Balagam, directed by Venu Yeldandi and starring Priyadarshi and Kavya Kalyanram in the primary roles, is set in a small town in Telangana that is still rife with superstitions and beliefs. The story begins with the death of Komuraiah, a playful and comical character in the village, and the ensuing family drama that unfolds over the following eleven days.
To start with, I have always considered that the term “rooted” (which is commonly used to describe South Indian Cinema) is extremely overused. However, after watching Balagam, I cannot think of a more fitting term to describe the film. This film is an authentic portrayal of Telangana culture that fearlessly showcases traditional beliefs, even if they may appear very outdated or go against contemporary values. As someone from Andhra, I assumed I was familiar with most local customs and traditions from here. But, I realized how little I knew about rural Telangana and how peculiar some beliefs and practices can be.
Moreover, the story of Balagam is neither extremely thrilling nor dull, but what makes it remarkable is the courage required to tackle a subject that revolves entirely around death and grieving. And the filmmakers deserve credit for their willingness to explore such a sensitive topic. Many people indeed tend to avoid watching depressing content, especially if it reminds them of a personal loss. Consequently, Dil Raju deserves recognition for his decision to produce this film despite the constant backlash he gets on social media. His attempt should be commended for its sincerity in taking a subject that may not appeal to a wider audience.
On a slightly negative note, I’ve noticed a recurring issue among some up-and-coming directors, such as Shanmukha Prasanth of Writer Padmabhushan fame and Sai Kiran of Masooda, where they struggle to determine the most effective points to trim the film for a sharper pace. Although the editor plays a crucial role in keeping the runtime in check, it’s ultimately the director’s responsibility to make the final decision. The excessive length of some of these films can become a significant problem, especially when the subject matter is highly specific, making anything over two hours feel like a slog. Unfortunately, Balagam falls into this category, suffering from a similar issue.
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In a movie driven by performances, everyone was incredible and brought authenticity to their characters in every regard. Furthermore, as someone who has only seen the guy do comedy on TV and more, I did not expect a serious subject like this to be handled by Venu Yeldandi. It is a stand-out directorial debut as he executed everything from dark comedy to stirring sentiment and culture perfectly. As I said, I am surprised and blown away by the talent displayed here. All in all, despite some issues, Balagam is a very moving film that skillfully tackles a dark subject. A decent watch.
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