Gandhi Thatha Chettu Review: Sukriti Veni's remarkable performance lights up this endearing social drama

3/5

Gandhi Thatha Chettu Story

Ramachandraiah (Ananda Chakrapani) names his granddaughter Gandhi (Sukriti Veni) because of his strong patriotism. One day, corporate giants arrive in the village and urge everyone to sell their land to build a sugarcane factory. However, Ramachandraiah refuses to comply, as his beloved, age-old neem tree stands in the way. Despite facing immense pressure, he does not back down. When he faces betrayal from his son, who agrees to sell the land, he entrusts the responsibility of saving it to his teenage granddaughter, Gandhi. The rest of the story follows Gandhi's efforts to protect her land and save the entire village.

Gandhi Thatha Chettu Review

Gandhi Thatha Chettu was written and directed by Padmavathi Malladi and has been in production for quite some time. The film is particularly special as it marks the debut of Sukriti Veni, daughter of Pushpa director Sukumar, as the main lead. The director sets the story in a small village, focusing on a teenage girl who stands up for her rights and fulfills her grandfather's dream.

Though the story is simple, the presentation is quite decent. The narrative touches on themes like saving trees, keeping villages free from corporate encroachment, and empowering a girl child to stand up for her rights, become independent, and fight for others. These aspects are effectively portrayed through the character of Gandhi, who shines especially in the second half of the film.

Also Read: Sivarapalli Review: The Rag Mayur series is earthy, entertaining and honest 

However, to reach this point, the story unnecessarily drags through routine scenes, village issues, and family drama. The conversations between the grandfather and granddaughter, the significance of the key neem tree, and its importance to the story are depicted superbly. The emotions conveyed through Gandhi’s character are solid, and director Padmavathi beautifully highlights issues such as child marriage.

A standout scene where the protagonist tonsures her head to avoid child marriage is one of the film’s highlights. While the climax is somewhat overdramatic, it is handled well overall. The film avoids commercial elements, taking a serious tone, which slows the pace and requires time for the story to grow on the audience—especially the character of Gandhi, played by Sukriti Veni. Her portrayal may seem naïve at first, but her transformation through emotional moments is the film’s best aspect.

Coming to the performances, Ananda Chakrapani is perfect as the nature-loving grandfather, delivering an impactful performance during the interval scene. Sukriti Veni, making her Telugu debut, fits the role of Gandhi perfectly. She not only exudes innocence but also impresses with her acting, particularly in the second half, where her emotional depth keeps the audience engaged. Her body language and ability to carry the emotions make her performance feel like that of an experienced actor.

The performance of Rag Mayur, who plays a negative role, is also commendable. Despite limited screen time, his presence is felt, especially in the climax. Ree’s music is outstanding, capturing the true essence of Telangana with its melodies and lyrics. The production design, tree backdrop, and small-town setup are well-executed.

However, despite being under two hours, the film feels slightly lengthy and could benefit from tighter editing in the first half. Director Padmavathi emotionally narrates the story, delivering messages on saving nature, educating the girl child, and fighting for one’s rights. The film’s honesty and simplicity make it an endearing watch, leaving viewers with a feel-good experience.

Gandhi Thatha Chettu Verdict

On the whole, Gandhi Thatha Chettu is an endearing coming of age drama with a remarkable debut by Sukriti Veni Bandreddi. Her performance holds you attention and the emotional message given in the film is worth a watch.

Also Read: Wife Off Review: Divya Sree's ETV Win original is a half-baked thriller