Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi Review

Oohalu Gusagusalaade marked the debut of Naga Shaurya and Avasarala Srinivas and cemented their careers. Their next collaboration Jyo Achyutananda too received applause. After a long hiatus, the duo teamed up for Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi (PAPA). The film took a chunk of the time and finally saw the light of the day. Has Shaurya and Srinivas delivered yet another success? Will it be a hattrick? Let’s find out.

Plot:

Anupama Kasturi (Malvika Nair) and Sanjay Pisipati (Naga Shaurya) are senior, juniors in college in the UK. But soon they became best friends and in no time turned into lovers. But their relationship hits trouble when Anupama is about to leave the college. Who is Giri (Avasarala Srinivas) and how does he come in between Aupama and Sanjay? Do Anupama and Sanjay win their love? Will it be a happy-ending? The answers we get only on the big screen.

Performances

Naga Shaurya is as natural as Sanjay. He doesn’t need to put in any effort to play the role. His role has shades like a college boy, working professional and a matured man. In all these, he did his part well. Malvika is alright as Anupama, a year-senior to Sanjay. Throughout the film she donned a natural look without make-up. Megha Chowdhury doesn’t have a role beyond staring at Shaurya and going gaga over him. Avasarala Srinivas’ role also needed better writing. His role in Oohalu Gusagusalaade was far better, which was also a triangular love story like PAPA. Rest of the characters are passable and don’t leave any impact.

Technicalities

Writer-director Avasarala Srinivas took a backseat as the proceedings lacked the strength. Writing and direction are not effective. Kalyani Malik’s music is a big saving grace. Kanula Chatu Meghama and Neetho Ee Gadichina Kalam are not just music to ears but shot well. Slow-pace is a major hindrance. Production values are good. UK visuals are appealing.

Highlights

Songs & Photography

Drawbacks

Chapters Narration
Sanjay & Anupama’s Love Track
Ineffective Scenes & Slow Pace

Analysis

Director Avasarala Srinivas wanted to make an Indie film. This was the origin of Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi. But he chose an established cast and crew. The problem of PAPA lies in the very motive to make it an Indie movie. On top of this, the director continued his experiment with sync sound to make it look very natural. But it gives a feeling of watching a documentary.

Avasarala Srinivas chose a simple love story and tried to complicate it. But nowhere it gets complicated. It only gets boring and stretched beyond usual. The characters just come and go without a major purpose.  The love track between the lead pair deserves far better story and writing. The ineffective scenes and slow-paced flow just tests patience. For instance, the Avakaya scene, the unwanted proceedings between Abhishek Maharshi and foreign girl and her birthday party all looked forced. There was a lot of scope to generate fun and comedy. Deva Katta’s Vennela was way better where Indian students in foreign encounter with. Neither the comedy nor love story worked in PAPA, leaving audiences baffled. 

The ineffective scenes are all over. The scenes that ought to work too failed to work. The magic of the lead pair is crucial for this film. Even that didn’t work as intended. Maybe PAPA sounded nice on paper, but it didn’t translate on screen. It was completely lost in the translation. The feel-good factor is not enough to save this weak writing. The chapters-wise narration doesn’t do any justice to story.

Having said these, PAPA has some moments to savour. The emotion is good. The songs by Kalyani Malik are superb. He is one of the underrated musicians who deserve more opportunities. Though the film may not have worked, the songs are going to stay for long. Overall, PAPA lacked the freshness and appeal. It failed to create Oohala Gusagusalaade magic. 

Verdict: ‘PAPA’ Tests Patience

Rating: 2/5