Andhra Pradesh

A spoof on factionism Film Review

Rocking pair: Naresh and Farzana in a scene from the film.

Film: Seema Sastry

(Telugu)

Cast: Naresh, Farzana

Direction:

Nageswar Reddy

Most films these days suffer from anaemic, deficient comedy and such witless projects have created mistrust amongst movie buffs because they have to endure the cacophonous, self-congratulatory plagiarism. Seema Sastry is different and Naresh plays the role of a temple priest in love with a factionist’s daughter. How his family joins his mission and how the faction leader undergoes a change of heart forms the crux of the story.

Naresh simply rocks though his dialogue delivery is incoherent. All those wanting to see this film, looking for logic or common sense should look elsewhere. This one is a perfect film to pass time – it’s a spoof on faction families in Rayalseema and the simple, non-violent Brahmin family and a lovely underlying message that love transcends communities.

While the first half is breezy, the post interval scenes are hilarious, insanely zany. It begins to stretch towards the end and the finale is sheer pandemonium with the blasting of sumos, the audience didn’t seem to mind the jokes on thigh slapping and flatulence. It also runs the risk of running endless repetition of stale gags and unrepentant references on caste.

There is nothing to complain on this front as the director targets love for the ‘Seema’ land, hurling bombs, weapons on par with the eating habits of the priests’s family.

Farzana looks sweet and the best part of the film is the cast, every comedian does his/her role well. Director Nageswar Reddy ensures good ensemble acting. Hardly any romance between Farzana and Naresh and there is dream sequence for every sneeze and cough which helps in navigating the chaos. Photography is reasonably good and editing clumsy. This film will not stop you from smiling, go for it!

Y. Sunita Chowdhary

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