is conveyed well through Anasuya’s character. The actress has once again delivered a stellar performance, and she is turning out to be the go-to actress for such powerful roles. Chota K. Naidu’s cinematography is the best in recent times. The visuals are spell bounding, and Micky J. Meyer’s background score lifts the spirits.

 

Minus Points:

The screenplay style of Peddha Kapu 1 is totally different from regular films. The director establishes the narrative slowly, giving us more intricate details about what the characters are all about. The entire first half is used for character establishments, which isn’t usual in commercial cinema space. The director is very clear in his intentions, and he wanted to narrate the film in a slow manner without rushing things, and audiences who are habituated to watching fast-paced films may not like this narration format.

One can see the shades of films like Rangasthalam, Rakthachatritha, and Gangs Of Wasseypur. The extreme usage of violence and profanity is in accordance with the film’s theme, but it might be difficult for a few sections of the audience to watch those scenes.

The first half of the film is confusing at times. Though a few dialogues are written well, most of them are repetitive and loud. A few sequences could have been a lot better without dialogues, too, but the usage of repetitive words caused slight irritation.

 

Technical Aspects:

The background score by Mickey J. Meyer is excellent, while the songs are decent. Chota K. Naidu’s cinematography is nothing short of brilliance, and he is one of the biggest assets of the film. The production values are superb, and the rural atmosphere is well-created. The art department has done a great job in showcasing the proceedings during the 80’s in a good manner. The editing is in tandem with the director’s vision.

Coming to the director, Srikanth Addala, he narrated the film in the way he wished to, and this may not go well with everyone. While we can see the shades of other films, the attempt is still appreciable. The love track and the dialogue part could have been handled better.

 

Verdict:

On the whole, Peddha Kapu 1 is a bold film that appeals to a section of the audience. The film talks about power politics and oppression in a detailed manner. Though it is his debut film, Virat Karrna did extremely well, and he will go places if he chooses good scripts. He is ably supported by other artists. As discussed earlier, the director narrated the film in a slow manner, which may not be liked by everyone, and also, the movie has got extreme amount of violence. Those who are okay with slow-paced drama can give it a shot.

 

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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