Pekamedalu Movie Review : An empowering story of a woman with a satisfying ending

Story: Pekamedalu narrates the compelling story of Lakshman (Vinod Kishan) and Varalaxmi (Anoosha Krishna), a couple residing in the slums of Hyderabad. Lakshman, a B.Tech graduate, aspires to escape traditional employment and become a millionaire real estate broker. Meanwhile, his wife Varalaxmi supports the household through part-time work, dreaming of launching her own small business and ensuring a good education for their son. How the couple navigates to life with financial and relationship crises forms the crux of the story.

Review: 'Pekamedalu' is a true-to-life film that vividly portrays the middle-class mindset, highlighting how a woman is determined to give it all to her marriage until the end. The story beautifully showcases a woman's plight, her fight for her dreams, maternal love, her quest for freedom from an abusive relationship, and the dynamics of not conforming to traditional gender roles within marriage. The main leads, Vinod and Anoosha, who make their Tollywood debut, deliver performances that ensure the film's excellence from start to finish. A significant strength of the film is the character of Varalaxmi taking centre stage as Lakshman spirals downward in the second half.

The supporting cast, including Retika Srinivas, Anusha Nuthala, Muralidhar Goud, and Ganesh Thipparaju, delivers commendable performances, adding depth to the film. Pekademalu relies on character-driven storytelling and genuine emotions, although it does lag in some parts. The film also questions a woman's mindset about remaining in an abusive marriage due to societal pressures. However, a notable drawback is the story's failure to fully capture the traumatic emotions of the couple's son, who has to witness his parents' abusive relationship.

Director Nilgri Mamilla did a commendable job portraying and narrating a story on real-life struggles, supported by content-oriented actors and great music. The cinematography does justice to the film, showcasing the village background and incorporating Telangana folk music that depicts a woman's life. Another standout aspect is the background music and songs composed by Smaran Sai, which significantly enhance the film's emotional depth and cultural authenticity.

Overall, 'Pekamedalu' is a good film, delivering a powerful message of women's empowerment and freedom. The ending is worth the watch as it will leave the audience with a sense of satisfaction as they exit the theatres.