35-Chinna Katha Kaadu Movie Review : A Warm and Relatable Family Drama

Story: Set in the temple town of Tirupati, 35 – Chinna Katha Kaadu revolves around an orthodox middle-class family headed by Prasad (Vishwadev Rachakonda) and Saraswati (Nivetha Thomas). Their elder son, Arun Sharma (Arundev Pothula), struggles with mathematics, consistently earning zero marks as he questions the reasoning behind mathematical equations. His questions baffle both his parents and his strict teacher, Chanakya Varma (Priyadarshi Pulikonda), who labels him a ‘zero’. Concerned for his future, what does his mother, Saraswati, who herself failed to pass her 10th class exams, do to help him?

Review: 35 – Chinna Katha Kaadu, directed by Nanda Kishore Emani, is a slow-burn, heartfelt family drama that highlights the pressures children face within the education system and the crucial role parents play in guiding them. Nivetha Thomas, as Saraswati (aka Chinnu), delivers a stellar performance as a loving, determined mother who stops at nothing to help her son succeed. She truly inhabits the character, with her nuanced portrayal, standing out as the film’s strongest element.

Debutant director Nanda Kishore’s simple yet effective screenplay captures the beauty of middle-class life in a small town. Vivek Sagar’s warm music, combined with Niketh Bommireddy’s artistic cinematography, adds a soft yet vibrant hue that captivates the viewer. The film is filled with nuanced and heartwarming moments, with dialogues between husband and wife, parents and children, teachers and students, and among children themselves. These moments evoke emotions and a sense of nostalgia much like the Hindi hit film, Taare Zameen Par.

The entire cast, including Vishwadev Rachakonda as Prasad, Priyadarshi Pulikonda as Chanakya Varma, Gautami Tadimalla as Sarada, Arundev Pothula as Arun, Abhay Shankar Duvvuri as Varun, Ananya Madgula as Kiranmayi, Krishna Teja as DPR Murthy, and K Bhagyaraj as the principal, deliver honest and commendable performances.

While the narrative is a treat for the senses, invoking warmth and drama, the film takes its time to unfold, particularly in the second half. This slower pace may test the patience of some viewers. However, the relatable themes, heartfelt performances, and meaningful message make it worth watching, especially for those seeking something beyond commercial cinema.