July 8, 2006

I must confess that when I rented and watched "Aanand"- Shekhar Kammula's first film I was disappointed. It seemed there was more thype than substance. Was it because I watched the "uncut" version on the DVD or because I was watching it with an unrealistic expecations for a well-received film? I have no clue. But just before "Godavari" was released I rented the movie again. This time I watched with an open mind. It was amazing. I never knew a film is not just about "what" it is but also about "how" you watch it. What was amazing this time around was I tried to just experience the senses in the story. The movie leaves your senses a bit enhanced. You feel the wetness - that of the rain, the tears, and the coffee. You sense the joy, the sadness, the jealousy, the friendship and the love. You come out drenched from the movie.

After that I expected the same from "Godavari." We watched the movie with a friend and her family. She was visiting us at Sunnyvale, CA from New Hampshire. She wanted to watch the movie before going sight-seeing. We did. And both of us thought Shekhar Kammula understands women like no other director. Just Perfect. "Godavari" would be the first movie which would come to mind if ever there is a discussion about a movie about women and their feelings. Beautiful! Kamalini has done justice to the dream role. Women will be women, whether Telugu or not. Sumanth stands out too.

Another winner in the movie is the landscape. Mind-blowing!

There is only one glitch that the movie could have done well without. The animated dogs.

Good work, Shekhar! We women are proud of you- for making your heroine so real.

Suman Mudamula
Sunnyvale, CA