Padayatra for the ages

[Devarajan Master]

Yatra: "He wanted to leave a footprint in history. Instead he left one in the heart of people." - 'Padayatra' for the ages.

Yatra, the Telugu movie written and directed by Mahi V. Raghav is a fitting tribute to the late Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Dr Y.S.Rajashekhara Reddy.

Many of the biopics have either a documentary feel or paint the hero out of the world in usual stereotypes. Yatra is not even a biopic literally. It focuses on a very short period of time in the life of YSR but which turns out to be the most crucial in his political career. Yatra is all about the 1475 Kilometers Padayatra of YSR under the scorching sun through the heartland of the undivided Andhra Pradesh before the 2004 general election. It was a unique journey by YSR and his followers talking to the poor people, farmers, women, children, sleeping with the villagers, eating from their plates, visiting patients in the general hospital, promising food, health and education to them if he ever come to power. The movie reminds us that not long ago there lived a great chief minister who cared for the people.

Mahi V. Raghav's screnplay and making is absolutely top notch. He has proved that you can make a mass movie even without fights, dance, funs and whatever if you have the right script and a towering actor. He makes us believe that YSR was a great mass leader without resorting to any of the larger than life acts of a mass hero. Mahi V. Raghav makes you sit and watch the emotional scenes on the edge of the seat. YSR's introduction itself gives you goosebumps and sets the tone of the movie brilliantly. Every scene of the movie has the film maker's signature written all over it. Moreover, the dialogues he has written for the movie is fabulous.

The cinematography by Sathyan Sooryan captured the walk of a lifetime in all it's splendour. Sreekar Prasad's editing is brisk. Background scores and music by 'K' are fascinating and adds a cutting edge to the movie. The lyrics of Sirivennala Sitarama Sastry is said to be one of the highlights of the movie. Both 'Padayatra' song and the song that depicts the plight of farmers sung by SPB are beautiful.

All the supporting actors have done a tremendous job. Suhasini, Ashrita Vemuganti, Rao Ramesh, Jagapathi Babu have all played their roles well.

Mammootty's debut in Telugu cinema was in 1992 through Swathikiranam directed by K.Viswanath, the greatest Telugu film maker of all time. In Swathikiranam he played the protagonist Anantharama Sharma, an eminent Carntatic musician(Read it again.....Carnatic Musician!!). Mammootty portrayed that character brilliantly and the performance was widely acclaimed by the critics. If Swathikiranam was for the connoisseur, Mammootty has returned to Telugu cinema playing the role of arguably their most popular chief minister.

Yatra is an out and out Mammootty movie. Every scene, every frame, you will be awestruck by the aura of an imposing but caring leader. Despite not having a physical resemblance, Mammootty made people believe that their beloved Rajanna was on the screen. With his irrepressible acting, amazing body language, superb Telugu diction and massive screen presence, he immortalized one of the most loved political leaders of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. After the gut wrenching performance in Peranbu, it was a complete transformation of Mammootty to YSR in Yatra. It's this ability to transform to any character that seperates a truly great actor from good actors. If any movie lover decide to 'let it go' for a sole reason that it's in Telugu, then they are sure to miss out on one of the most remarkable performances of Mammootty. No Indian actor has given life to a political leader in cinema with such swag and poise. It's a treat to watch Mammootty delivering dialogues in Telugu, a beautiful language widely regarded as the Italian of the east.

In fact , if an actor delivers two breathtaking performances in the space of a week in two different languages other than his mother tongue, then his name can only be Mammootty. No wonder, the great film makers of the country call him 'The Face of Indian Cinema'.

Yatra is undoubtedly a precious feather in the cap of the young film maker Mahi V. Raghav. Producers Vijay Chilla and Shashi Devi Reddy deserve applause and credit for their belief in Mahi V. Raghav in making a movie that's turning out to be a milestone in Telugu Cinema.

"He wanted to leave a footprint in history. Instead he left one in the heart of people." These words have come true not only in the life and times of the great leader Dr YSR but also in the return of Mammootty to Telugu Cinema.

[Mike]

Thanks Master..........

[Malik]

Thanks master.Kidu rvw

[Manoj]

Thanks master

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[vishnu vardhan]

again a great review mashe

[hakkimp]

Thanks Master...

[bilal john]

Thanks master.......

[mukkuvan]

Thanks Master......

[Akhil krishnan]

Thanks Master

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[baadshahmian]

THanks Master