The latest film by renowned director Krishna Vamsi, “Rangamarthanda,” has proved to be a successful adaptation of the Marathi film “Natsamrat,” which was directed by Mahesh Majrekar and starred Nana Patekar. The film, based on a play by Kusumagraj, has been skillfully adapted by Vamsi to appeal to Telugu audiences. The story follows the struggles of an actor stuck in his glory days and uncovers a tragic family drama that resonates with audiences.
The film begins with a tribute to the “actor,” Nenoka Natudni, and a visual montage of Telugu actors from the past to present, with Chiranjeevi’s voiceover. The film draws inspiration from great playwrights from English and Telugu in its narration, emphasizing that “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
Raghava Rao, a celebrated actor with decades of theatrical achievements, receives the title of Rangamarthanda (the king of theatre) and a gold bracelet, but shocks everyone by announcing his retirement to spend time with his family. The film explores the evolving fabric of family and society through the various layers and character shades of the story.
The cast’s outstanding performances put the film in a league of its own, particularly Prakash Raj and Brahmanadam, who give some of the best performances of their careers. Ramya Krishnan also subtly brings her brilliance to the mix, and Shivathmika Rajashekar impresses with her acting skills. The music by Maestro Ilaiyaraja and lyrics by Sirivennela Sitaramasastri amplify the emotional impact of the film.
Although the cinematography is decent, it could have been edited better. However, the emotionally stirring family drama of “Rangamarthanda” will keep audiences engaged and leave a lasting impression. This film may not have commercial elements, but the outstanding performances by the cast make it a must-watch.
