Sita Ramam review: A cool breeze on a hot summer day

At a time when the Telugu film industry is churning out mediocre content and theatres are registering poor collections, Sita Ramam comes like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.

It’s a refreshing love story that makes you fall in love with the genre. Here’s why:

The story

Afreen (Rashmika Mandanna) returns to her hometown in Pakistan from London after messing up her studies. Upon her arrival, she learns that her grandfather (Sachin Khedekar) has passed away and left a note for her.

In the note, the grandfather asks her to hand over a letter to Sita (Mrunal Thakur), W/o Lieutenant Ram (Dulquer Salmaan), whose whereabouts are unknown.

Now, Afreen is on a mission to locate Sita, with the limited clues she has about Ram — he was part of the Madras Regiment and posted as a lieutenant in Kashmir.

Afreen (situated in 1985) also realises that the letter was written two decades ago, in 1965, and is waiting for Sita.

Will Afreen find Sita? Where is Ram? What has Ram got to do with a person from Pakistan? The storyline answers these questions.

Thanks for all the unanimous love ❤️

Celebrate #SitaRamam in cinemas near you!#SitaRamamInCinemas@dulQuer @mrunal0801 @iamRashmika @iSumanth @hanurpudi @AshwiniDuttCh @VyjayanthiFilms @SwapnaCinema @DQsWayfarerFilm @LycaProductions @SonyMusicSouth pic.twitter.com/irthoqLl0f

— Vyjayanthi Movies (@VyjayanthiFilms) August 5, 2022

Music and cinematography stand out

Sita Ramam has so many unexpected twists and turns that no audience can predict its course. Set in Kashmir and Hyderabad, this period love story is worth all your time. Screenplay and narration are the assets of the film. They keep you glued to the seats and pique your curiosity.

Music is the soul of this movie. Since the story is set in 1965, the songs have been composed with a retro vibe. Vishal Chandrasekhar adds life to the emotions and scenes through his music.

Every scene is a visual wonder, all thanks to PS Vinod’s cinematography. He vividly captures the unmatched beauty of Kashmir.

In fact, a couple of scenes shot in Kashmir would make you believe that the snowfall would create magic in Sita and Ram’s life. Vinod presents nature, its hues and moods in an artistic way.

In a nutshell, both the music and cinematography will blow you away.

#SitaRamam – A (S)oulful and (R)efreshing Film❤️❤️❤️
Ram and seeta just love you guys. @dulQuer @mrunal0801 After So many days watched a good film. Thank you @hanurpudi.
It will remain in our hearts as C.L.A.S.S.I.C @TharunBhasckerD@iamRashmika #SitaRamamReview
My letter to u. pic.twitter.com/JZpMkm9CJ9

— Sumanth Kalyan (@SumanthMj) August 5, 2022

Rashmika is the second hero

After delivering a stellar performance in Mahanati in 2019, Dulquer is back with another terrific performance. Mrunal chose the perfect role and story for her Telugu debut.

Indeed, they both get into the skin of Ram and Sita’s characters. They seem so effortless and beautiful in romantic scenes that they will sweep you off your feet.

Rashmika Mandanna is the second hero of the film and she needs to be applauded for carrying the whole movie on her shoulders.

It has been revealed in the titles that hers is a “special appearance”, but she’s exceptional.

Sumanth did a good job by choosing a role that’s contrary to his image as a “safe player”. Tharun Bhascker will make you laugh and even fall for his acting skills.

Gautham Menon, Prakash Raj, Sachin Khedekar, Bhumika, Vennela Kishore and Jisshu Sengupta appear as supporting artists and take the story forward.

More than 2 years of hard work of hundreds of people. Many ups and downs, but we only rose up! A glimpse of what went into the making of #SitaRamam.

Watch the making video here: https://t.co/edFeJ97y6R@dulQuer @mrunal0801 @iamRashmika @iSumanth @VyjayanthiFilms @SwapnaCinema

— Hanu Raghavapudi (@hanurpudi) August 4, 2022

A comeback film for Hanu

Director Hanu Raghavapudi has finally got back his form, after his previous ventures — Lie and Padi Padi Leche Manasu — proved to be box-office disasters. The four-year-long hiatus seems to have done wonders for him, and Sita Ramam can be termed his comeback film.

The film’s dialogues are well-written and they tug at your heartstrings. Producers Aswini Dutt and Swapna Dutt did not compromise on production values, which you can make out while watching the movie.

Sita Ramam’s story is similar to that of Roja. There’s Kashmir, love, marriage, “missing” husband, stunning visuals, fight for a soulmate… it’s almost the same. But what makes this different are the twists it is loaded with.

The two years of hard work put in by the team really pays off. Now, do yourself a favour and watch it in the nearest theatre.