Malli Raava Movie Review

Malli Raava Story: Karthik (Sumanth/Sathwik) and Anjali (Aakanksha Singh/Preethi) are childhood sweethearts who fell in love when they're fourteen. Despite having immense love for each other, circumstances forced them apart many a time. Will things change when they grow older? Will their love story finally have a happy ending?

Malli Raava Review: Karthik (Sathwik) is a carefree, aimless ninth grader whose sole purpose in life seems to create a ruckus wherever he goes and spend time with his best friend Dumbo. One rainy morning, in a true filmy style, Anjali (Preethi) enters in his life and Karthik is bowled over the second he sees her. But circumstances force them apart until they meet again being adults. Anjali (Aakanksha Singh) asks Karthik (Sumanth) to marry him, but leaves him at the altar on the day of their wedding. Why she leaves him this time around and if they ever end up together, forms the crux of the story.

Malli Raava is a bittersweet tale of how first love remains memorable in a person's life no matter what. The film keeps jumping between 1999 - when they were 14 years old, 2012 - when they meet again and she asks him to marry her and 2017 - when she comes back into his life to invite him for her wedding. The constant to-and-fro is a narrative choice that might not sit well with some viewers, confusing them as to which time frame they're in even though the film isn't hard to follow. Technically, the film seems to be a little weak with the visuals, screenplay and editing failing to make a mark.

What works for the film is its story, music, casting and of course, the simplistic and practical treatment of love. The music, composed by Shravan Bharadwaj, is an asset to the film, with the songs weaved into the story at appropriate times. There are no song and dance sequences shot in exotic locales. And the songs simply conveyed the love two everyday people feel for each other in their thoughts. Despite being oh-so-in-love, Karthik and Anjali somehow never manage to communicate effectively, making it the bane of their relationship. When she has apprehensions, she doesn't voice them out. When she leaves him, he never asks her why. Nor does he question her whenever she comes back into his life; it's only Dumbo who somehow manages to do that.

The characterisations of Karthik, Anjali and Dumbo are sketched out beautifully. Karthik is the fool in love who wants nothing more in life than Anjali and Dumbo's company. Anjali is the apprehensive girl from a broken home who finds it hard to commit despite having a heart filled with nothing but love for Karthik. Dumbo is the perfect friend one could ask for, lending a shoulder in time of need and asking the tough questions that no one seems to be asking; for fear of getting answers they might not like.

There's also the comic character of Karthik's manager and a few others, who do a good job with their roles. They even get ample screen-time so they aren't in the film for the sake of it. Despite their scenes garnering ample laughs, these characters just manage to make a viewer impatient to get back to Karthik and Anjali's story. Annapurna is beautiful in her role as Baama, Dumbo's grandmother, who seems to share a love-hate relationship with Karthik and worries for him as if he is her own.

Sumanth and Aakanksha are beautiful in their roles of Karthik and Anjali. But they are almost overshadowed by Sathwik and Preethi who seem to breathe life into the characters. All four leads get almost equal screen time, and Sathwik and Preethi deliver stupendous performances. There are some dialogues in the film that will connect well with the audience, especially due to their simplicity. When a young Karthik is questioned about his love for Anjali, he states in a matter-of-fact tone, "Cricket ante ishtam, Dumbo ante ishtam, alage Anjali ante ishtam." (I like Anjali just like I like cricket and Dumbo). That dialogue seems to be the summation of his character and the film, both.

Watch this one if you've ever been in love, especially if you know the bittersweet pain of falling in love for the first time. And give it a miss if you're looking for a happy-go-lucky feel-good film.