Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya Movie Review

[sushmi]

Synopsis

Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya is a Telugu movie released on 30 Jul, 2020. The movie is directed by Venkatesh Maha and featured Satyadev Kancharana, Chandana Koppisetti, V.K. Naresh and K. Raghavan as lead characters.Other popular actors who were roped in for Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya is

Story: Mahesh (Satyadev) is a photographer from Araku with sweet little dreams in his eyes – to marry the girl he loves, look after his aged father well and lead a content life with dignity. But what happens when everything he dreams of is shattered in a flash?

Review: Venkatesh Maha's second film Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya is a remake of the Malayalam film Maheshinte Prathikaaram. Anyone who has seen the original will not be taken aback by the simplicity of the story penned by Syam Pushkaran, the humour found in life's daily occurrences (especially when Mahesh's father believes life is beautiful) and of course, just how lovable Mahesh's character truly is. In fact, this might just be the sweetest tale of revenge you'll ever see.

Uma Maheshwara Rao (Satyadev) is a polite man, a photographer who's not very good at his job but makes do, dislikes confrontations and seems to lack a mean bone. He's head-over-heels in love with his childhood sweetheart Swathi (Chandana Koppisetti) and dreams of marrying her someday. His closest confidante is the local healer Babji (Naresh), who's as close to him as his own father. When a chain of events result in Mahesh getting humiliated in the middle of the marketplace, he vows not to wear his footwear (you read that right) till he take revenge against the man responsible for it (he even learns Kung Fu).

But don't get us wrong, this is not one of those films where the macho lead actor will have a six-pack, rip off his shirt and beat his enemies to pulp in no time. In fact it's the exact opposite. Mahesh works up to his moment of healing and catharsis and so do we. None of the characters' actions, especially if they're wrong, are ever let go with a shrug. When she's introduced, the spunky Jyothi (Roopa Koduvayur) is called out for being rude within hearing distance of a guest by her mother. The girl later calls out Mahesh for clicking her pictures without consent and Suhas (played by Suhas), who works with Babji, calls out his regressive thoughts in a touching scene.

The rustic setting amid the lush locales of Araku makes the whole film feel like a laidback dream. Bijibal's background score and tracks, especially Ningi Chutte, have a life of their own, transporting you to the place. While the editing could've definitely been a little crisper, making the film that already has a short run-time even shorter; it's still not something that's a major drawback in the film. Maha takes his own sweet time exploring characters that eventually have nothing to do with the theme but are important to help you understand the environment Mahesh lives in. Even Mahesh's aged father (whom the villagers believe is losing his mind) acts as his sensei in key moments, sharing pearls of wisdom without him even asking for them.

Satyadev and Roopa Koduvayur are spot on, convincing without going overboard as the naïve man and the sensible girl. Naresh and Suhas breeze through their roles, providing laughs. Chandana too does a good job. Venkatesh Maha and Paruchuri Praveena's cameos are a hoot, adding to the texture of the tale.

Is this film as good as C/o Kancharapalem is a question that might be on many minds, especially seeing as how both are slice-of-life dramas. Maha ensures to make this film his own, even if the source material isn't his and the effort shows, especially when characters discuss about bamboo chicken losing its authenticity and collect mustard flowers that Araku is dotted with in a particular season. Mahesh Babu and Jr NTR's fans have a healthy banter in the film. The cast also make the film their own without aping the original. It is these beautiful details (that might miss a non-native's understanding) and the feel-good moments it's dotted with that make this film worth watching.