Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya: clean, fresh, and rooted.
Satya Dev — I first heard about him when he featured in Prakash Raj’s Mana Oori Ramayanam. Though I didn’t watch that film, I was instantly impressed with his subtle performance in much loved and crazy BrochevarevaruRa. He’s one of the few actors who can make us cry and can bring a smile on our face with just his eyes.
Disclaimer: This movie is a remake of Maheshinte Prathikaram. I am writing this piece only based on Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya, and this blog doesn’t mention the former because I haven’t seen it.
After a much acclaimed and well-received debut with C/o Kancharapalem, Venkatesh Maha helmed this film taking story(screenplay credits are with Maha) from Malayalam movie Maheshinte Prathikaram. The film starts with a scene where Mahesh is bathing near small waterfalls, first shot being Mahesh washing his slippers. Little did I know that slippers have a significant part in the film (lol yes!).
Mahesh is a photographer working in his studio in a small town (or village) in Araku. A simple, polite, and happy-go person who has a girlfriend working in Hyderabad. A believer in god (he walks on burning embers after praying for his father). Surrounded by his family and friends, his life is healthy until a spat erupts due to *good bananas* by a sarcastic uncle that leads to a causal effect — one fuss leads to others!
Mahesh is beaten up badly; more than that, he is humiliated in front of his people by Jognath. Did he get into quarrel to hit? NO. He came to stop it. Did he have a grudge against anyone? No. He says, and I write, “Did anyone of you saw or hear Mahesh acting rude since childhood?” The answer is a big NO. Adding to this humiliation, his girlfriend leaves him for an NRI.
After learning that Jognath is not in India, he has only one goal — to seek revenge and then wear slippers (he takes a pledge!).
The detailing of Maha while writing characters is just brilliant. The goons who beat Mahesh and Suhas are bad guys — it is shown clearly in two places: 1. One of them says, “Calm down, you just came from jail” and the same auto guy instigating Mahesh for a quarrel. These are the same guys who tease a girl (a teammate from Kungfu kicking them in the second half). Also, Mahesh seeks revenge only on Jognath, not his friends.
Another impressive talent that this film unearthed is Suhas (Korra Suhas & his hairstyle). His timing and antics are just wow. He’s a talent to look out for. Naresh, as Babji is good throughout the movie. His insecurity about his daughter and an existential bias due to a previous subordinate and newspaper worry him. The scene where he confronts Suhas and aftermath is so natural, restraining melodrama.
Coming to the two characters linked to Mahesh — his father and his lover (Jyothi). Jyothi, played by Meghana, done her part efficiently. I don’t know why she reminds me of Anna Ben from Kumbalangi Nights. His father’s character acts as a guiding light for him. He talks less but has a significant impact. Also, this movie has cameos by few people: Venkatesh Maha, Santosh Mohan, Karuna Kumar, and the producer Praveena (also played an important role in C/o Kancharapalem).
Satya Dev — this man is going to be big! He acts with his eyes. He has a pleasant screen presence and emotes well. A scene where he asks his girlfriend, “You have so many options to get confused?” with bruises on his face strikes the chord.
The visuals are fresh and take us to one of the beautiful places we have — Araku. Ravi Teja Girijala (editor) gives us another memorable film with a flow of emotions and comedy. Soothing melodies and background score complimented well. Maha — commendable effort on making a simple, yet close to heart film. I am waiting for his next!
This movie is so native and rooted in our emotions and life. There are no unwanted scenes — every scene is organic and natural. The dialect, sarcasm, people, events & fights are depicted in real sense. They don’t look superficial. As someone said,
“ You have to be so local to be global.”
I’ll be back with another blog soon. Until then, as Mahesh instructs: Chin down, shoulder down, chin up, eyes open! :D
P.S.: I mentioned about Causal effect above. If you’d like to watch a short based on the effect, I strongly recommend clicking here:
