Uppu Kapurambu Movie Review: Now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Uppu Kapurambu can be called a rather unconventional political satire that is set in rural Andhra Pradesh in the 90s. Directed by Ani IV Sasi, the film has been scripted by Vasanth Maringanti and comes with a good blend of humour, absurdity, and social commentary. It stars Keerthy Suresh besides Suhas, Babu Mohan, and Talluri Rameswari, and tackles, through wit and whimsy, the subjects of death, caste, and legacy, not that necessarily everyone will be able to view things from the same perspective.
The action begins in a fictional village that has been created called Chitti Jayapuram, where a crisis. At once bizarre, has come up-the cemetery of the village is almost full. Some lucky lottery will decide the final grave slots. Apoorva, daughter of the recently deceased head of the village. Now throws herself into the arena of leadership at kind of a strange time. She tries to navigate through politics and appease the average man while keeping her sanity-an undertaking that spirals into chaos and comedy. Chinna, the innocent caretaker of the graveyard played by Suhas, becomes the voice of reason as the chaos reigns amidst death plots and social stature.
The satire is sharp while the premise is fresh. Early scenes-an over-the-top mourning at a funeral and the graveyard lottery-set up the right note for comedy in this film. Indeed, production design by Sri Nagendra Tangala and in cinematography by Divakar Mani ground the absurdity in realism. While the other worldly Sweekar Agasthi’s tunes add flavour to the story.
However, further on, the humour begins to get repetitive; writing cuts from biting political critique to cartoonish humour and neglects emotional resonance, especially concerning Apoorva’s character arc.
Also Read: Is There Sequel to Uppu Kappurambu? Keerthy Suresh Reveals
Different and risky storyline
Great work by Suhas and Talluri Rameswari
Immersive visuals of the production and setting
Nuanced satire in early portions
Overlong storytelling and uneven pacing
No emotional payoff to Keerthy’s character
Get disoriented by tonal shifts
Uppu Kapurambu is possibly one of the very few satires to date that dares to laugh in the face of death. Such a premise might be interesting to begin with but ends up being defeated by tonal imbalance and protracted plotting. Watch it for its originality and Suhas’ very down-to-earth performance-but don’t expect too much fizz behind the finish.
Rating: 1.75/5
Share
Indian Man Arrested for Choking Passenger Mid-Air on US Flight
Good Wife Review: Can Priyamani Pull Off Intense Courtroom Drama?
