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Notwithstanding the slow pace and the predictable nature writer and director Nanda Kishore Emani makes some important points on parents and educators explaining concepts in an interesting manner rather than dismissing a child’s curiosity

Starcast: Nivetha Thomas, Vishwadev Rachakonda, Priyadarshi Pulikonda, Arun Dev, Gautami, K Bhagyaraja and others

Writer and director: Nanda Kishore Emani

Producers: Srujan Yarabolu and Siddharth Rallapalli

Presenter: Rana Dagubbati

Production Companies: Suresh Productions, S Originals and Waltair Productions

Music: Vivek Sagar

Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes

35 Chinna Katha Kaadu focuses on a conventional Brahmin family residing in Tirupathi. Prasad (Vishwadev Rachakonda) is a bus conductor. Nivetha Thomas in a breakthrough role plays a traditional housewife. Her life entirely revolves around the spouse and children. Her character ironically called as Sarswati is a 10th fail. She has given up on studies a long time back. Arun Dev as Arun is a curious student who exasperates everyone with his constant questioning. Like many school children Maths is Arun’s least favorite subject, not surprisingly his marks in that subject are atrocious. Frustrated about Arun’s lack of interest in Mathematics and the appalling marks Prasad decides to enroll Arun in the Tirumula Tirupati Devastam Vedic school. This leads to a major upheaval at home, a certain distance comes between Prasad and Sarswati. Priyadarshi plays a teacher who remembers students only by their marks and not names. He constantly keeps calling Arun a zero. Things take a huge turn when Sarswati takes it upon herself to generate some interest in Arun towards Mathematics along with making sure that he at least gets passing marks

Nivetha Thomas in a breakthrough role

It has been a long time since you have had a mainstream movie with the backdrop of school. A major chunk of the film plays out in the classrooms of fifth and sixth class. Director Nandi Kishore Emani does a very fine job in creating an authentic atmosphere. Scenes of how a class monitor behaves and how some students don’t include their fellow classmate in their inner circle will definitely resonate with the school going population. Even the pranks that the children play particularly the ones of Arun on Priyadarshi’s Chanakya doesn’t feel out of place.

The ups and downs in Sarswati and Prasad’s marriage have also been depicted realistically. At one point their marriage reaches a dead end because of their different viewpoints about what to do with Arun. Many married couples would relate to it. Prasad at no point is portrayed as a villain even when Sarswati gets little help from her husband in teaching Arun.

The ups and downs in Prasad and Sarswati’s marriage have also been depicted realistically

Priyadarshi’s Chanakya represents a typical snobbish teacher, a complete anthesis to Aamir Khan’s Ram Shankar Nikumbh in Taare Zameen Par. Priyadarshi does a fine job in making the viewers hate Chanakya. He is so perfect that the viewers side with the children even when Chanakya becomes the victim of Pranks

Priyadarshi’s Chanakya represents a typical snobbish teacher

The second half of 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu is definitely more gripping than the first half. The portions of Sarswati fighting her inner demons and eventually emerging victorious has many heartwarming moments. The on-screen bond between Arun Dev and Nivetha Thomas has come out very well. Senior actress Gautami plays Sarswati’s mentor. Gautami has a pleasing presence; she lends a lot of warmth, but the role feels underdeveloped. The same applies to Bhagyaraj. Both the characters could have done with more meat.

Vivek Sagar’s music and background score also uplifts the movie at many junctures. My favorite song in the album is Neeli Meghamulalo. The production design also goes perfectly with the atmospherics. A lot of care has been taken on creating an authentic atmosphere.

Performances wise Nivetha Thomas and Arun Dev are the major backbone of the movie. Nivetha delivers an award-winning performance as a typical housewife who has to rise above the odds. She portrays the inner strength of Sarswati in a beautiful manner. Her dialect is also praiseworthy. Arun Dev as Arun also does a fine job in portraying the different emotions. Some of his expressions bear a slight resemblance to Darsheel Safary in Taare Zameen Par but there is no denying that he is a promising talent. Vishwadev Rachakonda also excels as the concerned father. His chemistry with Nivetha is top notch.

35 Chinna Katha Kaadu is a must watch for those who like slice of life films. But for those who prefer mass cinema certain patience is a must.