One thing #UmaMaheswaraUgraRoopasya gets right, maybe even better than the original, is Swathi's characterization. Maheshinte doesn't look at her as a black and white character either, but here her thoughts are given their moment.

The first scene shouldn't be seen as a suggestion of her selfishness. It is more about Mahesh and how easy it is for him to give things up for love. Also, a kid using relief fund money to eat noodles can't really be used to decide who she is as a person.

On the other hand, this simple dialogue says a lot about her. She is someone who likes change, someone to whom new things are exciting. That is what the curiosity in her eyes in the second scene is all about. It is probably selfish to think just about her, but it's innate.

Mahesh is the exact opposite. He is content with what he has. In fact, he wouldn't have changed at all, if not for Jyothi and, most importantly, his reflective and critical father. And the important thing is he would have been happy either way.

Monotony isn't something that bothers Mahesh as much. In fact, he is almost gleeful about the idea of days that fold into one another with commonality. That's why it's so easy to be on his side, to instantly like him. Who wouldn't like a man that has zero complaints or regrets?

This dichotomy is so well-expressed through Rahman's words in 'Nuvvemo'. What's a better metaphor of this relationship than the one that's shared by a bird and a tree? You can't blame the bird for her ability to fly any more than you can blame the tree inability to do so.

These lines color Swathi as a complex being, one who knows what she wants and moves in that direction, even if it means breaking someone's heart, even if it is her own. Her love for Mahesh translates into her realizing that they aren't meant for each other.

Selfish? yes, but brave too, no? Speaking of which, the actress who plays Swathi does a great job in bringing out all facets of this character. For a newcomer, in an industry as rigid as ours, that's nothing short of brave.

Mahesh, Swathi, and Jyothi are three unique individuals. Jyothi's outright nature and simplicity suits Mahesh better than Swathi's dual nature. It was joyful and fulfilling to watch this complex a narration in a Telugu film that loves to boxing people.

Don't remember if the Malayalam version does the same with Soumya's character, but Syam sir would be proud.