’35: Chinna Katha Kaadu’ Movie Review: Nivetha Thomas and a bunch of children in an uplifting story of Vijay

Vishwadev, Nivetha Thomas and child actors Abhay and Arun in ’35: Chinna Katha Kaadu’

Ever wondered why zero, which has no value of its own, is greater than nine when it precedes 1 and is 10? This question is repeated through the Telugu family drama 35: Chinna Katha Kadu (Not a short story), directed by Nanda Kishore Imani. Shouldn’t the fundamentals of mathematics be questioned? Should a student take the standard, learn the syllabus and pass the exam? Starring Nivetha Thomas, Vishwadev, Priyadarshi, child actors Abhay and Arun and more than 50 children, the film is heartwarming and a thoughtful story that encourages its audience to look within and take the first step to overcome adversity. 35 Depicts children as realistically as possible and feels like returning to the age of innocence.

In the temple town of Tirupati, Saraswati’s (Nivetha Thomas) life revolves around her family — Swami Prasad (Vishwadev), who works as a bus conductor, and her two sons, Abhay and Arun (Arun Dev). In the opening, there is a close shot of cupboard door handles shaped like a harp, a musical instrument shown in passing. We never see Saraswati playing the veena; Perhaps because he is consumed by family responsibilities which he accepts without a grudge, and has no time for music. In a sparsely furnished home suited to a lower-middle-class family, artistic door handles are one of the few artistic indulgences. Incidentally, production designed by Latha Naidu.

Nanda Kishore introduces us to this family while Annamacharya’s ‘Bhavyami Gopal Balaam’ plays in the background (composer Vivek Sagar Phil). 35 with soothing classical and semi-classical notes). When Saraswati congratulates her son Arun for the day’s test and tells him that ‘we’ have to win, the sentence says it all. Contrary to her name, Saraswati is considered a failure as she did not pass 10th standard. Her son, in class five, is now at the crossroads.

The story is not about whether Arun wants to succeed but how others see his setbacks. Nanda Kishore introduces a key character named Chanakya (Priyadarshi), a maths teacher who does not hesitate to name students by their numbers. He does not stop for even once to talk about the plight of the child called Zhuni or ‘Sunna’. Much later in the story, when he gets a response that equates his nature to an algebraic ‘constant’, there were a few hearty laughs in the cinema.

point of conflict 35 can be described in one line. What if a boy who always scores zero is asked to score at least 35 so that he can stay in school? Can he do it and who will help him? It’s hard not to think of Hindi films Cross the wire. However, unlike Ishaan Avasthi (Darsheel Safari) who is helped by Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir Khan), Arun gets no help from Chanakya. Indeed, he also has to contend with Chanakya’s bruised ego.

What sets the narrative apart is the way Nanda Kishore prompts some of the characters to look within, gather courage and work to overcome their obstacles.

The 145-minute narrative gives us time to show Saraswati’s busy world at home; It even shows the bond between children. It’s been years since we’ve seen a mainstream children’s film. a chunk 35 Unfolds in fifth and sixth grade classrooms, depicting how a class monitor behaves, how children may or may not include a student in their inner circle, etc. None of this seems unrealistic and the pranks are not out of place.

The sibling bond, and Saraswati and Prasad’s relationship is beautifully portrayed. When the boy engrossed in his reading remarks that it has been several days since he heard the word ‘chinnu’ at home, it is reminiscent of children’s keen observation.

If there is any grudge, it has to be with the character of the principal (Bhagyaraj), who does not take a positive stand against the high-handed maths teacher for a long time. Chanakya embodies terror for those who find mathematics their Achilles’ heel. Priyadarshi plays a soft-spoken, cold-hearted teacher. As much as I rooted for the prank, the kids played on it.

Its standout performance 35 By Nivetha Thomas who plays Saraswati with poise and a sense of dignity and in the moments when she is helpless and agitated, we root for her to win. We often see her multitasking, juggling responsibilities efficiently and Nivetha makes everything look natural. 35 His best performance till date. In several frames, as he is framed in a warm glow, cinematographer Niketh Bomi quietly weaves magic.

Vishwadev is earnest as the sympathetic husband who silently supports his wife. The child actors – Arun, Abhay, the girl who plays Kiran and several friends from the classroom – are a treat to watch. Arun’s vulnerability and cheeky mischievousness suit his character. Gautami is benign in a short part that looks a little underwritten, though it’s decent in the larger scheme of things.

35 Can leave the audience with heartfelt tears and a big smile. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as rooting for an underdog and collectively celebrating its victory, is there? The icing on the cake is the explanation of how zeros become significant before a few digits.