Film: Maranthen Mannithen
Starring: Aadhi,Taapsee Pannu, Lakshmi Manchu,Sandeep Kishan
Director: Nagendra Kumar
Producer: Lakshmi Manchu
Banner: Manchu Entertainments
Music: Ilayaraja
Story
Story is set in a remote village in Rajahmundry in the year 1986. Malli (Aadi) and Chitra (Lakshmi Manchu) are newly married couple yet have few differences. A flood hits the village badly and the couple stuck in the flood loses hope on their survival and so decides to reveal their past to each other, also trying to save each other. While Malli reveals about his past love Sarala (Tapsee), Chitra tells about her admiration for Suri Babu (Sundeep Kishan) and her dark past. How does the duo react after knowing about each other and will Malli and Chitra survive the flood forms the rest of the story.
Performances
Aadi is quite good as fisherman and he delivers his best. Sundeep Kishan is natural at his acting and is impressive in his role.
Tapsee looked beautiful as village girl and her role as a seductress is a bit bold but was well portrayed.
Lakshmi Manchu does a commendable job. She shows sheer acting skills and certainly her presence is an added advantage to the movie. Other cast is quite adequate in their assigned roles.
Technical Analysis
Kumar Nagendra direction is good while the screenplay is predictable as the movie progress. Ilayaraja’s music is one of the assets of the film and the background score elevates the happenings. Cinematography by Palani Kumar is laudable and all the flood scenes are brilliantly captured. Editing could have been better. Production values by Manchu Entertainments banner are good.
Analysis
Director Kumar Nagendra needs appreciation for his commendable efforts trying out a distinct rural backdrop film which isn’t routine. The first half of the film is good with cinematography, music and taking standing out. Aadhi and Tapsee’s story keeps entertaining and Lakshmi Manchu’s performance with Sundeep Kishan is quite impressive.
However, the second half misses the needed magic with the lack of emotional depth in the content and the pace drops. The flood scenes are superbly captured and starting scenes amazes you with good visuals and background score. There is more melodrama in the second half but the scenes lack depth and are unconvincing with few loopholes. Cinematography, music and the first half are positives of Maranthen Mannithen while the second half fails to fulfill the excitement factor after a very good first half.
Final Verdict
Maranthen Mannithen is another bold entertainer in recent times, worth a watch.