Chanchala needed a performance that depicts strength while still leaving space for vulnerability, and Anushka gave it her best. Not to forget the formidable titular character.
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A character that comes and goes, but stays with you throughout the film. The attitude. The boldness. The empathy. Don’t know how Nitya pulled it off with such ease considering the utter lack of reference points. 🙏🏽
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It was a tough character to break into. A deaf man who hates using his disability as a crutch. A silly man who is forced to act on behalf of his brother. Ram Charan lent this character honesty and heart it needed.
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To play a women much older than her age is a common thing in TFI, but to do so when you are in your prime is gutsy. She lives her part and looks curtly at the camera even when it tries to objectify her.
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It’s never easy to play an addict. To get the weakness and helplessness right. More so when she has to falter a certain way as it’s based on a legend. Keerthi made Savitri and her plight accessible.
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I’m partial to this man, but it’s rather apparent the humanity he brought to the character. Maybe that’s the problem some had. Ganesan wasn’t a great man and Dulqer’s innate charm made it hard to see that. But that’s probably on the script.
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Most of what made this film fun is this middle aged man who loves cinema more than most of us. The way he tries to observe a film set like a child and the way he breaks when his scenes get cut. Great performance.
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A great actor stuck in a not-so-great film will still give his best and so did he. He was amazing as the father in conflict. The scenes where he is supposed to be ashamed by his daughter were quite powerfully enacted.
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One of the best female performances of this year, imo. The casual air she brings to the character while still making sure that we can see the weight she is silently crushing under. All this from a debutante. 😘
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Always a great actor, but she finally got an opportunity to showcase her intensity and her ability to internalize in a Telugu film and boy does she deliver. That Ida-esque scene still haunts me.
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Again. I’m partial toward this man, but such a great little cameo. He plays this definitely-not-good-but-is-he-bad cop superbly. Also, this character has all the potential to have a film of his own.
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I know some had more to do than others, but they all shined beautifully. Especially Subba Rao, Praveena, and Kishore.
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For me, he is the breakthrough actor of the year. To have portrayed two different men in two movies that released on the same day, whose appearances are similar and still not feel repetitive is a big deal for a young talent.
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Unlike the male protagonist, Chandini had to be emotionally available throughout the film coz we understand the graph of the film through her. She was impressive as an introverted, enigmatic woman in love and, eventually, in pain.
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Even though her limitations are well apparent, her honesty/dedication comes through in everything she does. Her performance was particularly impressive when she comes face to face with Bhumika for the first time.
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How can you not admire a man who plays the same guy every single time, but still finds a way to do it differently? A perfect actor for the script-lethargy of our industry.
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