Fidaa: Of love and conflict

Some love stories leave a lasting impression on us; Fidaa is one such fascinating tale that showcases the conflict in love. It's all about a spirited young girl Bhanumathi, who crosses paths with Varun. The film, directed by Sekhar Kammula has moments that go straight into the heart. One such instance comes when Sai Pallavi walks back and hugs Varun Tej, who is consumed by love and struggling to win her heart. It's a scene packed with heart-warming emotion and is performed truthfully by the actors. Fidaa has a balanced narrative that's filled with striking moments and a consistent tone. You will go ‘Fidaa’ over these characters. Varun (Varun Tej) and Bhanumathi (Sai Pallavi) first meet in a railway station under tricky circumstances and subsequently love blossoms between them. An unpredictable and impulsive girl, Bhanumathi always wonders why daughters have to go away from their maternal families post marriage.

The film oscillates between the intense emotions of the love-hate-love routine. Sekhar Kammula's realistic presentation of characters, their conversations, and the picturesque Bhanswada village all add strength to this love story.

Cast: Varun Tej, Sai Pallavi, Raja, Satyam Rajesh
Direction: Sekhar Kammula

The scintillating performances of Sai Pallavi and Varun Tej keep us hooked to the story, even at times when one may feel the script is going around in circles. Varun displays fantastic maturity with the right amount of restraint in the most complex scenes, thus proving that he is an actor with an abundance of talent. Sai Pallavi is a powerhouse and the perfect choice for Bhanumathi's role. She takes the centre stage and acts with natural ease. Her Telangana dialect is perfect and she effortlessly carries off her witty dialogues.

On the flip side, the film lacks a strong supporting cast as the story primarily revolves around the two principal characters - Varun and Bhanumathi. Had Kammula explored the camaraderie of Varun with his brother a bit, it would have added more emotional weight to the tale. Also, Varun’s conversation with his sister-in-law looks contrived. Satyam Rajesh is entertaining in a brief role and master Aryan does well.

Shakti Kanth’s music and Jeevan Babu’s background score elevate the mood of the film. The cheeky wedding song and the duet, especially, are a delight to watch. Vijay Kumar’s cinematography complements the narrative smoothly.

Director Sekhar Kammula, who gave an impressive account of himself with a slew of blockbusters like Anand, Happy Days and Godavari, has allowed all his skills to get into the groove. He narrates a simple story superlatively and once again proves that he is a master of storytelling.

Despite its conventional arc, Fidaa rides on the crackling chemistry of the lead actors and has strong emotion and humour backing it. The film is a perfect weekend treat. Go 'Fidaa' over it