Some ramblings over the recent classic #Mahanati.

While giving a re-visit after a hiatus, I realized how beautiful the framing and blocking was, apart from the radiant colors, extravagant music, and performances.

So, A Thread named Thoughts on Mahanati, here it goes.

We can call a mere build-up in regular cine-terms, but a mere build-up should work. Here, it does big time. The first set of shots are quite unique, by not revealing the face of Mahanati, the camera captures how illustrious her career was, how prominent her position was!

Madhuravani's track has got conflicting reviews, but I think the large chunk of the audience made peace with it because, it wasn't a narrative-gimmick, but a story of self-discovery. Her boss doesn't even remember her name, by that you know what I'm trying to say, right?

Dulquer as Gemini - The first shot appears, he tries to preserve the extensive criticism over him. I never hated the character, he was strange for sure. Morality becomes subjective when we tend to observe certain rebel personalities.

PS. These portions were shot in Super 35.

Do you the worth of heroism in biographies? Look at the dialogue here, Even though how heartfelt these lines were, they are directed toward the introduction scene of the actress who has glory and talent personified. There is the technique, trick, and craft working together, boss!

Ah. The priceless moment in the film. It feels to me like probable, no other scene would've been as justifiable as this to introduce Savitri guru again to the celluloid. This episode manifests her glory, talent, and impeccable worth.

It would've been the same another feeble story of glory if a person narrates the whole life of the protagonist. Here, the Writer/Filmmaker attempts to tell her story with several characters. Her childhood part is narrated by her own aunt. As I said, there's a technique.

"Rosebud" - Citizen Kane is treasured for its large canvas and metaphors. Mahanati takes a bit of inspiration from it. I liked the metaphor of "Shankarayya." It would've been just a passing line, but I liked the way it used tactically all over the film until the ultimate reveal.

Historical accuracy, perhaps, is a delicate topic. I'm not complaining or anything, but here, Mr. Chowdary imitates N.T Rama Rao, who is yet to make his debut then. Apart from that, the drama culture, greeneries, and cinema fetish were wonderfully depicted.

The Studio portions are extremely nostalgic, it re-introduces us to the magnificence of the Madras Film Industry. Some witty lines, sprightly visuals, this portion is certainly very adorable.

Haha. Cute scene.

This shot speaks a lot. It depicts how entrancing the celluloid is. Until then, Savitri (aka Keerthy) functions according to her uncle's plans, but in this scene, watching her first-ever appearance in cinema, she encounters how the silver screen has owned her.

A modern soul may think Devadasu is an absurd tragedy, but the fact that it was a sheer rage. It ran for 150 days when it re-released nearly after two decades. My mother is a huge ANR fan, & we have the novel in our library. I share a bond with that novel tbh. Keerthy was .

Again, Mahanati's footsteps towards reputation, her marriage, would be narrated through another person. This time a fan who regards her.

Every other person in the Telugu speaking community would know the reputation of Savitri garu's Bindi style. In the film, it is revealed as none other than Gemini Ganeshan teaches her the style. I don't know the facts, but this kind of Romanticism is, always, love.

Sada Ninnu is easily one of the most elegantly picturized songs ever in the history of Telugu Cinema. Every shot is picturesque.

Now I proudly announce, Telugu Cinema has got a modern dramatist who could advance its storytelling standards. His name is Nag Ashwin, Yeah. And Mickey's score in this scene with traditional Trumpets and all.
Waah. Waah.

Malvika Nair's cameo is brief but very impactful.
This shot says it all.

The lead scene for the song "Mooga Manasulu" is charming, and the song drove me to the serene space. Perhaps, it is because of the lyrics of Sirivennela, or the music of Mickey, or maybe both. The song is my fav Telugu song for the last couple of years!

Mayabazaar, for me, is a revelation, a symbol of pride. It is the pinnacle of Telugu Cinema's creative surge & one of the greatest entertaining films of Indian Cinema. This re-creation is a miracle, nobody would've dreamt such perfection.
Bravo, Nag Ashwin, and Keerthy Suresh.

The priceless Iruvar moment - Same camaraderie, and eventually the same ego-clash. Just Saying..

Taj Mahal for Telugu cinema buffs in Chennai - CASINO THEATER.

I couldn't observe this "Edama Chethi Sangham" (Left-handers association) bit ever in my previous visits. So, rebellious she was, upright as well.

PS. The cinematographer Dani Sa Lo's cameo (2nd Pic).

The Abhimaan / A Star is Born complex is explored very well. There is huge possible even with slightest slip would've made it heavily dramatic. Be it the composition of shots, the dialogues, and performances, it retained the elegance.

This sequence reminds of one of the most renowned Bollywood film "Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam" by Guru Dutt and Abrar Alvi duo. I think that film has used the dramatics to the maximum level. Meena Kumari's Choti Bahu character is evergreen and will remain so.

The most-talked shot - It is one of the few well-thought, metaphorical instances in the film. It, obviously, suggests the love has turned the things upside down. The last frame implies the fall is now certain and is inching towards the glory to eclipse it. Waah. Brilliant.

The FALL is narrated by Savitri garu's daughter.
On how she is succumbing to her own impulses.

This is another unique shot that caught my attention. Again, the dramatization at an intense level, with BG score used maximum to elevate the emotions.

Savitri garu's battle with alcoholism is narrated by her close friend Susheela. The choices are made quite interestingly and would justify liberties, adolescence is told by her aunt, career by her fan, post-marriage fame by an old lady, marriage-split by her own daughter, etc.

These shots made me watch the film again and compelled me to write some stuff. Purely, I feel this performance by Keerthy deserves all accolades. Ironically, she cried reading Devadasu novel then, and ultimately, she has become a Devadasu herself. "Chivaraku Migiledi" song is.

This scene, I don't know how many of you will agree, but an emotional pinnacle of the entire film. The way Mahanati is elevated by Samantha's performance, the effect, and dialogues is amazing. I would take the liberty and say, the scene was one of the best in d entire film.

The "Rosebud" reveal. I remember people didn't move in the theater even after the previous frame, which says Savitri garu has died after battling her heath for 30 days. People waited for another surprise. Filmmaker Nagi guessed it right.

#Mahanati - This revisit has been extremely pleasing. I noticed some unique things in the narrative as well. I guess the readers find this commentary sensible, at least some minute level. Thank you. And Long Live Mahanati Savitri.

Visual-Appreciation Tweet.

END.