“Parakramam” Movie Review: Bandi Saroj Kumar’s Showcase of Heroism and Skill Mastery

Bandi Saroj Kumar, a versatile storyteller, demonstrates that he has the potential to create a genuine commercial blockbuster, provided he has a more engaging story to work with.

Bandi Saroj Kumar, a multi-talented artist, has gained a significant online following through his independent films such as Nirabandam 2, Mangalyam, Nirabhandam, and Sironcha. His unique style is characterized by impactful dialogues and powerful performances. His dedication, mastery of various crafts, and unwavering passion are truly impressive. From creating YouTube shorts to producing and releasing films in theaters, he has made remarkable strides in his career. The very existence of Parakramam as a theatrical release is a testament to his hard work, given the numerous roles he takes on—he is the writer, actor, producer, editor, music composer, lyricist, and director of the film.

In Parakramam, Bandi Saroj Kumar portrays Satti Babu, a theater artist known as Charlie Chaplin in his village of Lampakalova. He dreams of staging a play that exposes a harsh injustice he witnessed in his community but feels powerless to confront the adversaries. He realizes that his son, Lovaraju (also played by Bandi Saroj Kumar), has the bravery he lacks. Satti Babu takes his own life, leaving Lovaraju with a promise to right the wrongs and to play the role of Yama in the play titled Parakramam. The story follows Lovaraju’s heroic journey through cricket, a fractured love story, and his commitment to bringing his father’s vision to life by staging the play at Ravindra Bharathi.

The film’s opening and the moments leading up to Lovaraju’s introduction create a strong emotional resonance. The psychological setup surrounding Satti Babu, effectively portrayed by Bandi Saroj, is engaging and instills hope for a satisfying resolution. However, the eventual payoff is chaotic, and the film struggles to maintain a clear direction as it unfolds.

The standout performances in the film come from Kireeti Raju, who plays Suri Babu, and Sruthi Samanvi, who portrays Bujjamma, an autistic character. Bandi Saroj Kumar captivates as Charlie Chaplin, effectively conveying the vulnerability that draws viewers into the narrative. Venkat R Prasad’s cinematography adds significant momentum, aligning well with the director’s vision. The B-roll footage showcasing Hyderabad and the village enriches the film’s texture. However, the film’s color grading appears inconsistent, with uneven shadows and tones. Given its low-budget nature, these issues are minor.

Bandi Saroj Kumar seems to be riding the wave of his well-received indie projects, crafting scenes that aim to please his online fans, sometimes at the expense of a coherent storyline in favor of crowd-pleasing moments. This might leave first-time viewers of his work feeling perplexed and disconnected from the film’s heroic elements. While he has a flair for heroism, the journey he presents feels somewhat lackluster. Even the dialogue, which has garnered praise in his earlier films, comes across as overly philosophical and out of context in Parakramam. Nevertheless, there’s a standout line: “Kala unnodi daggarki kaayitham adhey osthadi” (The one who has art, the paper called money will fly to them), which encapsulates the essence of his journey as a solo creator.

Director: Bandi Saroj Kumar

Cast: Bandi Saroj Kumar, Sruthi Samanvi, Nikhil Gopu, Naga Lakshmi Yellagula, Mohan Senapathi, and Anil Lingampally.