Featuring Ajey Ved, Maya, Kanakavva, and several others in the lead roles, a rural drama titled Matti Kusthi has been released. The film has won the Indo-French International Film Festival Award this year and has been appreciated by several film personalities and as well as known politicians. Directed by Pavan Kadiyala, let us see how the film is.
Story:
Matti Katha is set in a rural village where the villagers have big dreams of settling down in Hyderabad, leaving behind their ancestral farming lands. Filled with young and old characters alike, Matti Katha tells us the tale of a group of people in this village, who all have their own lives, but are all shaken to the core when their agricultural lands are enroached. What happens after forms the rest of the story.
On-Screen performances:
Ajay Ved is the breakthrough performer of the lot for sure, as he takes the audience through the movie, for the most part. He perfectly brings out the youthful naivete that is required for his character, and all the aspirations that people of his age usually exhibit, under similar circumstances. The pain that he shows during the pivotal sequences of the film is especially moving.
Maya is natural in her role, and in some really crucial sequences, her performance is hard-hitting and reflects certain harsh realities of the world.
Dhayanand Reddy, Kanakavva and the rest of the supporting cast do their jobs spectacularly. They are all raw and true, with none of their performances seeming fake or make-believe. They have managed to capture the essence and meaning of their characters well, which is what makes the movie touching.
Off-Screen Talents:
Pavan Kadiyala has come up with a story that is reality itself and has managed to show the agony that farmers face when their land is taken away from them. He has depicted reality in its truest form, showcasing how encroachment negatively impacts the livelihood of farmers, and how their worlds are turned upside down. While there are some pacing and narrative issues with the script, they are largely overcome by how the director presents what he wants, on the big screen, and the way in which he tells the story.
The background music and the cinematography complement the tone and setting of the film well, showing the rural rusticness of our villages in all their glory. The production values of the film are appropriate, and the editing is okay.
Plus Points:
- Core message
- Cast performances
Minus Points:
- A few narrative choices
Verdict: On the whole, Matti Katha is a story that belongs to the soil truly, making it a watchable one. It has earnest performances that highlight a very rampant issue.
Telugubulletin.com Rating: 2.75/5