After the debacle of Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali (2022), director Mohana Krishna Indraganti makes his return with Sarangapani Jathakam. The film stars Priyadarshi, who has recently enjoyed success with Court. Let’s explore what elements of the film succeeded and where it fell short.
Story
The story centers around Saranga, portrayed by Priyadarshi, a man who has held a deep belief in astrology since childhood. The narrative kicks off with his engagement to Maithili (Roopa Koduvayur). However, their relationship soon faces challenges due to Saranga’s unwavering faith in astrology. As the film progresses, viewers witness Saranga’s journey as he confronts the impact of his blind beliefs on his life, ultimately learning to let go.
Performances
Priyadarshi takes center stage, effectively carrying the film throughout its duration. His portrayal of the underdog Saranga fits him well, yet for the character to resonate with the audience, a stronger connection is needed. While Priyadarshi delivers a commendable performance, there is potential for him to be more relatable and expressive. He shows improvement but still has a way to go.
Roopa Koduvayur’s role as the female lead is significant, but her character suffers from minimal screen time. She manages well with the material provided, although her presence and styling could be enhanced for greater impact.
Veteran actor Naresh barely has the opportunity to shine, whether in emotional or comedic moments. Similarly, skilled comedians like Vennela Kishore, Viva Harsha, Avasarala Srinivas, and Tanikella Bharani appear but leave little impression. The one standout in the supporting cast is Vadlamani Srinivas, who plays Saranga’s father. His portrayal, while not groundbreaking, comes across as more authentic than others.
Behind the scenes
The music by Vivek Sagar fails to impress, with none of the songs making a lasting impression, and the background score is mostly underwhelming—apart from one tune that works reasonably well. The cinematography by PG Vinda presents a decent visual experience for a small-budget film. However, editing by Marthand K. Venkatesh could have benefited from being tighter, particularly during the extended hotel sequences in the second half.
Final Verdict
Writer-director Mohanakrishna Indraganti opts for a straightforward narrative centered around superstition and astrology. Though the premise holds promise, the film struggles due to a lack of fresh ideas and lacklustre writing.
The opening effectively establishes Saranga’s firm belief in astrology and introduces a murder twist that adds intrigue. However, as a light-hearted story, the film doesn’t require strict logic, but rather consistent and witty humor—where it ultimately falters. The jokes often come across as outdated and uninspired.
For instance, the “Bamma comedy block” in the first half aims for humor but falls flat, while the “Simon Darknet” perfume subplot was old fashioned for a film set in 2025.
The second half drags on, mainly set in a hotel in Vizag, resembling a never-ending soap opera. It lacks the necessary energy, and the concluding moments, which should have been poignant or meaningful, instead turned trivial and forgettable.
In summary, Indraganti had a unique concept at his disposal, but his hindsighted approach and poor writing has marred the film’s potential.
Sarangapani Jathakam had the ingredients to be a fun, quirky film with emotional depth. However, it ultimately emerges as a dull and antiquated comedy that may have fared better if released on OTT than on the big screen.
https://snooper-scope.in/sarangapani-jathakam-trailer-a-whimsical-comedy-with-a-hilarious-twist
