Telusu Kada has certain similarities with the Salman Khan and Rani Mukherjee starrer Chori Chori Chupke Chupke. But this is no remake. Writer and director Neeraja Kona takes a familiar set up of a triangle love story, but the sensibilities are different. All the three protagonists come with shades of grey. The movie dwells into the complexities of modern-day relationships with its messiness. The unconventional storytelling isn’t for all nevertheless Neeraja Kona establishes herself as a promising new director.
Starcast: Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Rashi Khanna, Srinidhi Shetty, Harsha Chemudu and others
Genre: Romance
Director and writer: Neeraja Kona
Producers: T. G Vishwa Prasad and Vivek Kuchibhotia
Production Company: People Media Factory
Music: Thaman S
Cinematography: Gnana Shekar V S
Running time: 2 hours and 12 minutes
The conflict points in love stories have undergone a significant change over time. From the cliches of warring parents and simplistic rich versus poor now the sensibilities are very different. This is amply evident in today’s love stories whether it’s the intense ones or coming of age mixed with love. Neeraja Kona’s Telusa Kada is a bold story dealing with interesting conflict points. One of them are the varied expectations. Siddhu Jonnalagada plays the volatile Varun. Having grown up as an orphan with no proper family he earns for a complete life with a wife and kids. Srinidhi Shetty is Raaga. Without giving much away Raaga is the anthesis of Shivani Nagaram’s steel rod Kathyayini in Little Hearts.
The movie begins with Varun tearing away some photos and venting out his anger. Harsha Chemudu as Mahesh is a buddy as well as an important emotional anchor. Mahesh knows Varun inside and out, the scenes featuring the two gives the movie some of its best moments. Rashi Khanna is Anjali Sharma. She is a mix of traditional and modern. Anjali’s thought process regarding family life is similar to Varun. Not surprisingly Varun falls fast for Anjali and vice versa. The two end up marrying however a major incident changes everything. This is connected to surrogacy. In a big twist of events Raaga makes a comeback into Varun’s life as a surrogate mother. The conflicts that arise when Anjali comes to know about Raaga’s past connection with Varun forms the basic core of Telusu Kada
A strong aspect of Telusu Kada are the characterizations of the principal protagonists especially Siddhu Jonnalagda and Rashi Khanna. Thanks to the huge success of Tillu character Siddhu has been largely associated with comedy. However, Telusu Kada presents a refreshingly different side. This is evident from the first scene itself. Siddhu imbibes the volatileness with gay abandon. The second half has numerous scenes of Varun showing his mean side He gives taunts to Raaga on how their relationship was a time pass for her. On the surface some of it may across as childish but the palpable pain makes the viewers understand the hero’s perspective. It is hard to pinpoint Varun as either a good or bad. This confusing characterization has its minus points too but there is no denying Siddhu absolutely aces the role from the body language to the emotional intensity. Telusu Kada definitely marks a new beginning for the budding actor.
Rashi Khanna too displays a different facet. She not only looks stunning but also aces the grey shades. A special mention must be made of the scenes where she questions Varun about holding back important incidents and how she feels like a third wheel between him and Raaga. Srinidhi Shetty is also good in her part but is somewhat let down by a sketchy characterization. The movie could have benefitted a little more by showing the emotional upheaval of Raaga after she dumps Varun. Harsha Chemudu gets a role beyond hero’s best friend and the actor aces it.
The second half drama between the three characters has some engaging moments as well however a comic interlude featuring veteran actress Annapurna leaves a bitter after taste. Mention must also be made of how Neeraja Kona normalizes the concept of a surrogate mother for mainstream Telugu audiences. The movie’s ending with Varun getting what he always wanted makes the viewers happy.
Thaman’s score also adds to the film. Among the tunes Mallika Gandha and Sogasu Chudatharama are soulful enhancing the romantic core. Gnana Shekar VS Cinematography in spite of the limited locations makes the movie visually appealing.
Final word: Telusu Kada isn’t for all but for those like romance with unconventional storytelling its very much worth a watch.