Comrade Kalyan Movie Review: A serious subject diluted with illogical comedy
Naxalism is a serious subject. Over the years, governments have introduced rehabilitation packages for Naxalites who leave the revolutionary movement and want to return to mainstream society. These packages offer financial incentives and other assistance to help them lead a normal life. At the same time, the police keep a close eye on them. Director Janakiram Marella has chosen this serious subject for his film, with Sree Vishnu playing the lead role, but has presented it as a comedy. Comrade Kalyan is about an ordinary man named Kalyan who pretends to be a Naxalite (the film avoids using the word and instead refers to them as Anna) and the troubles he faces as a result.Towards the end, the director tries to convey a message that both the police and Naxalites need to rethink their strategies. However, many scenes are illogical, and it is a classic case of too little too late.
Director: Janakiram Marella
Cast: Sree Vishnu, Mahima Nambiar, Satya, Radikaa Sarathkumar, Muralidhar Goud, Sudarshan and othersThe story takes place in the 1990s, near the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha border. Kalyan (Sree Vishnu) is an ordinary man who runs a cinema theatre on lease. The Naxalite movement is quite active in the region at the time, and Kalyan is a fan of R Narayanamurthy’s revolutionary films. His mother (Radikaa Sarathkumar) is a Balakrishna fan and ends up at a police station over a minor issue.The first half mainly focuses on Kalyan’s life and his attempts to impress Sithara, including his efforts to communicate with her in Telugu. Although the story is set in the 1990s, the director throws in references to recent films, including the cricket shot from Peddi, the crow from The Paradise and Chiranjeevi’s Acharya. These references feel out of place in a story set in that period.Sree Vishnu is good with punchlines and one-liners. Mahima Nambiar makes her Telugu debut in this film, but her character doesn’t get much importance. Satya and Sudarshan manage to generate a few laughs, and both comedians get meaty roles.
Radikaa Sarathkumar is good as Kalyan’s mother. Muralidhar Goud appears in a familiar role, but his character gets little prominence and doesn’t seem entirely suited to
An Odisha girl named Sithara Devi (Mahima Nambiar) comes to Kalyan’s mother’s rescue when she suddenly falls ill. From then on, Kalyan falls in love with Sithara. Her family owes Rs 5 lakh to someone but can’t