Baapu (A Fathers Story) Review

In the cult comedy classic Hera Pheri, Paresh Rawal's character has taken loans from almost everybody from the village, is drowning in debt, and has turned into a drunkard. Suniel Shetty, Akshay Kumar and Om Puri's characters are in a similar predicament - buried neck-deep in financial woes. Yet, the absurdity of their struggles makes us laugh at their plight. The latest Telugu comedy Baapu follows a similar premise but with a darker twist. Here, one family member must die so that the others can survive. And in the process, the film manages to make us laugh our hearts out. But the comedy aside, the movie is meaningful in many other ways, too.

Mallana (Brahmaji) is a poor farmer drowning in debt, constantly harassed by lenders. His family consists of his wife Saroja (Aamani), their son (Mani Aegurla), their daughter (Dhanya Balakrishna), and his father Rajayya (Sudhakar Reddy Kethiri). His daughter dreams of moving to the city for competitive exam coaching, while his son has his own set of demands. Mallana's last hope is his cotton crop, but when that, too, is ruined, he attempts suicide - only to be saved at the last moment.

It is then that he learns a shocking truth: if a family member dies by suicide, they would receive a substantial payout from a farmer insurance scheme. He shares this grim realization with his father, who, instead of letting Mallana take his own life, insists that he himself will die for the sake of the family.

The family sells some jewelry, gathers money, and begins treating the old man with care. However, they fail to account for one crucial detail - he has memory problems. He forgets his promise to end his life, and as their financial troubles worsen, Mallana and Saroja decide to take matters into their own hands (to kill the old man). When their children discover the plan, they, too, become unwitting accomplices in the crime. But just as they prepare to go through with it, an unexpected twist shakes everything - the entire village learns of their scheme.

Right from the start, Baapu feels distinctly different from most films of our time. The treatment of the credit lines, the camera work, the costumes and the setting - all are stripped down to the bare essentials, purely functional. No flashy camera tricks, no over-the-top graphics - just raw, unembellished storytelling. And it quickly becomes clear that the filmmakers have a singular focus: writing, screenplay and acting.

Every sequence in the movie feels believable, relatable and organic. Take, for example, Mallana's suicide attempt and the chain of events leading up to it. Why did he attempt suicide? Because selling his cotton harvest was his last hope for money, and it was ruined. Why was it ruined? Because his son, who was supposed to guard the crop, got sidetracked at a local drinking joint, passed out overnight, and in the meantime, a downpour drenched the entire cotton load, rendering it worthless. Why was his tractor, loaded with cotton, halted on the way to the godown? Because a political strike had blocked the route, leaving him and many others stranded.

The repeated attempts to kill the old man - and their inevitable failures - feel both natural and hilariously ironic. He enjoys his evening drink, but on the fateful night when his family mixes pesticide into his Officer's Choice (don't be misled by the name - it's actually the poor man's choice in the Telugu-speaking States, and I know this for a fact), he unexpectedly refuses, saying he's not in the mood. His grandson's tractor breaks down just seconds before he can run him over. A snake bites him, but it turns out to be non-venomous. And so it goes, each failed attempt adding to the film's dark humour.

The film cleverly lays out these events with a sharp cause-and-effect logic, making every moment feel not only plausible but also darkly humorous.

Another standout aspect is the meticulous attention to detail. From the kind of liquor impoverished Telugu people drink to the side snacks they pair it with, from their conversations over drinks to their mannerisms, everything, including the Officer's Choice, is captured with remarkable authenticity. This same precision extends to every prop, every setting and every situation, making Baapu a film that feels both real and refreshingly different.

The setting of the movie and certain sequences evoke a sense of deja vu, reminiscent of Peepli Live. The conversation between Mallana and Rajayya - where they discuss who should commit suicide, the father or the son - bears a striking resemblance to the awkward yet compelling exchanges between Natha and Budhia in Peepli Live.

The movie smartly explores the grey shades of human nature - greed, desire, and the transactional dynamics in relationships. Whether between father and son, boyfriend and girlfriend, or even husband and wife, every bond is portrayed with raw honesty. It compellingly suggests that, in moments of absolute helplessness, survival takes precedence over everything - even life itself.

The only downside to the movie are the two subplots involving Mallana's children's love stories. While they have some humorous moments, they don't meaningfully contribute to the central plot.

Brahmaji finally gets his due. After a long time, he takes on a lead role - and delivers brilliantly. His character is helplessly caught between his son and father, a man weighed down by circumstances. He doesn't speak much, but his eyes convey everything, and at times, even his awkward silences speak volumes.

With this film, Aamani breaks free from the melodramatic roles she has been typecast in. She plays a character who is both loving and greedy, caring yet ruthless enough to consider sacrificing a family member for the greater good of the others, and she looks very real.

Sudhakar Reddy Kethiri, as the forgetful yet jovial old man, is simply outstanding - his performance has to be seen to be believed. He shines in every frame, and his quirky interactions with the younger generation make him all the more endearing.

As mentioned earlier, the movie's brilliance lies in its lack of technical extravagance. A functional camera and a modest background score are all it needs to carry the story.

Baapu is raw, dark, entertaining, and thought-provoking. Go watch it by all means.