‘Muthayya’ film assessment: This charming Telugu movie about long-cherished desires pays homage to cinema

Sudhakar Reddy in a scene from ‘Muthayya’
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association

Watching director Bhaskhar Maurya’s Telugu movie Muthayya, now streaming on ETV Win, seems like shedding the trimmings of city life and settling into an unhurried rural setting, surrounded by affable characters. The story centres on a 70-year-old man from a village in Telangana, who desires of changing into a movie actor and seeing himself on the large display screen — simply as soon as in his lifetime. Age is probably not on his facet, however his zest for all times stays undiminished.

Humour weaves gently by way of the narrative. In an early scene, two males climb a water tank to unveil a banner. Somebody remarks, within the Telangana dialect, “Yem peekindu?” (What did he obtain?). We quickly discover out. On the coronary heart of the story is Muthayya (performed by Sudhakar Reddy of Balagamfame), who owns a modest plot of land that overlooks open fields and distant hills. Every night, he retreats to his easy dwelling on the land, sharing a drink or two along with his a lot youthful good friend Malli (Arun Kumar), who runs a cycle restore store within the village.

Birds chirp, Karthik Rodriguez’s earthy rating performs gently within the background, and cinematographer Divakar Mani captures the fantastic thing about the hamlet with out embellishment. The narrative gently unveils the ordinariness of Muthayya’s day by day life — his strained relationship with a son burdened by monetary pressures, a kind-hearted daughter-in-law, and a cheerful grandson.

At an age when most villagers are content material to steer quiet lives, Muthayya is stirred by his long-held dream of changing into an actor. Posters of movie stars encompass his mirror, and he usually reminisces about his failed makes an attempt in Madras.

One memorable scene options Muthayya lamenting the state of recent cinema, but insisting on watching new movies to remain updated with up to date performing kinds. It’s these smaller, reflective moments — greater than grand narrative arcs — that make Muthayya linger within the thoughts.

The movie intermittently touches on Malli’s love story, village drama troupes, and the youthful technology dabbling in brief movies and Instagram reels. Director Bhaskhar Maurya permits the story to breathe, taking its time with unhurried pacing which will take a look at the impatient viewer, particularly within the first half. However it’s this very rhythm that lets the characters settle into your coronary heart.

Because the plot gently gathers momentum, with life presenting Muthayya a last probability at fulfilling his dream, the movie turns into a battle between aspiration and resignation. The silver-haired, paunchy Muthayya may simply stay a neighborhood stage star, particularly when confronted with opportunists and monetary constraints. But you can’t assist however root for him.

A lot of the movie’s soul lies in its performances. Sudhakar Reddy and Arun Kumar, supported by a well-cast ensemble (a lot of whom hail from the area), anchor the story with authenticity. Their unassuming presence blends seamlessly into the agricultural material the movie goals to depict.

The ultimate sequence pays heartfelt homage to the communal pleasure of cinema, unfolding in a means each surprising and deeply rewarding.

At slightly below two hours, Muthayya is a young, unhurried story that reminds us there’s a wealthy, grounded world past the spectacle of mainstream Telugu cinema.

(Muthayya is streaming on ETV Win)