Will Sriram, Avika Gor starrer 10th Class Diaries recreate the 96 magic?

PSV Garudavega’s cinematographer Anji has directed the film that also stars Vennela Rama Rao, Srinivasa Reddy, Archana, Himaja and Sivabalaji

A scene in 10th Class Diaries

It’s very evident that Trisha, Vijay Sethupathi’s nostalgic romance 96 is the basis behind cinematographer ‘Garudavega’ Anji’s directorial debut 10th Class Diaries. The latter, headlined by Sriram and Avika Gor, much like the former is about a reunion of school friends, where the leads play childhood sweethearts experiencing several highs and lows in their relationship. Will there be a happy ending in store unlike the bitter-sweet climax in 96?

The biggest challenge while being inspired by a film as iconic as 96 is to recreate the nostalgia and be as good as the original, even if it doesn’t better it. Here, Sriram and Avika Gor have a memorable childhood but a dark incident forces them to part ways, with the former not even being aware of his mistake. The twist here is also the fact that Avika, unlike Trisha, doesn’t attend the reunion for the same reason, in a bid to avoid an awkward encounter with Sriram.

10th Class Diaries should offer abundant scope for humour, good music and emotional depth - precisely everything that’s needed for a film to strike a chord with audiences. The coming together of an ensemble cast, also including Vennela Rama Rao, Archana, Himaja, Srinivasa Reddy, Sivabalaji, Satyam Rajesh, too is an additional motivation to watch it. The elephant in the room, though, is that, will it have the ability to pull crowds to theatres?

This is an ideal phase for Sriram to resurrect his career prospects - in fact, he has two releases in June. His web show for ZEE5, Recce releases on June 17 while 10th Class Diaries hits theatres on June 24 - incidentally, both of them star Sivabalaji too. As a lead though, the fate of 10th Class Diaries will be crucial for Sriram. Even for Avika Gor, who returned to Telugu cinema after a sabbatical last year, the success of 10th Class Diaries will be a shot in the arm.

Cinematographed by the director Anji himself, 10th Class Diaries has music by Suresh Bobbili and is edited by Prawin Pudi. S Chinna has come up with the background score. Achyuta Rama Rao and Ravi Teja Manyam have produced the film under SR Movie Makers and Anvitha Avani Creations. Ajay Mysore is the presenter.

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