HYDERABAD: Director N Shankar emerged a prominent contributor to the cause of Telangana through his film ‘Jai Bolo Telangana’ which was set in the backdrop of separatist stir.
Shankar needs a pat for keeping the audience glued to their seats for nearly three hours even while narrating one of the oldest agitations in the country.
The movie managed to connect to audience and send the message across strongly which was evident from the display of emotions inside the theatre.
The movie begins with a Telangana revolutionary, Bandagi Gopanna, (Jagapathi Babu) championing the cause of Telangana and fighting for betterment of people in the region.
Gopanna belongs to a family of revolutionaries, who like him, have fought for the region and the people before attaining martyrdom.
Gopanna too meets the same fate during a protest.
The story then shifts to Gopanna’s son Varshit and his widowed mother Jayamma (Smriti Irani). Varshit, unlike his father, is averse to agitations or movements as he feels that sacrifices in such movements always go waste.
Soon Varshit falls in love with Sahaja, hailing from Vijayawada in Andhra region. Though Sahaja is adamant to get married to Varshit, her brother opposes the proposal as Varshit hails from Telangana. He wants her to marry Chanti, a political scion from Vijayawada.
Meanwhile, with Telangana agitation gaining momentum, Varshit realises the importance of Telangana movement and joins it.
His friend Chary’s suicide for the cause inspires him to play an active role in the stir. This episode was portrayed based on self-immolation of Srikanth Chary, a TRS activist, in Hyderabad.
The remaining story reveals how Jayamma, Varshit and Sahaja get united for the cause of Telangana.
Though focused on showcasing hardships and troubles plaguing the region, the director tried to retain commercial element through the love tale between Varshit and Sahaja.
True to his words, Shankar tried to project Telangana movement as the hero.
Another speciality of the movie is presence of notable characters associated with Telangana agitation like the TRS chief, TJAC leader Prof M Kodandram, TRS ideologue Jayashankar and others.
Gadar’s inspiring song ‘Podusthunna Podhumeedha’ needs a special mention which keeps tempo of the movie going. Music by Chakri is commendable.
There may be some grey areas with regard to few aspects of the movie but that does not stop one from coming out of the movie with the slogan ‘Jai Bolo Telangana’.