Johar, the new Telugu flick released on OTT, is a political satire elaborating on the misuse of public money by the powers that be and the rampant corruption involved in the entire system. Director Teja Marni boldly depicts how the numerous welfare schemes doled out by the politicians take a toll on the taxpayers’ money and in turn on the development of the state.
The film deals with a contemporary topic that keeps ticking in the minds of a majority of responsible citizens. The director weaves four stories together into an engaging plot, just as Krish Jagarlamudi did in Vedam.
Drawing inspiration from the colossal wastage of public money on the Statue of Unity installed on the banks of River Narmada, Teja sets out with a lofty goal, but just about manages to reach the goal post failing to score the goal.
The three sub-plots include the fate of a woman escaping from a brothel in Varanasi, on the banks of the sacred river Ganga, the travails of a freedom fighter in securing funds for his Ashram which is in a dilapidated condition and an orphan who aspires to become an athlete.
The main plot revolves around the principal character (played well by Chaitanya Krishna) who becomes a Chief Minister following the sudden demise of his father Achuta Ramayya. As a tribute to his father, the CM decides to erect a huge statue in the memory of his father, even if it means mortgaging the interests of the State. Sensing shortage of funds might hinder his objective; the CM diverts some of the funds allotted in budget towards building the statue. The liberty that leaders take with the public money to fulfill their desires and goals is demonstrated well.
The director tries to merge all the sub-plots into the main theme by showing how the CM’s agenda of statue erection would ruin the lives of the lead characters. Going a step ahead, the story tries to depict how the general public and their aspirations get metaphorically trampled under the gigantic feet of the statue.
Each subplot deals with a serious issue which is handled deftly by the debutant director who fails to merge them all seamlessly into the main plot as the film concludes. Dialogues are good and the depiction of how the politicians consider voters as scapegoats is laudable.
On the whole, it is a bold attempt that just about reaches the expectation in bits and pieces. The director and the producers must be congratulated for taking up this sensitive topic.
Where to see: Aha
Banner: Dharmsurya Pictures
Star cast: Ankit Koyya, Esther Anil, Subhalekha Sudhakar, Caitanya Krishna, Eswari Rao, Naina Ganguly
Script: Ram Krishnavamsi
Music: Priyadarshan Balasubramanyan
Photography: Jagadeesh Cheekati
Producers: Sandeep Marni, Ratnajirao Marni
Story, screenplay, direction: Teja Marni
Release date: Aug. 14, 2020
Rating 3/5
