35, initially slated for an August 15 release, finally premiered on September 6. Produced by actor-turned-producer Vishwadev Rachakonda, alongside Siddharth Rallapalli and Srujan Yarabolu of S Originals, and presented by Rana Daggubati under Suresh Productions, the film aims to offer a meaningful family experience centered around children and their school education.
Plot Overview
35 centers on Prasad (played by Vishwadev Rachakonda) and Saraswathi (Nivetha Thomas), a middle-class Brahmin couple from Tirupati. Prasad, a bus conductor, and Saraswathi, who only completed tenth grade, are parents to Arun and Varun. Arun struggles with mathematics, failing repeatedly despite being promoted through classes. His math teacher, Chanakya (Priyadarshi), exacerbates Arun’s difficulties by taunting him and separating him from his friends. The film follows Arun’s journey to overcome these challenges and seek answers to his academic struggles.
Performances
Nivetha Thomas delivers a standout performance, bringing depth and emotion to her role. Vishwadev Rachakonda complements her with a restrained portrayal that resonates with audiences. Priyadarshi’s depiction of the math teacher, though somewhat caricaturish, adds significant depth to the narrative. Krishna Teja, Bhagyaraj, and Gauthami also deliver strong performances, contributing to the film’s overall impact. The child actors perform their roles authentically, enhancing the film’s emotional appeal.
Technical Aspects
35 features impressive cinematography by Niketh Bommi, creating a visually appealing and realistic portrayal of Tirupati. The film’s lighting adds a nuanced, three-dimensional quality to its visuals. Vivek Sagar’s background score complements the narrative, though the decision to use sync sound occasionally makes dialogue hard to follow.
Strengths
- Nivetha Thomas’s Performance: Her portrayal is heartfelt and carries the film.
- Lead Actors’ Chemistry: The performances by Nivetha and Vishwadev are compelling.
- Emotional Resonance: The film effectively captures the emotional challenges of school life.
Weaknesses
- Pacing Issues: Some parts of the film are slow and could benefit from tighter editing.
- Narrative Integration: The film’s critique of the education system feels somewhat forced.
Analysis
35 is a labor of love that resonates with audiences of all ages. While it may initially seem to cater more to a mature audience, its depiction of school life and parental struggles will appeal to a wide range of viewers. The film’s subtle but effective mass moments, particularly involving the children’s interactions, add humor and entertainment value.
The film’s core message, encapsulated in its catchphrase “chinna katha kaadhu” (not a small story), emphasizes that even seemingly minor issues can have significant emotional impact. Despite some narrative hiccups and pacing issues, 35 stands out for its quality storytelling and heartfelt performances. Directed by Nanda Kishore Emani, it draws comparisons to Bollywood films like Taare Zameen Par and Nil Battey Sannata, with a touch of K Viswanath’s influence.
Bottom Line: 35 is a clean and touching family drama worth watching for its sincere attempt to address real-life issues within the educational system.
Rating: 3/5
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