What Is the Story About?
The story of Alanti Sitralu focuses on the intertwined lives of multiple characters Pallavi (Shweta Parashar), Yamini (Tanvi Akaansha), Yash (Ajay Kumar Kathuvar), Raag (Yash Puri), and Dilip (Prawin Yendamuri). Each has a dark past and trying their best to overcome it. Did they succeed is the basic plot of the movie.
Performances?
A whole set of new faces are the leading performers in Alanti Sitralu. The director’s job is always challenging to extract the performance to liking when its inexperienced people. We see that here.
Firstly, if we look at the good side, each actor has been cast aptly for the respective parts. They ‘suit’ the part well. It is partly the reason why one is bothered to continue with the proceedings engagingly at the start.
It is only when we continue with the movie that we realise the actual talents. While everyone has given their best, some are pretty bland and fail to convey the emotions and elevate the proceedings. The narrative stays flat and dull as a result. Ajay Kumar Kathuvar and Yash Puri top the list. They get angsts ridden characters and spoil the mood with their lack of intensity and screen presence. Prawin Yendamuri is the best of the lot. He is good in emotional scenes; although look wise, he reminds Naveen Chandra. Swetha Parashar and Tanvi Aakansha follow him. The former is better among the two mainly due to her more compelling character.
Analysis
Supreth C Krishna directs Alanti Sitralu. He picks a multi-layered modern drama set in a big city. It is predictable in parts but also offers a lot of scope for compelling drama.
A genuine and honesty in attempt is felt right from the opening sequence of the film. But, it is also clear that the ambition does not match the vision, and the actors are of no help.
A large part of the first half is taken to establish the worlds of different characters. Some of them are engaging while the rest is boring. The beginning of the track of Yamini and Yash, Pallavi and Raag fall into the boring category. Nothing interesting happens until we know more about them.
It is only towards the pre-interval that some momentum is generated. The different stories are interlinked uniquely. There is very little direct interaction between them, but the psychological repercussions of one character are felt on the other. This aspect of the hyperlink narrative gives Alanti Sitralu some edge.
However, if we leave out that speciality, the individual stories lack the bite. They follow a predictable path. The plot involving Dilip highlights it the best. It is very routine, but a compelling narrative is built due to the actor and his performance.
The same can’t be said about Yash and Raag section in the overall story. They are bland and fail to elevate the routine with their presence and performance.
Still, if one passing through all this comes to an end, he is left confused. What is it that the director wants to convey is not easily understood. Do people have to resign to their fate if things don’t go their way? Or is the fate of some people doomed from the start? Questions like these pop up after the end.
Overall, Alanti Sitralu is a decent attempt to show a compelling drama. But, it crumbles under its ambition and never reaches the high it aspires to achieve. The blandness doesn’t help the cause. If you are in a mood to watch a routine content presented with a different take, give Alanti Sitralu a try, otherwise stay away.
Other Artists?
Besides the unknown main leads, there are Ravi Varma and Dayanand Reddy, who are known faces. The former plays a drunkard and failed boxer turned coach. One scene towards the pre-climax is the best he has done as an actor in recent times.
Dayanand is sincere, but it is a one-dimensional character lacking depth and hence no impact. The rest are forgettable after a point.
Music and Other Departments?
The music by Santhu Omkar is okay. One of the songs, ‘Kanulalo’, stands out, and so does the BGM related to it. The cinematography by Karthik Sai Kumar is alright if one considers the ultra-low-budget scale. The editing by Ashwath Shiva Kumar should have been better. The pace of the movie is sluggish, needlessly. The writing gives the impression of being intentionally serious. It has decent lines at times, but there is no consistency in them.
Highlights?
Drama
Hyperlink Narrative
Kanulalo Song
Drawbacks?
Slow Paced
Boring Narrative
Bland Actors (A Few)
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, In Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Huge Reservations
Alanti Sitralu Movie Review by Binged Bureau
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