Peddha Kapu 1 review: This political drama set in the 80s leaves you confused and disoriented

After watching back-to-back releases Skanda (on Thursday, 28 September) and Peddha Kapu 1 (on Friday, 29 September), one would certainly realise that directors Boyapati Srinu and Srikanth Addala share striking characteristics as far as filmmaking is concerned.

Both filmmakers make you confused and disoriented with their storytelling.

While Boyapati confuses us with an overdose of violence and weapons, Addala does it with lousy storytelling.

Well, without further delay, let’s see what’s Peddha Kapu 1 is all about:

Synopsis

The story of Peddha Kapu 1 is set in a village in the Godavari Delta, Andhra Pradesh.

A majority of the people in the village eke out a livelihood at the mercy of landlords or jagirdars, the heads who rule the village with unbridled authority.

It was a time — the feudal era of the 80s — when atrocities against the backward communities were rampant and Andhra Pradesh was witnessing an intense political upsurge after NT Rama Rao gave a call to save the pride of Telugu.

One Peddha Kapu (Virat Karrna) from the oppressed community takes head on two heavyweights of the village — Satthi Rangayya (Rao Ramesh) and Bhayanna (Aadukalam Naren).

How he is drawn into village politics when he loses his loved ones? How he settles scores with these two dreadful politicians who fight for political upmanship in the village is the story.

గోదావరిని దాటడానికి తెప్పలు కావాలి, కానీ ఎవరు తిప్పలు దాటాలి అన్నా వీడు కావాలి! ✨

Introducing #Vikas as LEELA from the world of #PeddhaKapu1 💥

Paid Premieres & Advance Bookings Opened – https://t.co/cUR5QqfVSS

In cinemas from Tomorrow #PeddhaKapu1OnSep29th 🔥 pic.twitter.com/opxFiBEIai

— Dwaraka Creations (@dwarakacreation) September 28, 2023

Related: Srikanth Addala would constantly restrain my overenthusiasm, recalls Virat Karrna

Analysis

Peddha Kapu 1 is a political drama where it seems like the characters are trying to set the mood and vibe of the 80s — the attitude toward the land-owning castes.

But how does caste play a crucial part in political dominance?

Well, director Srikanth Addala tries to give an engaging introduction and sets a perfect premise for a story to take off.

The cinematography gives a distinct feel in the beginning. But it slowly peels off itself when the actual plot sets in.

The momentum goes haywire when NT Rama Rao sends an in-charge to every village in the State. Two arch rivals — Sathi Rangayya and Bayanna — have to decide themselves as to who would contest the elections.

Peddha Kapu 1 has a vibe of Rangasthalam (2018) but poles apart. At some point, you wonder why Srikanth Addala is still dabbling with age-old cinematic tropes.

You could be a bit artsy when it showcases sensitive elements of caste, politics, and gender. Needless dialogues, pointless scenes make you distressed towards the interval bang. It keeps ringing in the head during break time — who is who’s daughter and who is who’s father?

You may feel relaxed with the culmination of a fight scene full of blood and gore. Surprisingly, another atrocity overpowers the screen. And it goes on and on — the head is chopped, a woman is raped, and a group of men clashes with sickles and daggers.

Dialogues like “Meeku antha vunte, maaku entha vundali” (if you have that much (rage), how much should we have?) make your tummy full.

The second half is about how Peddha Kapu avenges the murder of his loved ones. What does Akkamma (Anasuya) have to do with village politics? However, it gets too predictive in the end.

Peddha Kapu 1 might have looked ambitious on paper, but it is not properly translated onto the screen. There is not much suspense or thrill in the story, nor it has upheld the pride of Telugus if at all the intentions behind the film are purely political.

Related: Cinematographer Chota K Naidu on ‘Peddha Kapu’

Performances

Debutant actor Virat Karrna looks massy in appearance. But his tone doesn’t have the proper intensity to pull off an intense character.

Srikanth Addala himself turned actor this time. He plays the role of a physically challenged son of the village head Sathi Rangayya. His introduction scene with a woman makes the audience curious.

Given his protruding eyes and wide expressions, you might jump the guns, but he looks off in most of the scenes.

Aadukalam Naren and Easwari Rao are the only actors to whom you get connected, in the entire runtime.

Brigida Saga is impressive.

Pragathi Srivasthava finds no meat in her character.

Music scored by Mickey J Meyer is good. But it could have been better.

Chota K Naidu romps home with credits because the cinematography deserves a pat.

His work stands as a textbook for budding DoPs. No one could have done better in capturing the silhouettes and the colourful village moods in the film.

Verdict

Deviating from his expertise in handling feel-good love stories, Srikanth Addala ventures into completely unknown territory with Peddha Kapu 1. However, handling stories with political themes needs skill with special knowledge.

(Views expressed here are personal.)