Indie Film Review “Andhela Ravamidhi” The pursuit of dreams, obstacles to overcome, patriarchal mindsets, empowerment, and life’s beauty artistically and compellingly collide
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
What are we willing to walk through to see our dreams come to pass? Our minds might be so wholly alive with the passions we carry and the plans we make to see these things become all we wish them to be, yet life doesn’t always want to come alongside. Instead, obstacles arise, both physical and mental, which attempt to dissuade us or even prevent us from moving forward, stalling or stagnating the momentum to achieve what we desire. The age-old question remains….can we overcome? Or will we BE overcome?
Traditional Indian dance ebbs and flows deeply, energetically, joyfully, and intentionally within a young woman named Pavani (Indrani Davaluri), fostered by her unyielding zeal to learn and master all 5 Classical forms to share with the world and bring better acceptance and recognition of it. Even with the support of her mother Jayamma (Jayalalita), father Vishwanadham (Tanikella Bharani) and new husband Ramesh (Vikram Kolluru), Pavani quickly learns just how harsh reality can be. Can she find the strength to accomplish her goals?
Next, my Mind:
I find myself running out of ways to definitively do true justice in describing the utter uniqueness and affectingly potent cinematic wonder that is South Asian cinema and, what I likewise feel, is its constant ability to put forth cultural and societal perspectives that are not only apropos to that community directly, but universally applicable to ALL of us. The means to express life’s challenges and triumphs in a manner that so deftly immerses us into all we should be willing to address about ourselves and the things that we chase, the difficulties that we face, and the subsequent victory over them is always pertinent and necessary to me. With this new 92-minute independent feature film from director/producer Indrani Davaluri (in her directorial debut!), co-director Sai Ram Palley, writer Ram Mohan Ganta and story/writer Venu Nakshathram, producer Siva Bhattiprolu, executive producer Suresh Utharadi, consulting producer Vijaykumar Mirchandani (who has such a devoted eye and zeal for presenting stories that MATTER and have deeply captivating punch), plus lyricist Raghukul Tilak, all mentioned above is conspicuously present and accounted for with beautifully engaging style.
Through a narrative that follows the path of a young, highly determined, impassioned dancer whose primary goal is to introduce the world at large to Indian Classical Dance having to encounter the harder experiences in getting there that she must now conquer, the foundational underdog story that’s present here really aids in making the film one to watch for me. Seeing the stormy atmosphere this world currently has, with plenty of things occurring that so sadly seem to cause people to be pushed down rather than encouraged to strive forward and succeed, this kind of narrative showcasing human resilience even in the most dire or discouraging of circumstances is something SO overtly needed now, and the way this film addresses this alone is inspirational and motivating. However, this is only scratching the surface of all this film has to offer thematically, and it soon becomes apparent that it IS independent film and its consistent presentation of HUMAN stories that is on display, with the accompanying accessibility of it all that hits your heart, mind, and soul with the messages it portrays.
In this vein, the ever-important topic of female empowerment, and femininity itself, gets depicted with stirring power and emphatic strength through the narrative’s course, which again in itself is excellently delivered and executed. But, what gives this an even bigger magnitude of impact is the intelligently designed utilization of the arts (in this case dance) paired with the conviction, fortitude, and cultural appreciation that shines through in spades to provide the requisite building and cementing of these concepts with palpable emotional force. These are further advanced through a visual approach to the film that contains both brilliant, lush, colorful vibrancy via gorgeous, evocative dance sequences and the more starkly raw feel when negotiating the narrative’s more emotively intense instances that focus on the lead character’s setbacks being endured. What we sacrifice for our goals, standing firm for our beliefs and dreams, the core of expression dance represents, pressing into those who are truly there for us in times of trouble, and rising up TO overcome the hurdles we have are all additional thematic elements found within the story.
The finale we are given is one that is heartening, completely significant, and most assuredly cathartic on one particular level you will see when watching the film. This film isn’t afraid to be realistic in illustrating how life is NOT always smooth sailing, but that in spite of this, it doesn’t mean we must remain prisoners to our situations which aren’t healthy, and that we CAN find the path through it all. Stepping out from behind the camera, Davaluri (a professional dancer in real life as well!) wastes no time showing just how magnificently adept, undeniably fervent, and fully credible she can be in front of it through her acting turn as Pavani, a woman of well-established and resolute attitudes about what she desires to achieve in her life, aiming to do anything she must to stay true to herself and see it all come to pass. With her doggedly faithful pursuit of traditional Classical Indian Dance and the five primary forms of it she wishes to master, the support Pavani receives from family, plus now a husband, seems to indicate success is not long in coming.
However, once married life carries her to America, unanticipated burdens, including the pressure of bearing an heir, begin to not only weigh on her, but potentially threaten to upend everything she is so passionate about, pushing her into a corner that appears inescapable. Can she find that avenue through it all and discover the even deeper healing power of dance, a healthier pursuit of a family of her own, genuine friendship, and the formidable, encompassing dynamic of what she has always been….a capable, strong, steadfast portrait of what a woman is and is able to do? Through Pavani’s trials and triumphs, it IS a celebration of absolute persistence to excel, resistance to what isn’t true, and knowing oneself to the best possible degrees, even when it means having to walk through the fire to arrive. Davaluri represents ALL of this so deftly and with the kind of effective relatability that speaks volumes to the still ongoing plight of women all around the world and their total commitment to keep fighting for the deserved relevance and acknowledgment they earn and deserve. It makes this film an awareness-raising effort that needs to be seen for precisely these themes and the associated contemplations afterwards that the narrative elicits.
And this isn’t to abstain from mentioning that watching Davaluri guide us through the amazing and poignant dance elements she performs with such fluidity, meaning, and evident, spirited joy is nothing short of mesmerizing. For this critic, it honestly manifests that exact interest and fascination with the Bharatanatyam and other forms shown that Davaluri is wanting to create here. Kolluru very much makes his presence known on screen through his role as Pavani’s endearingly doting then coldly detached husband Ramesh, a man who seems like a Prince Charming but then definitively falters in maintaining such a demeanor. Supportive until he is not, Ramesh becomes a severe foil to all that his wife believed HE was about, devolving into a patriarchally-driven cad whom it doesn’t take much for the viewer to despise. Yet, this IS the magic of Kolluru’s acting here, creating a character we so love but then SO hate, and his navigation of both ends of the spectrum  is executed with precision, energy, and skill.
Temi Fagbohun arrives as Tracy, a neighbor to Pavani and Ramesh in America who becomes a much needed confidant and close friend to Pavani in her times of need. Prolific character actress Jayalalita and Bharani appear as Pavani’s wonderfully ardent and encouraging parents Jayamma and Vishwanadham respectively who paint a parental picture we simply adore. Aditya Menon is Akash, a man from Pavani’s early life that turns into a catalyst for consolation and newfound opportunities. Additional supporting turns come about from Aadi Lokesh, Dr. S.P. Bharathi, Vani Shalini, JL. Srinivas, Praise Alabi, Sai Ram Palley, Ashwin Nalla, Srinivasan Kukatla, Lakshmi Suneetha Chavvakula, and Durga Bhavani Kalluri amongst a host of others, all playing their roles to perfection as the story reveals their parts to play. With 14 Festival appearances (including upcoming screenings January 28th at the Chandler International Film Festival plus in March at the Ocean City Film Festival) and 6 Awards under its belt, there is no denying this is a film making waves and should continue going forward.
So, in total, with the majesty and sheer elegance of Indian Classical Dance, themes of empowerment, unwavering resolve, vanquishing what stands in our way, life’s lessons both hard and heartwarming, and a firmly rooted declaration to the world to stand up and take notice of the dominant influence the female gender has to offer, “Andhela Ravamidhi” is a South Asian effort steeped in tradition, modernity, persuasive subject matters, and a cornerstone message worth applauding, considering, and sharing along with a lead character we can ALL get behind, empathize with, and one hundred percent cheer for.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
1
Permalink