Are you a fan of Prakash Raj? Ever wondered why he is often under-utilised or wasted in mainstream films across Bollywood, Tollywood, and Kollywood? If yes, then Ranga Marthanda is the film that finally does justice to his talent. This Telugu movie is a perfect example of how a story soars and shines when a character-actor carries it on their shoulders.
Directed by Krishna Vamsi, who returns to the director’s seat after six years, Ranga Marthanda is a remake of the award-winning 2016 Marathi film, Natsamrat. The Marathi version, directed by Mahesh Manjrekar with Nana Patekar in the lead, was adapted from a play of the same name.
Ranga Marthanda revolves around Raghava Rao (Prakash Raj), a theatre artiste who retires from the stage after ruling it for decades. The plot begins with a felicitation ceremony, where Rao is awarded for his unparalleled contribution to the art form. Soon after, he distributes his wealth among his children, with nothing left to his name. But contrary to his expectations, he and his wife, Raju Garu (Ramya Krishnan), are ill-treated by their children. As the plot unfolds, Rao reminisces about his pivotal performances and his learnings from each of them.
In a crucial scene, a character says that an artiste’s life is a “test by fire and spring in a cremation ground”. Rao’s post-retirement life, sprinkled with nostalgia for his glorious career and struggle with his tumultuous present, makes for a heartwarming story.
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A Prakash Raj show
It is easy to present a successful actor in a formulaic avatar, especially when the audience already loves and accepts them in that role. But often, directors experiment with a never-seen-before side of such performers, which—especially in the case of a superlative actor like Raj—yields excellent results.
Not just Raj, even his on-screen friend, played by Brahmanandam, is portrayed in a refreshing manner. His role in Ranga Marthanda is unlike the comic ones he has played in the past, lending charm and depth to even the simplest scenes. With or without Raj, his infectious screen presence leaves you rooting for him more and more.
Even Ramya Krishnan, who plays the family’s matriarch, is perfect in her role. But despite a stellar supporting cast, it is Raj who ultimately steals the show. For years, the audience has loved him for his performances across Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam films. He is among the rare breed of actors for whom language is no bar. It is heartening to see a performer of his stature exercise his acting muscle and a film that celebrates his versatility. And, when coupled with Brahmanandam, he creates magic on screen.
Ilaiyaraja’s music magnifies the charm created by an able cast, while the cinematography by Raj K Nalli is decent at best. The film’s pace falters at various points, but — as they must be — performances by its ensemble cast are Ranga Marthanda’s biggest strength.
For a film high on emotion, it would be a struggle for Ranga Marthanda to bring younger spectators to theatres, especially when pan-Indian, masala entertainers seem to be doing better. But if you analyse it from a fan’s perspective, this movie will surely go down as one of the finest performances by Raj and Brahmanandam. Perhaps this is enough for cinephiles to appreciate the cinematic gem that is Ranga Marthanda.
(Edited by Zoya Bhatti)