Sukumar’s protégés follow his lead

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By Prabhatha Rigobertha

07/05/2023

Director Sukumar is popular for his films which are usually set in urban scenarios. But he seems to have developed a fantasy for rustic tales now.

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Right from his debut film, Allu Arjun’s Arya (2004) the filmmaker delivered back-to-back hits that had an urban background.

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Little did we know then that he would also successfully helm two rustic dramas — Rangasthalam (2018) and Pushpa (2021).

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Sukumar has also nurtured some young filmmakers. Three of them — Buchi Sana, Srikanth Odela and Karthik Dandu — made their debut films in rustic scenarios.

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Caste might not have been mentioned explicitly in their films, but it is obvious that the heroes in these movies are from lower castes.

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Rangasthalam deals with exploitation, feudalism and disability. Pushpa looked at the syndicate of the red Sandalwood business, and the dangers faced by the coolies from the police.

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In Uppena, Buchi Babu Sana did a wonderful job of exploring the bond that a fisherman shares with the sea.

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Srikanth Odela’s Dasara is set against the backdrop of Singareni Coal Mines. The caste politics are reminiscent of Rangasthalam but Srikanth has his voice, too.

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Karthik Varma Dandu’s Virupaksha is a paranormal thriller which makes some valid arguments against prejudices and superstitious beliefs.

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If we compare the above-mentioned movies to the Tamil ones such as Asuran and Kaala, there is a significant difference in how the issue of caste is portrayed.

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Having said that, for Telugu audiences, the likes of Rangasthalam and others are a definite step forward in the genre of caste-based films.

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