Review of movie Aravindha Sametha

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Rating:3.5/5

It's a war-torn village Kommaddi, where heads fly faster than the words that its residents mouth. Two warring groups lead by Narapareddy and Basireddy too prefer to speak through their swords than words. Even a game of cards in this backdrop is addressed as 'five rupee worth faction'. In comes the son of the soil, Veeraraghava Reddy, the only sign of hope to instill some sense amidst this menace. Featuring an actor like Jr NTR known for his action potboilers, Trivikram utilises his presence and a commercial backdrop to drive home an important signal of peace, like the pigeon that accompanies the title card in the opening frame. 


Melodrama often clouds the character arcs of women in factionism-driven films, that's where Aravinda Sametha differs from the pack. The Penimiti song is one example of the emotional turmoil that a woman suffers as her man sets out for a blood bath. And Aravinda, played by Pooja Hegde isn't Trivikram's quintessential heroine. Here she is studying anthropology and ethno-driven violence, being the critical link in showing the way forward to a character like Veeraraghava Reddy stuck between revenge and larger purpose. Supriya Pathak, Devayani, Eeswari Rao may have minimal screen time, but there's enough meat in their characterisation.

This transformational journey gives us a delightful interval action block where Jr NTR offers the goons a taste of death and yet doesn't tear them apart. While there's enough action and drama happening in the proceedings to keep you occupied in the first hour, things aren't quite seamless post the intermission. The one worry throughout Aravinda Sametha remains its predictability. But for a twist or two, you know the trajectory of its lead character. It's the humour quotient that keeps the film alive then. Naresh and Srinivas Reddy continue from where they left their delightful banter in A..Aa. Sunil delivers lesser laughs than promised, but that doesn't take away anything from his much needed return to his forte.

All it takes to make a solid commercial film is to redefine it in relevance to the times. It's not often you'd find a lead character asking people, 'what's so heroic about holding a dagger or slapping your thigh'. It's refreshing to watch NTR remain his controlled self in the film's entirety. Pooja Hegde gets a credible role as a budding documentary filmmaker, though it's hard to fathom an actor like Eesha being saddled into a role of nothingness. Trivikram's fascination for mythology lends well with the theme and the treatment scores over his indulgence this time. And Thaman's evolution as a composer truly benefits the film. A emotional drama camouflaged in a commercial exterior, here's a film that's courageous to stand apart from slapstick madness.