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People's 'power'
EXTREME FORCE: An amateur effort in all departments.
People's Bhaaratakka (TELUGU)
Cast: Ravibabu, Sajani, Raghunatha Reddy, Sakuntala, Jeeva
Music: Jeevan Thomas
Dir: Ravibabu
MAKING A film on Naxalites is an adventure in itself these days, for most of what anybody would say has already been said in earlier films by filmmakers like R. Narayanamurthy. Yet, Ravi Babu thought of going ahead with the same subject to attract masses, especially in the Telangana region. For a change, he gives prominence to a woman character, Bharati, in the latter part of the drama, projecting her as a dare devil. The technique of narration is linear but for a flashback.
Ravibabu also plays another important role of a Naxalite leader, Bhagat, who introduces Bharati to the mainstream Naxalism. The technical aspects are elementary. Neither music nor photography impress. Even the encounters, combats and shooting spree look amateurish. Bhagat, addressed as `Anna', is respected in villages. When a journalist attempts to interview him, it is revealed that Bhagat is an IAS officer-turned-Naxalite. The reason is explained through a flashback..
The story of Bharati is also evolved almost on the same lines. Bharati (Sajani) lives with her father Mallanna (Mukku Raju) in a tribal area. She marries Ramudu, her relative and gives birth to a child. The local landlord Dora (Raghunatha Reddy), a tyrant, casts his evil eye on her. Accompanied by his men, he rapes her, and kills her husband and child. Shocked at these tragic developments, her father (Mukku Raju) collapses and dies.
As Bharati attempts to kill herself, `Anna' Bhagat steps in and stops her from taking this extreme step. He then brainwashes her, becomes her mentor and inspires her to kill Dora. She joins the movement and rises to the level of a leader soon and the cadre starts calling her `Akka'.
Bhagat, on the other hand, has a different story to explain why Naxalism attracted him. But the situations we watch on the screen are routine — like a doctor at a Government hospital ignoring patients, a Police SI (Jeeva), hand in glove with the corrupt doctor, refusing to act upon Bhagat's complaint, and the policeman involving in foul play with regard to issuing a police verification certificate to Bhagat, needed for posting as IAS officer. All these add up to drive Bhagat to take to arms. How Bhaaratakka finally avenges the wrong done to her forms the latter part of the drama.
All the artistes are newcomers but for some character artistes like Raghunatha Reddy, Jeeva and Sakuntala, who plays Bhagat's mother. Sajani essays her role well, while Ravibabu restricts his role mostly to sermonising. For Raghunatha Reddy, the villain's role is a cakewalk. Sakuntala does not have much to do.
GUDIPOODI SRIHARI
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