Release date : March 11, 2021
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Naveen Polishetty, Priyadarshi, Rahul Ramakrishna, Faria Abdullah, Brahmaji, Brahmanandam, Vennela Kishore.
Director : Anudeep K V
Producer : Nag Ashwin
Music Director : Radhan
Cinematography : Siddam Manohar
Editor : Abhinav Danda
Cast: Priyadarshi, Harshith Malgireddy, Mani Aegurla, Sri Gouri Priya Reddy, Vannarn, Srikanth Palle, Ravinder Bommakanti and Anusha Netha.
Director: Uday Gurrala
Producer: Priyanka Dutt, Swapna Dutt
DOP: Uday Gurrala, Shyam Dupati
Music Director: Sweekar Agasthi
Editor: Hari Shankar TN
So, continuing the series of reviewing movies and shows on OTT, our today’s pick is Mail, the latest Telugu film on AHA. Let’s now see how it is.
Story
The story is set in the early 2000s when the small villages were also getting to know what a computer is. Mail is chapter one in the series of Kambalapally Kathalu. Hybath(Priyadarshi) is a small-time photographer who brings a computer to his village and attracts the youth. Ravi(Harshith reddy) is the one who is super curious about the computer. He creates a mail-id and one fine day, gets a fake email that he has won a sum of 2 crores as a lottery. How does Ravi’s life change after this email is the whole story of the film?
Plus Points
The story of the film is quite cute and is set up nicely in the small town of Telangana. The earthy characters, the innocence of youth, and how small-town people perceive issues are showcased nicely. Harishith Reddy, who plays the main lead has done well in the film. He acts so naturally in the role of a confused youth and the way the young actor showcases excitement, fear, and interest in learning computers is good to see.
Last but not the least, Priyadarshi is amazing in his small but important role. His subtle comedy and fun expressions are solid in the film. Priyadarshi is the sheet anchor and his simple facial expressions convey a lot in the film. The comedy generated through the computer is handled well. The climax part of the film is also justified quite naturally.
The film has a few nostalgic moments that remind you of the old school lives in small towns. The romantic thread is also good. More than anything the honesty in the characters is the best part of the film. A panchayat debate on viruses is super fun.
Minus Points
One of the biggest drawbacks of the film is the slow pace. Though the story and characters are established well, the narration is very slow and might go against a section of the audience. Priyadarshi’s role should have been etched a bit more effectively in the film.
Also, the characters and how they are brought into the story should have been a bit more effective. The film is not mainstream and has a documentary kind of a feel. Something should have been done to make this aspect more mainstream so that the effect would have been better.
Technical Aspects
Mail is super strong in the technical department. The production values of the film are top-notch and the amazing camerawork showcases the village atmosphere in a cute manner. Dialogues are earthy, the production design is top-notch and the whole writing has honesty. Editing could have been better. Costumes and make up looks apt.
Coming to the director Uday Gurrala, he has done a decent job with the film. His writing is sincere and that is showcased superbly through the performance of the star cast. But he has delayed the narration a bit with his slow pace and if the film would have been one and a half hours, the impact would have been even superb.
Verdict
On the whole, Mail is a cute drama, that has some sincere performances and an interesting storyline. The innocence of the youth in small towns, situational comedy, and befitting climax are good assets. Barring the very slow pace and a few dragged scenes, Mail is a film that can be given a shot for its honest narration.
Rating: 3/5
Starring : Priyadarshi, Sayaji Shinde, Shashank, Kalpika Ganesh
Director : Abhilash Reddy
Producers : Zee 5, Annapurna Studios
So, continuing the series of reviewing movies and shows during the lockdown period, our today’s pick is the new and original Telugu web series called Loser. Directed by Abhilash Reddy, this web series is available on Zeee 5.
What’s it about?
Loser is set in three different time zones of 2007, 1995, and 1985. The 2007 story is about Suri Yadav(Priyadarshi) an air rifle shooter whose aim is to make it to his state team. In the year 1995, Ruhi(Annie, Kalpika) is a young badminton player from a very orthodox Muslim family who wants to make it big in her field. Then, in the year 1985, Wilson(Shashank) is an aspiring Ranji player who wants his place in the Indian cricket team. Everyone is struggling to make it big in their own field and all these stories are connected. How they are and what happens to them in the due course of time, forms the crux of this web series.
What’s good?
What impresses you first is the story written by director Abhilash Reddy. He sets this web series in three time zones beautifully and each of the stories has depth, solid emotion, and reliability. In any film or a web series, only the lead cast gets good roles but in Loser, every single character is superbly written and has equal importance.
Priyadarshi is turning to be an all-rounder and does amazingly well as Suri Yadav. The way he carries his role as a helpless sportsman is very good to see. All his scenes with his brother and most importantly his girlfriend played by Pavani Gangireddy are amazing. The woman empowerment angle showcased in the web series is quite strong and needs to be appreciated. Komalee Prasad was also amazing in her role and her emotional expressions were too good.
But it is Shashank who walks away with the cake as Wison. All these years of wait and struggle for the actor have come true with Loser as he is the best part. He as an aggressive bowler to a very silent old man, Shashank has shown it all. Be it his body language, dialogue delivery, or emotions, he gets his due and proves what an actor he can turn out to be.
Lastly, Kalpika Ganesh is also a shocker as the elder Ruhi. She too gets an intense role and excels in it. Kalpika was superb in all the emotion-filled scenes with her husband in the film. Pavani Gangi Reddy is also amazing in her role. The connections to all the stories have been established superbly. Director Abhilash gets full marks for his work and is a talent to watch out for.
What’s bad?
The story of the film is quite simple and has traces of Jersey even though the story is different. Also, the pace in the seventh and eight episodes becomes a bit slow. There is absolutely no clarity as to why Kalipka Muslim husband behaves in such a way with his wife.
Final Word?
Overall, there is no denying the fact that Loser is one of the best web series made in Telugu so far. It has strong emotions, triumph, purpose, and moreover some of the best performances in recent times. All the ten episodes are superbly narrated and executed by Abhilash Reddy and make up for a very engaging watch. Don’t Miss It.
Rating: 3.5/5
