BOTTOM LINE
Best Enjoyed as a Home Watch
RATING
2.5/5
CENSOR
2h 20m, ‘U’ Certified.
What Is the Film About?
Vasudevan (Sarath Kumar) and his family are fed up with the troubles of living in a rented house. He desperately wants to own a house and live with his family happily there. However, circumstances don’t help him much.
Prabhu (Siddharth) is Vasu’s son, and he shares the dream of owning a house. The movie’s basic story concerns whether the son fulfils the father’s wish. The problems that stop him from achieving that form the rest of the plot.
Performances
Siddharth is a perfect fit for the character. We see it growing up through different phases of life and the actor moves along smoothly for the most part. The initial younger portions, where the de-ageing is used, feel a little distracting, and that’s the only concern.
But, as the narrative progresses, Siddharth starts to live the part and manages to convey the pain and angst of the part well, without going overboard. We see this mainly in the second half, with a few scenes touching the right emotional chords. 3BHK gives Siddhath another role to impress within his zone, and he shines.
Sarath Kumar is also like a parallel lead playing the hero’s father. The actor also faces similar issues as Siddharth with the initial de-aged looks onscreen. However, as the narrative progresses, and he gets into his present state, the act comes to life.
For Sarath Kumar, who is mostly seen as an action hero, the character offers change. Playing an ageing middle-class father takes us back to his acting stint with the Supergood Films banner. However, we see a more subtle and calmer act here compared to those times. It is a good outing for the senior hero.
Chaitra J Achar and Meetha Raghunath are the younger female cast with Devayani being the senior one. All three have a similar kind of role, in a way, but differ at the relationship levels. The three fit the narrative perfectly and easily go through the emotions.
Analysis
Sri Ganesh writes and directs 3BHK. It is based on Aravindh Sachidanandam’s short story 3BHK Veedu. It is a simple slice-of-life story with emotions and drama as the focal point.
The basic story of the movie is set within the opening few minutes. Further, the block sets the tone for the emotions and subsequent drama to come. Everything looks predictable and routine, and the de-ageing looks of the key players make it look like they are trying too hard to milk the emotions.
The first hour or so goes in this predictable path, but it does so sincerely. It also hits all the dramatic moments one by one. It is neither too flat nor, at the same time, gives the emotional depth to make one connect deeply. It is on the hooks, thereabouts.
By the time we arrive at the interval, the narrative slowly starts to get in the groove. However, it is not there wholly yet, and the break feels like a minor relief.
However, things start to move in the right direction, emotionally, post-intermission. The scenario, although still very predictable, is neatly executed and has emotion. One is hooked into the proceedings.
It is the last hour, when the movie finally gets everything. The issues with various family members, the inter-personal relations and the drama associated with all of it get packed neatly.
Nothing is out of the world here, yet the small moments and the expected drama register. The frustration that Prabhu’s character goes through and the debt trap with a loan are all brought together perfectly.
In the end, the all-important climax delivers, and the movie ends on a satisfactory note. The feel-good factor is carried with the emotions placed properly in their place.
Overall, 3BHK doesn’t offer any novelty story-wise. It is a predictable one from the start. But the journey towards the expected end, achieving the goal, is satisfying, despite the initial lag. If you love feel-good dramas with a relatable theme and some tears in between, try it, for sure.
Performances by Others Actors
Apart from the main members of the family and the cast essaying them, the rest don’t have many roles. We have Yogibabu, but he only appears briefly. The rest the less the better, even though they do the little bits and pieces part well.
Music and Other Departments?
Amrith Ramnath’s music is okay. The songs go with the flow. The background score, however, is the movie’s lifeline. It is what keeps us hooked even when ordinary things are happening on screen. The cinematography is fine and captures the confined nature of the lower middle class adequately. The editing could have been better during the first hour. The writing is okay.
Highlights?
Relatable Emotions
Pre-Climax And Climax
Casting
BGM
Drawbacks?
Predictable Story
De-aged Looks Initially
Forced Emotions At The Start
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, the final hour is emotionally engaging.
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, if you’re into slow, slice-of-life stories – otherwise, it’s best watched at home.
3BHK Telugu Movie Review by M9
