Story
Raghava Rao (Prakash Raj) is a stage thespian who announces his retirement after achieving a lot of popularity and making good enough money. This decision doesn’t go well with his wife (Ramya Krishna) and his friend Chakri (Brahmanandam). Raghava Rao has a daughter (Shivathmika Rajasekhar) and a son (Adarsh Balakrishna). On the night of his retirement, he gives away his house property to his married son and remaining cash/assets to his unmarried daughter. Raghava’s daughter-in-law (Anasuya) wants to build a 10-storied apartment building so that they can make a lot of money. His daughter falls in love with a musician (Rahul Sipligunj). Rest of the story is about what happens to Raghava Rao and his wife who are full of self-pride when their kids take unfavorable decisions.

Artists Performance

Prakash Raj has given superb performance in the titular role. It was Brahmanandam who took us by surprise with portrayal of pathos. He is excellent. The hospital conversation between Prakash Raj and Brahmanandam is heart-melting. Ramya Krishna played the role of a wife who stands for her husband. She is extraordinary. Anasuya Bharadwaj should be appreciated for taking up a role that has gray shades. She excels in it. Shivathmika Rajasekhar is a natural talent and she is very good. The role of musician suited the actor Rahul Sipligunj. He just has to behave in the role. Adash Balakrishna who had been playing aggressive characters has done a meek character who struggles between wife and father. He is good. All other actors are aptly cast.

Story - screenplay - direction: This film is an official remake of 2016 Marathi classic titled ‘Nata Samrat’. Nana Patekar played the title role. Though it has the backdrop of stage plays, the core story revolves around parents and children relationship which is a universal emotion. Maharashtra is known for stage play culture even today, Krishna Vamsi has done a remake for the first time in his career. I haven’t seen the original. Krishna Vamsi has succeeded in getting emotions right. And extracted great performances from everybody. This film is narrated in a flashback format where kids are searching for the missing parents. The screenplay sustains our interest. The character of Rangamarthanda is very realistic. Those people who achieve pinnacle of success have a pride factor in-built in their personality and they tend to be very frank in their conversations/meetings with outsiders. Basically they lack diplomacy. This aspect puts Ranga Marthanda character in a tight spot in the 2nd half. Krishna Vamsi has made this film with a lot of conviction and it's evident in the final output.

Other departments: Music by maestro Ilayaraja is an asset. The song “Puvvai Virise Pranam” he rendered is very efficiently used in highly emotional scenes involving Prakash Raj and Ramya Krishna. Cinematography by Raj K Nalli is very good. Dialogues by Akella Siva Prasad deserve special mention. Most of the dialogues are heart touching and philosophical. Liked the dialogue “cheppulu - kaallu” the way it was written. Also the final dialogue - Smasana Vasthantham. Production design is very apt. Lyrics by Sirivennela (Puvvai Virise) are beautifully written. Production values are decent.

Analysis: Rangamarthanda is a film that should be watched with heart. It’s a meaningful film that delves into the universal emotion of parents-children relationship when parents get older and are left with no penny. Krishna Vamsi should be appreciated for being true to the story/genre and bringing out emotions that touch our hearts. This film is not perfect. There are certain scenes that appear forced. There are certain scenes where monotony seeps in. Story of the film is predictable. But, honest direction and performances overshadow those flaws to deliver a heart-touching film that should be watched both by children and parents irrespective of their ages.