'Swathi Muthyam', produced by Sithara Entertainments, was released in theatres today (October 5).
Story
Bala Murali (debutant Ganesh Bellamkonda), a government employee, gets ready to marry Bhagya Lakshmi (Varsha Bollamma, as a school teacher) as soon as he meets her in an arranged marriage setup. Everything goes on smoothly until there comes a day when it is revealed that the groom has fathered a child in the past. What is the twist all about? What kind of misunderstandings does Bala's past lead to? Will Bhagya accept him as he is? What is the role of the elders of the couple in all this? Answers to these questions are found as the story progresses.
Performances
Newcomer Ganesh is fortunate to have landed a simple character that is not expected to do unrealistic dances and action. He looks decent enough. Varsha Bollamma, after a dud like 'Stand Up Rahul', has a weakly-written character. She also looks dull in many scenes.
Goparaju Ramana and Rao Ramesh (as the male lead's father) are fun to watch. VK Naresh has no much space, while Subbaraju (as the male lead's boss) is better than Vennela Kishore. Harshavardhan, 'Amrutham' fame Siva Narayana, and Sunaina fit the bill. Divya Sripada of 'Colour Photo' fame has got a key role.
Technical aspects
'Nee Chaaredu Kalle', rendered by Arman Malik, was expected to work better in the film. But it doesn't. The montage songs don't quite uplift the narration. Music director Mahati Swara Sagar's songs need to show versatility. His BGM is run-of-the-mill.
Avinash Kolla's production design and Navin Nooli's editing are basic. Suryaa's cinematography is able.
Analysis
In 2012, when 'Vicky Donor' (Hindi) came out, director Shoojit Sircar was commended for telling a light-hearted story built around sperm donation. 'Swathi Muthyam' is perhaps the first mainstream, straight Telugu film that consciously attempts something remotely similar. Debutant director Lakshman K Krishna questions the cultural taboo afflicting the sensitive topic of sperm donation.
Since the makers had revealed the sperm donation angle before the film's release, the second half of the film needed to carry dramatic heft. The scenes, however, are superficial. The love story-type narration built in the first half is allowed to be frittered away in the second half. This is not to say that there should have been rom-com scenes in the second hour. But giving Bhagya Lakshmi limited screen time shows the immaturity of the writing department.
It is Goparaju Ramana and Rao Ramesh who make more impact than even the male lead. The former is seen as a typical loud-mouthed yet good-natured uncle who tries to create a ruckus during a traditional Indian wedding. Rao Ramesh's reactions to his son's shockers are hilarious to watch. On the other hand, the mothers of the lead pair have nothing worthy to speak.
While 'Swathi Muthyam' gets some comedy portions right, its emotions are flat. They have been written with zero depth and feel. Even the resolution is unrealistic, considering how fast things get wrapped up.
Closing Remarks
'Swathi Muthyam' has a decent premise, but the story is really flat. The emotional base of the film is shaky. Situational comedy works to a limited extent.
