Cast: Payal Rajput, Chaitanya, Nandita Swetha, Shravan Reddy, Azmal Ameer and Ajay Ghosh
Direction: Ajay Bhupathi
After a disaster like ‘Samudram’, young director Ajay Bhupathi returns with a bold and unique theme in his latest release ‘Mangalavaram’. He deserves kudos for keeping the intimate scenes within limits, despite having an opportunity to go overboard and touch eroticism. Undoubtedly, it is Payal Rajput’s film all the way as she suffers from ‘intense sexual desires’ and who also suffers guilt after indulging in sexual acts to deliver a terrific performance. Payal Rajput who became a sexy siren after her bold act in ‘RX 100’, again breathes life into the role of an innocent village belle who is unable to control her desires. She showcases a gamut of emotions and ends up drawing sympathy for her mental disorder. Director blends nymphomania and murder mystery well but he should have cut down on the duration and could have avoided relegating all the interesting elements to the second half, to make the first half just passable. Director Ajay, erstwhile assistant of RGV, is adept in capturing erotic moments and also makes them watchable for film viewers.
Nandita Swetha plays a tough cop but has nothing much to do in the film, while Krishna Chaitanya does a good job as a strict village head. Ajay Ghosh evokes few laughs in this otherwise suspense thriller revolving around mysterious deaths of villagers. It had shades of ‘Kantara’ where villagers observe 'unusual faces' to dread but the story chosen by Ajay Bhupathi is quite different and ahead.
The film starts with childhood scenes around young friends-Payal Rajput and Priyadarshi- who are close to each other until fate separates them. Payal also has issues with her father and lives with her grandmother. Later, film moves to killings in villages over alleged affairs and writings all the all about their misdeeds kicks off well. At the midpoint, the film shows grown up Payal who falls in love with her lecturer (Azmal Ameer). What happened to her love and life, forms the rest of the story.
Actress Payal Rajput deserves a pat for doing such a shocking role and it is surely going to enhance her sexual appeal among masses and youth. She underplays her emotions and sufferings with conviction and scores high in a self-piteous role. Interestingly, director Ajay brings in a professional doctor to describe her helpless state of hypersexualtiy and raises the bar on Telugu cinema. Ravindra Vijay excels in the role of doctor and also as a guardian of Payal. Composer Ajneesh Loknath belts out intriguing and racy background scores to sustain the interest and mood, while cinematographer captures few breathtaking visuals.
Ajay Bhupathi justified the title ‘Mangalavaram’ (Tuesday) which is adored by Goddess Mahalakhmi and killings happening on this day, gives the film a divine touch.
