Thella Kagitham Review: Too Forced to Feel

BOTTOM LINE
Too Forced to Feel

RATING
2/5

Story, Screenplay, Director: Ramesh Bandreddi
Cast: Harsh Roshan, Nakshatra, Deepak, Ajay
Music Director: Vijai Bulganin
DOP: K. V. Guhan
Editor: Karthika Srinivas R
Producer: Krishna Kommalapati
Presented By: Arunachala Creations
Production Company: Arunachala Creations
U.S. Distributor: Prathyangira Cinemas

Related Links: Trailer

What Is the Film About?

Thella Kaagitham is a romantic emotional drama based on a real-life incident. The story revolves around two teenagers, Ramu and Asha, who experience first love during their adolescence. Their innocent romance slowly gets complicated because of the immature decisions they make, eventually changing the course of their lives.

The film attempts to explore teenage emotions, first love, insecurity, family pressure and the consequences of decisions made at a young age. The title Thella Kaagitham refers to an innocent life and the formative memories and experiences that get written onto it.

Performances

Harsh Roshan looks comfortable on screen. He has good ease during the dance portions as well. As Ramu, he portrays the confusion, insecurity and naivety of a teenager experiencing first love well.

Debutante Nakshatra is okay with relatable screen presence. As Asha, she connects well with the audience in the first half, particularly because of her innocence. However, her character is not given much meat in the second half, which limits what she can do.

Deepak Mali, as Mohamed Thomas Siva, the hero’s friend, provides some good laughs in the first half and adds a much-needed lighter touch to the proceedings.

Analysis

Ramesh Bandreddi directs Thella Kaagitham, with the story, screenplay and dialogues written by Nandu Savarigana. The film starts on a fairly decent note and takes its time establishing the teenage world and the relationship between Ramu and Asha.

The youthful atmosphere, innocent romance and fun elements work in parts. The performances of Harsh Roshan and Nakshatra also help the proceedings. Deepak’s comedy adds good laughs.

Some of the fun portions, particularly the balloon and Johnny Sins scenes, worked well in theatres and had the audience in splits. The first half ends with a predictable twist.

However, the film takes a serious turn in the second half, and this is where things start to go downhill.

The fun and nostalgia disappear, and the entire narrative becomes increasingly focused on teenage pregnancy and its consequences. The core issue itself is relevant, but the problem is the way it is stretched. After a point, the proceedings become tiring, and the audience starts waiting for the film to reach the climax.

The film attempts to become a socially responsible drama about teenage mistakes and their consequences. But the biggest problem is that most of the major consequences in the film happen because of foolish decisions taken by the lead characters rather than circumstances beyond their control. Because of this, the audience doesn’t develop enough sympathy for them.

Ramu forcing Asha to become intimate can be understood to an extent from his insecurity and immaturity. But Asha accepting his demand does not feel organic or convincing enough. These crucial writing decisions make it difficult to emotionally invest in what happens later.

The climax tries hard to be tragic and heart-wrenching. But it comes across as forced. It feels as though the writer and director intentionally want to make everything tragic simply for the sake of creating impact.

A romantic emotional drama works when the audience laughs and cries with the characters throughout their journey. Sadly, that doesn’t happen with Thella Kaagitham, especially in the second half.

Nandu Savarigana’s dialogues are one of the better aspects of the writing. While the story and screenplay leave a lot to be desired, some dialogues are genuinely good and hilarious, particularly in the lighter portions.

The film also deals with teenage pregnancy at a time when today’s young audience has considerably more awareness about sex and sexual well-being. Because of this, the way the central issue is presented may not necessarily connect with the Gen-Z audience as strongly as intended.

Tamil cinema has handled similar emotional subjects with much stronger screenplays and a better understanding of how to build sympathy for the characters.

Overall, Thella Kaagitham has some fun moments sprinkled here and here, but the second half derails in its attempt to turn the film into a serious, socially responsible drama. The intention is visible, but the execution fails to deliver the emotional punch required.

Performances by Other Actors

Ajay brings some credibility to the role of Asha’s strict and doubtful father. Deepak Mali is entertaining as the hero’s friend. Saranya is a fine performer, but she is wasted here. Goparaju Ramana and Rajkumar Kasireddy provide adequate support in their respective roles.

Music and Other Departments?

Vijai Bulganin’s music is fine and suits the mood of the film. The songs that come in the first half are tuneful, while the background score tries to complement the youthful and emotional portions without becoming a major distraction.

K.V. Guhan’s cinematography is decent and does its job within the limitations of the film’s budget. Technically, Thella Kaagitham is an okay product without any major complaints.

The writing is where the film suffers the most. The first half has some freshness and natural moments, but the second half becomes stretched and increasingly forced. The screenplay struggles to maintain the emotional connect once the film becomes serious.

Highlights?

Lead Pair

Some Fun in the First Half

Drawbacks?

Dragged Second Half

Weak Emotional Connect

Forced Message

Forced Ending

Did I Enjoy It?

First half, to some extent

Will You Recommend It?

Not really

Thella Kaagitham Movie Reviewed by Kalyan

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