Prasthanam

At last a Telugu movie which made me gasp and shout out loud, "whatamovie!" In the industry where 6 songs, three fights, some violence and an item number seem to be the yardstick, Deva Katta's "Prasthanam" beats all the rules. Director Deva Katta deleted four songs from the movie as it hampered its narration (ever heard it anywhere folks?) and it shows his dedication to bring out a movie like never before and he succeeds in it. In fact Deva Katta's hard work is written all over the screen, right from the title cards. The narration is top notch, the dialog's brilliant and the screenplay good. Sai Kumar is one of the most underrated actor of the Teulgu industry and he's going to get some fans from this movie. Sarwanand is brilliant and his dialog delivery is excellent but he needs to work on the emotional scenes though! This is mostly a dialog driven movie and a very serious one too. The movie ends at the right time and the last scene is simply brilliant. The humor department handled by Jayaprakash Reddy is awesome, on the whole it's one movie after a long time made out of sheer dedication and with love towards the language (the English usage is minimal and the Telugu used is top class). A perfect ten and a Telugu movie classic.

Despite all it's faults- the shitty and unnecessary songs, a very bad romantic angle which is incongruous with the story and some poor jokes - despite all of that, Prasthanam is without doubt, one of the greatest Telugu movies ever made. And even if we compare it on a global level, with other political thrillers in English, Hindi and other languages, this movie deserves a place in top 50.

So what makes Prasthanam, so great a movie?

1) Story - The actual story begins in the second half, and the viewer who has been taken on a bicycle ride until then, is taken on a roller-coaster ride of twists and turns. But, unlike ordinary thrillers, behind these twists and turns, the three central themes of the movie - jealousy, corruption of character by greed for power, father's love - play out beautifully and come to their blossom fittingly in the climax - like a perfect Christopher Nolan movie.

2) Dialogues - No words to describe those dialogs. They are so powerful. So profound. So deep. Especially the ones in the climax. Hearing each one of them delivered by the deep voice of Sai Kumar gives you goose bumps. These are the dialogs to die for. You can watch the movie however many times just for these.

3) Acting - The three main characters are played to their utmost perfection by the actors Sai Kumar, Sarwanand and Sundeep Kishan. Especially the portrayal of the complex character by Sai Kumar is beyond the boundaries of imaginary perfection. I wonder, why he didn't get a national award for best actor.

4) Character of Father - Never in Telugu movie history, was a character as complex, had so many shades and yet at the same time, so realistic as that of this central character. It has father's love, greed for power, guilt and loyalty - shades that are so against each other - but which are so beautifully blended and built in this character by the director, that this factor alone would make the movie a timeless classic.

So, why didn't Prasthanam win any national award or why was it not the Indian entry for Oscars. I have no idea!!! I can only think that it's because of the faults I mentioned in the first paragraphs. But one expects that the judges who are supposed to be esteemed critics of movies and know their ins-and-outs, would happily overlook these small hurdles on the road to cinematic wonder provided by Prasthanam.

almost after ten years we get a very good movie laced with beautiful dialogues.. we often get boring moments in telugu movies when it comes to songs or fights, but this movie is a real winner.. of the two songs in the movie both are too gud.. specially evade vaadu.. watta performance by sundeep kishan .. this guy can make wonders in telugu where we lack a proper telugu speaking villain.. every actor is outstanding coming to their part specially saikumar.. but director cum writer of the movie deserves a spl appreciation.. if he doesn't get a award for this movie something is definitely wrong with the judges.. i don't understand the reason why the movie still running in very less theatres where other meaningless masala movies are running in many theatres though they lack the point.. lastly the movie is a very attempt in telugu industry specially aimed at educated segment of people.. hope the movie gains good money, name & fame..

This is the movie that has been close to reality than any other Telugu movie ever made.Saikumar was outstanding in his role. Devakatta is an awesome find. Hopes he makes films that are close to realty and stay away from the commercial Zhit. Dialogues are awesome and will touch you deeply. Climax is the one of the best in Telugu movies.

Sarvanand and Sandeep Kishan has done a decent job.The romantic scenes are unnecessary and will side track the movie.That's the only negative.

Hope they will be more movie like this where the HERO is not a super human that beat the Zhit of villains.

Overall an awesome movie and a must watch for all movie lovers

No words to say...Really Dev Katta'S direction was wonderful.Sharvand will now get the respect he deserves for this colossal performance. The supporting cast,most notably Saikumar,Jaya Prakash Reddy,Jeeva,Sandeep,buoy the film to new perspectives.Yash Bhatt's camera work within these completed sequences takes a modern twist that really works for the gruesome scenes."A man reaps what he sows" is my favourite line from the movie. Sandeep,Sharwand,Saikumar gave there best performance.To be frank first i also felt that basic line of the movie is taken from Sarkar but i was wrong. Dialouge are the big asset for the movie.don't miss it.This film is a must see. I am proud this is movie is from Tollywood.Many of the good things from that script are also presented here in diverse and creative ways.