Jul. 21, 2018|India|129 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Drama;Romance;South;Indian
Description: The 2018 Telugu film “Parichayam” follows the story of Anand (Virat Konduru) and Lakshmi (Simrat), childhood friends who fall in love. Their relationship faces a major challenge when a family conflict causes Lakshmi to lose her memory. The narrative focuses on Anand’s journey as he stands against all odds to support Lakshmi during her difficult time and reclaim her love.
Virat Konduru, in his debut role, delivers a commendable performance with a strong screen presence. He particularly shines in emotional scenes, especially a hospital sequence in the second half where he convincingly portrays varying emotions to persuade his father. Simrat Kaur, playing the village girl Lakshmi, appears charming and delivers a mature performance in emotionally charged scenes, showcasing growth from her previous work.
Veteran actors Rajeev Kanakala and Prudhvi effectively portray their roles as responsible fathers, with their dialogues reflecting the aspirations and mindset of modern parents. The film includes lighthearted moments through situational comedy involving the hero’s friends, which add a touch of humor.
However, despite a promising premise, the film struggles with execution. The emotional depth of the story is not fully realized on screen, and the narrative fails to offer anything beyond a minor twist in the heroine’s character. Pacing issues, a rushed ending, and excessive cinematic liberties weaken the core theme. Additionally, the role of senior actor Shiju feels underutilized and unrelated to the main plot.
On a positive note, the film’s visually stunning cinematography captures the scenic beauty of the Araku Valley. Naresh Kancharana’s work in showcasing the natural landscapes stands out. Praveen Pudi’s editing keeps the runtime concise, while Sekhar Chandra’s music, though average, features a compelling background score that enhances the audio-visual experience in the latter half.
Overall, “Parichayam” presents a decent story but falls short in delivering a compelling cinematic experience due to its uneven execution and lack of originality.
Cast director: Lakshmikanth Chenna
Cast actor: Rajiv Kanakala, Simrat Kaur, Virat Konduru, Padmaja Lanka, Venkateswara Rao Paruchuri, Prudhviraj, Shiva Narayana, Sijju
Original name: పరిచయం