BOTTOM LINE
Simple. Soulful. Sumanth.
PLATFORM
ETV WIN
RUNTIME
2h 16Mins
What Is the Film About?
Vyas is a teacher at the same school where his wife, Bhagyalakshmi, is the principal. Their son Ram struggles with his grades and resists rote learning. Vyas’s innovative teaching methods draw attention from his son and students alike, leading to remarkable progress. Meanwhile, his marriage begins to suffer, and in a cruel twist of fate, his future hangs in the balance, leaving him to face an uncertain path.
Performances
Sumanth’s casting in Anaganaga feels both appropriate and believable, especially considering his previous roles in Dhanush’s Sir and Golconda High School. He delivers a controlled, sincere performance that allows the story to shine. While the film primarily revolves around him, a series of spirited supporting performances add to its overall appeal.
Kajal Chaudhary makes a decent impression despite her one-note role. The young child actor Viharsh Yadavalli impresses, while Rakesh Rachakonda convincingly brings his character to life. Anu Haasan also shines in a brief yet sparkling cameo. Srinivas Avasarala, however, feels underutilised, while BVS Ravi, Shiva Kandukuri don’t get enough screen time to make much impact.
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Analysis
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An orphan asks his caretaker why he needs to listen to a story and what purpose it serves. The caretaker replies, “Stories are like lullabies from a mother, strength from a father, joy from a friend, and knowledge from a teacher. In short, they introduce you to the world.” When the child grows up to become a teacher, how far does he go to share the transformative power of storytelling? Anaganaga, through a father-son saga, is that very story for you.
Vyas is like the Robin Williams of Dead Poets Society and Ram Shankar Nikumbh from Taare Zameen Par. He’s not just a teacher—he strives for change. Believing in the power of stories rooted in the Indian knowledge system, he aims to make education more relevant and engaging for students. His ‘radical’ methods, however, clash with the school management, including his wife Bhagyalakshmi, which puts his marriage under strain.
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Sandwiched between his father’s idealism and his mother’s adherence to conventions is their son, Ram, whose grades aren’t very encouraging. Vyas’s methods gradually pique Ram’s interest, as well as that of his peers. However, all his plans come to a grinding halt with a shocking revelation. Believing that his ideas should outlive him, Vyas embarks on a new mission. How does this decision influence his son’s beliefs and shape his relationship with Rajalakshmi?
Although Anaganaga could’ve been just another preachy story about an inspiring teacher trying to reform the education system, debutant Sunny Sanjay’s choice to present it as a father-son drama adds a compelling emotional depth that keeps the story engaging. The director touches on his themes broadly, taking a few cinematic liberties, focusing less on intricate details and more on the familiar (yet effective) emotional threads.
Like many films addressing an anomaly or issue within an industry or system in need of reform, Anaganaga operates on the belief that a single know-it-all character can be a catalyst for change and improve society. Sure, Vyas has big ideas capable of transforming a child’s worldview, but the film doesn’t convincingly show how these ideas are sufficient to bring about meaningful change. Amidst the bombastic talks, a sense of clarity is missing.
The film’s core is built around Vyas’s noble intentions and strong belief in his methods. But the changes happen way too easily and quickly, almost too good to be true — a student who barely survives a suicide attempt finds hope to live again, the worst performer in a class suddenly becomes top of the class, and a small-time tuition centre turns into a lively, successful school. How did all this happen? One can nearly hear the director saying, “Trust me, bro…”
While the family drama is the lifeline of the film, the story of a rebellious, pathbreaking teacher fighting a private school is not all that convincing. Though some of its writing decisions are slightly amateurish, the execution is surprisingly neat and refined – the director knows a trick or two to drive his story forward through sharp visuals, crisp scenes and extracts good performances from his cast.
On the whole, Anaganaga may have its problems, but the positives largely outweigh them. The director’s well-intentioned story is ably backed by the classy treatment and the execution. The focused narration, music, cinematography, performances come together to ensure a decent product. After a long dry spell, the Telugu OTT space can heave a sigh of relief.
Music and Other Departments?
Chandu Ravi’s music, both the score and the generally hummable songs, effectively complement the film’s themes and help audiences connect emotionally. Despite some limitations posed by the locations and backdrops, Pavan Kumar Pappula’s cinematography remains visually appealing, enhanced further by classy costumes and impressive production design. While the film’s momentum dips in the second half, the editing remains sharp, maintaining the overall energy and spirit of the story.
Highlights?
– Well-intentioned story, classy execution
– Sumanth’s controlled, sincere performance
– Impressive technical contributions, from music to visuals
Drawbacks?
– Well-intentioned story, classy execution
– Sumanth’s controlled, sincere performance
– Impressive technical contributions, from music to visuals
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes
Anaganaga Etv Win OTT Movie Review by M9
