Swathimuthyam review: A sensible, charming wedding comedy bolstered by fine performances

3/5

Story:

Balamurali Krishna is a humble government employee on the cusp of marriage. When Bala nearly gives up hope on the matches coming his way, cupid strikes him as he meets Bhagya Lakshmi. The latter takes time to trust him and just when it looks like any other ‘they live happily ever after’ tale, there’s mayhem. Will Bala get out of the mess and marry Bhagya Lakshmi?

Review:

In times when every second Telugu film is hard-selling its larger-than-life appeal and universality, Swathimuthyam is a rooted Telugu story made with modest ambitions and succeeds big time. The film is all about a bunch of ordinary, life-like characters in a small town placed amidst a wacky scenario and the resolution of a simple conflict between two families.

Swathimuthyam is a dramedy that knows its scope and doesn’t punch above its weight. The film’s charm lies in its ordinariness and how it captures the oddities of daily life in a small town. Bala is bereft of the cinematic machismo attributed to most male leads - he’s timid, warm, innocent and vulnerable. The girl Bhagi is independent, confident, fun-loving and puts her foot down when necessary.

When Bala and Bhagi’s worlds meet, there are conflicts but the two complete each other in more ways than one. The film, thankfully, isn’t just about them. It’s about younger brothers dating their classmates, parents complaining their children haven’t grown up yet, gossiping neighbours, inquisitive colleagues and also relatives with caustic tongues at gatherings. It brims with life and colour.

The film loses its near-perfect momentum with a trivial, almost farcical conflict that’s hard to buy. However, films like Swathimuthyam aren’t about plots, conflicts or perfection. Debutant Lakshman K Krishna’s primary strength is his grasp over the small-town backdrop and the characters that inhabit this universe - it’s evident that they’re a product of his life experiences.

Lakshman exaggerates characters adequately to lend a cinematic flavour to the film. It would’ve been convenient for the filmmaker to label the earlier generation old-fashioned and get Bala to lecture them about it. He, instead, sees the world through these characters and doesn’t judge them. These are simple lower middle-class families that come with their own set of eccentricities.

The director is smart while utilising the relatable lead characters to sell the film but gives the excellent supporting cast their due and creative freedom to make the most out of their roles. This isn’t the first time one’s noticing Rao Ramesh or Pragathi Suresh or Naresh or Goparaju Ramana in a family entertainer but it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they’re the backbones of the film.

In Rao Ramesh, you see a father who appears brash and still has his heart in the right place in a crisis situation. In Goparaju Ramana, you spot a tantrum-throwing relative who’s petty and broad-minded in different situations. In Naresh, you spot a father who goes out of the way to please the groom’s family and his near and dear.

The women, in comparison, like Pragathi Suresh and Surekha Vani, are a domesticated lot (the writer-director compensates for that with a progressive role like Bhagi). While the first hour rides on the effervescence of its lead cast - the refreshing Ganesh and the assured Varsha Bollamma, the supporting actors, also including Vennela Kishore, Harshavardhan, Subbaraju, Sivannarayana Naripeddi rule the roost post-intermission.

For Varsha, this is a familiar territory on the lines of Middle Class Melodies and she fits the part well. Ganesh, despite being a first-timer underplays the role with ease. There’s a song or two in excess in the second half and the film ends too conveniently and still leaves you with a wide grin. The dialogues are flavourful and provide the license for the actors to go all out with their comedy timing.

Handling a sensitive issue like sperm donation, one could’ve taken the slapstick - EVV Satyanarayana - route and pandered to the galleries, but Lakshman Krishna knows a thing or two about not crossing the line. Suryaa’s well-lit frames and Mahati Swara Sagar’s lively soundtrack contribute to the film’s chirpy ambience.

Verdict:

Swathimuthyam is a well-made, feel-good family entertainer timed right for the festive season. The film is full of budding talents but the old-world simplicity of the story gives it depth. Ganesh and Varsha Bollamma make for an appealing on-screen pair, though the real show stealers are Rao Ramesh and Goparaju Ramana.