Date:07/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/07/stories/2008090750560200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Expose on corruption

Film: Okanokkappudu

Cast: Giridhar Reddy, Kiran, Sriraj

Direction: Krishna Nori

Okanokkapudu was shot in just 11 days and is touted as the Telugu film industry’s first ever high-definition digital format film. The film opens with four young men whiling away their time, angry and frustrated that they could not get through the interview of the Public Service examination. They vow to bump off a corrupt IAS officer who wronged them. They are shocked to see the same officer walk into their flat by mistake and waste no time in tying him up and put him through mental torture by putting all kinds of academic questions at him.

Intermittently, through small episodes, the director throws light on the background of these four men - how their families are made to mortgage life and property to see their only ambition fulfilled.

The film begins on a boring note but very soon the director has the audience engrossed with an engaging screenplay. He manages to retain the interest of the audience right till the end where the film ends with a twist in the plot. He has very clearly focused on the story. The dialogues are incisive and the little known actors chip in convincing performances.

The director takes a dig at bureaucracy, portraying the auctioning of government posts, how every thing comes for a price. The film provides no solution but just succeeds in presenting the system as it is.

Y. SUNITA CHOWDHARY