Andhra Pradesh   

Different and refreshing

Colourful: Swati in a still from the film.

Movie: Asta Chemma (Telugu)

Cast: Swati, Nani, Srinivas

Direction: Indraganti Mohan Krishna

‘Asta Chemma’ is genuinely a crazy, funny and an enjoyable film. It is probably the right launch pad for Swati, the TV anchor who makes her debut as a heroine and also for Srinivasa Avasarala, a newcomer who steals the film single handedly. There are two more freshers, Nani and Bhargavi, who are completely at ease and show enough promise. The director leaves the trio on their own to perform and they keep one engaged dishing out natural performances. There is more to the heap of fun. The writer comes up with a plethora of subtle and whacky one liners and despite the drama being loud and the music not so catchy, one can watch this film without a second thought. Swati looks beautiful, no heavy make up and she could present herself a lot better if sheds a few more kilos.

All she does is looking happy but her expressions come out effectively. Soul of the film, the cherubic girl plays a copywriter Lavanaya who is obsessed with matinee idol Mahesh Babu and has resolved to marry someone who bears the same name. With the actor’s name tattooed on her arm, she is a nightmare for her aunt who wants to see her married and her neighbour Anand (Srinivas) who is harassed by the constant, blaring music of ‘Pokiri’ that sweeps into his home.

Anand befriends Ram Babu (Nani) who moves to the city with a new name Mahesh and becomes instrumental in initiating the Lavanya –Ram Babu love story. All hell breaks loose when the truth is out and the rest of the story is about how the ensemble cast convince Lavanya that there is nothing in a name. The writing is crisp, dialogues are colloquial and natural. The narration is simple and adds something to the film that it makes it different and refreshing. Director Mohankrishna disappointed with ‘Maya Bazaar’ but here he brings in a film that has merits to work big time.

Y.SUNITA CHOWDHARY

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