Nithiin and Raashi Khanna - starrer Srinivasa Kalyanam begins with a voiceover, rendered by actor Venkatesh, where the importance of marriage is underlined since the time of Lord Rama and Krishna. And thus, we are slowly introduced to the saga of Vasu (Nithiin) and Sri (Raashi Khanna) in the 21st Century, where the importance of a wedding and marriage as an institution has diminished considerably.
Vasu hails from a close-knit joint family and is the kind who likes to call home at the beginning and end of the day to talk to his grandmother and rest of the family. Sri hails from a family that's the polar opposite, consisting of a business minded father (Prakash Raj), who believes the only thing that deserves his time is his work, an elder sister going through divorce because she's exactly like her father and a mother wanting for attention and love.
When the two fall in love and decide to get married, the super-idealistic film makes it clear right from the beginning that the focus will solely be on the importance of wedding ceremonies and traditional family values. A film which explores the theme of an Indian wedding is fertile ground for an emotional outburst or dramatic confrontations between different characters. But Srinivasa Kalyanam bypasses this route completely and instead focuses on traditions and the importance of celebrating a wedding like a beautiful moment in one's life.
Nithiin's role is extremely one-dimensional. He is an architect in Chandigarh but his heart lies in his village. To put in simple words, his characterisation is the embodiment of his Nanamma's beliefs, but trapped in a young man's body. Having grown up in a city, Vasu has no qualms in believing in the regressive age-old traditions.
Vasu's entire family never acknowledges Prakash Raj's work schedule. All they have in their mind is that the girl's family should drop everything they do to take part in pujas or go on that family shopping trip. Vegesna succeeds in only glorifying village life and traditional marriages.
The most appalling scene in the movie is the proposal scene. You look forward to it, but when it actually arrives, it is a massive letdown. Until then, Vasu doesn't acknowledge Sri's love. He sees his name saved as 'My Heart' on Sri's phone and boom, he proposes to her in the next scene! This might be the most pointless proposal scene ever.
Raashi Khanna emotes beautifully throughout the film. But her character is reduced to a woman who just nods her head to everything the groom's family says.
Vidyullekha Raman's characterisation is just another major flaw in the film. She is ridiculed for eating 'so much'. Vidyu is someone who is vocal about body positivity in real life. Seeing her humiliating herself with this role in the film is a major setback.
There are certain romantic moments and family sequences that work to an extent. But it is sad not to see such well-written scenes throughout the film. For example, there is a scene where Prakash Raj realises that money isn't everything. Without taking a preachy route, the scene conveys the message beautifully and convincingly.
Srinivasa Kalyanam, in the second half, looks just like a wedding film. If only it had some amazing twists and turns!
