Small film Saranga Dariya is releasing today 12 July 2024. The film stars Raja Ravindra and is directed by Padmarao Abbisetti. Let us see how the film appealed to viewers.
Saranga Dariya story shows how a family faces society`s judgements and how far they go to protect their honour and achieve their dreams. Middleclass person Krishnakumar (Raja Ravindra) works as a lecturer at an Engineering College in Vizag. He lives with his family comprising of his wife Lakshmi (Neela Priya Devulapalli), his sons Arjun (Moin Mohammad), Sai (Mohit Pedada) and his daughter Anupama (Yashaswini Srinivas).
Krishnakumar is faced with multiple problems on personal and professional fronts with both his sons Arjun and Sai turning drunkards and loafers much to his disappointment. To the top of it, when the shocking secret involving his daughter Anupama gets exposed, everything gets devastated. Where this leads to And how they deal with him and what influence people like Raju (Shivakumar Ramachandravarapu), millionaire Batley (Srikanth Iyengar), Fathima (Madhu Latha), College Head Murthy (Harsha Vardhan) exert is the rest of the story.
Raja Ravindra delivered a commendable performance as the lecturer, showing a natural and realistic approach to the role. He effectively conveyed emotional depth through impactful dialogues, demonstrating versatility as a father. Yashaswini brought good emotions to her character, which included a significant twist. She convincingly portrayed the pain and frustration of being judged by others. Neela Priya performed well as the mother, adding to the familial dynamics.
Moin Mohammad had limited screen time with only a few dialogues and more scenes involving drinking. Sai was adequate in his role, while Srikanth Iyengar, Harsha Vardhan, and Shivakumar Ramachandravarapu played typical roles without much deviation. Madhu Latha was endearing in the role of Fathima, adding a charming presence to the film.
The story, crafted by Padmarao Abbisetti, aims to deliver a powerful societal message. Initially, the narration adopts a measured pace, but soon routine elements begin to surface. The first half focuses on the eldest son's drinking problem and the younger son's love affair. The interval twist, involving the heroine, provides a surprising and thought-provoking moment for the audience.
In the second half, the film shifts its focus to the emotional bonds within the family and their struggle against societal stigma and preconceived notions. While the climax is predictable, the story's emotional core remains strong throughout. Although many of the dialogues are routine, some moments are highlighted by powerful and impactful lines.
Ebenezer Paul's music is average, with the background score failing to elevate the scenes. Siddharth Swayambhu's cinematography is decent, effectively showcasing outdoor locations. However, Rakesh Reddy's editing could have been much better, as there are several slow and repetitive scenes. The production values are acceptable but could have been improved to enhance the overall impact of the film.
Altogether, Saranga Dariya is somewhat of a novelty story with a powerful message blended in it. Director Padmarao Abbisetti aimed to depict the apprehensions and fears experienced by family members and society. While he included some thought-provoking dialogues, the overall execution became routine and monotonous. With a bit more fine-tuning of the script and incorporating more twists and turns along with a brisker screenplay, the project could have been significantly more engaging and compelling. Considering all these elements, Cinejosh awards a rating of 2.25 for "Saranga Dariya".