WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Am I worthy to be loved? Do I get in my own way? These are questions that can certainly plague our mindset when it comes to both being single and of a certain age. With a world or even our own cultural background and its accompanying familial expectations trying to tell us that something isn’t right with us when not having met “that special someone” after we’ve reached a supposed “preset” juncture in our lives, it’s then more difficult not to fall into the mentality we’re somehow a failure. Can it be overcome? For the beautiful, hard-working Bhanu (Salony Luthra), success has a price when her love life has fallen apart, leaving her lonely and closed off. Meanwhile, for the simple, self-effacing Ramakrisha (Naveen Chandra), a new city, a new job, and a fresh start could end up equaling a connection he never saw coming. But, will it bring two hearts together or drive them further into their own inner uncertainties?
Next, my Mind:
With the precisely chosen length a well-executed romantic dramedy should be (93 minutes here, to be exact) in order to offer a brisk yet engaging pace, intelligent character development, and a fully fleshed out narrative with a beautiful heart at its core, this newly released indie feature effort from writer/director Srikanth Nagothi and producer Yaswanth Mulukutla delivers exactly what this critic adores about South Asian cinema’s offerings in the genre of film it represents–a potent mix of charming, delightful, fanciful romantic whimsy, affecting dramatic flare, and an ultimately redeeming message that speaks volumes of relatability to the viewer and lets us feel the emotional quotient as intended. Even when the notions of love being explored are leading to an expected outcome, there’s just a specific sense of realism and heartening manner as it’s displayed in South Asian efforts that grips me every time and spirits me away to a smile-inducing bliss and satisfaction.
Perhaps it’s due to the fact that as a whole, South Asian film seems to rely heavily on presenting stories that not only entertain, but really are speaking to the viewer in some form socially/culturally about the themes being explored, and it lends this tone of greater believability in what is being portrayed, even when sometimes it does indeed become almost too perfect of a formula that borders on fantastical. Here, though, this critic actually very much could directly relate to so many of the foundational facets of relationships, the challenges that come with them, and having to deal with that concept of being single at a certain age and trying not to feel like “something’s wrong with me”. The narrative expands on this idea through two initially opposite perspectives and does so with a powerful strength that is able to showcase both character’s ideas about their search for that lifelong love with genuine sincerity rather than overt melodramatic bluster.
The film likewise is willing to fully journey into those moments that are far from perfect when it comes to its character’s experiences in trying to fill the void, from dealing with exes, blind dates, and potentially arranged marriage to friends and parents attempting to offer “helpful” advice that often may not be such. These are all addressed with deep-seeded conviction yet also with well-grounded accessibility for us watching them where we can sit there and nod our heads in agreement when it comes to those “Oh, I can totally understand where they’re coming from” sequences while still wholly enjoying the sheer entertainment the wonderfully orchestrated instances of humor, drama, and romance the film exudes in excellent amounts throughout its runtime. I also feel that it’s this uncomplicated grander nature of the effort that makes it so watchable, as being able to empathize with it while being unreservedly entertained is always a refreshing combination.
Luthra is the complete package here, a total gem, who brings an undeniably endearing blend of natural beauty, addicting charisma, totally welcoming appeal, and vulnerability while still being able to also emanate a fiery level of apropos attitude utilized for both comedic and dramatic impact through her role as Bhanumathi, a woman who is both no-nonsense yet possesses a heart longing to be accepted and loved unconditionally thrust into a reality of hurt when things in her romantic life take a sudden turn. At an age where culture and her own family wish to cast doubts on her worthiness to gain a husband, Bhanu’s path towards an unanticipated match-up is fraught with further disappointments and empty pursuits other than her success at work and steadfast belief IN herself overall. Watching Bhanu travel through all this emotional upheaval is stirring and Luthra is so adept at infusing the character with likability that you won’t be able to help but root for Bhanu from the start, especially as avenues to real, genuine love start to manifest. It’s a testament to Luthra’s acting that allows this character to be brought to life with a deft touch like this, and it’s so captivating to view.
This is all certainly not to take away a single thing from a likewise lovably winning performance from Chandra in his role as Ramakrishna, one of the most unassuming, modest, and ordinary guys around, happy to just be able to bring joy into people’s lives and truly ask nothing in return. His initial encounters with Bhanu are such an example of extremes in demeanor that it yields many a humorous moment, even as his attraction to Bhanu starts to be evident as they spend more and more time together. Yet, as we learn about his own past and the things that drive him forward in life, it becomes evident that under the joyful exterior, there are elements that weigh Ramakrishna down and that he still battles with, even if only within himself so as not to burden others. But, his real soul is still one of seeking things that are not fabricated or only surface in nature, but from a deep heart of love and support towards others, and seeing how this all comes to a head with his interactions and affections towards Bhanu is magnificent to see unfold and played with such unflinching delight and unshakably adorable appeal by Chandra throughout the effort.
Supporting turns are many here, arriving from Harsha Chemudu as Bunty, a long-standing but younger friend of Ramakrishna’s who has plenty of opinions about his friend’s newest endeavors in love and life, Ajay and Devyani Sharma as Manish and Isha, a young couple and Bhanu’s live-in roommates who get their own chances to weight in about their beloved friend’s attitudes towards love and her future, Raja Chembolu as Bhanu’s ex Ram, Shalini Vadnikatti as Ram’s new fiancée Nimisha, Jaya Naidu and Appaji Ambarisha Darbha as Bhanu’s parents, Kalpalatha as Ramakrishna’s mother, Raagini as Ramakrishna’s Aunt, Anurag Paravathaneni as Bhanu and Ramakrishna’s boss Samar, Subrahmanya Rohit Nemani and Sanjana Reddy as long-time friends of Bhanu’s, Siraj and Meera, and Ravikanth Perepu as a blind date disaster for Bhanu.
So, in total, “Bhanumathi & Ramakrishna” is everything to love about South Asian romcom/dramas with its totally human approachability, enchanting atmosphere, and an absolutely relevent message that needs to be heard loud and clear to adults at a similar place in life all over the world–there’s power in a smile, intricacies and nuances to see in someone that transcend age and preconceived societal “norms”, and that there IS unwavering, attainable, beautiful hope for love to arrive and abide.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
