Committee Kurrollu Review

Niharika Konidela generated significant buzz with the pretty creative trailer of Committee Kurrollu and various other promotions on the social media. Despite featuring a cast of mostly newcomers, the movie quickly became one of the most anticipated films of 2024. And it seems it lives up to the hype.

Siva (Sandeep Saroj) reminisces to his young daughter about the beauty of his own childhood. In the tranquil village of Purushothapalli, West Godavari, a close-knit group of friends - Siva, Subbu (Thrinadh Varma), William (Eshwar Rachiraju), Surya (Yaswanth Pendyala) and Peddodu (Prasad Behara) - share an unbreakable bond as they grow up together. However, their lives and the village's harmony are shattered when a dispute over caste and educational reservations leads to the sudden death of one of their friends during the village jathara. Now, 12 years later, the story centres on whether they can reconcile, restore the village's culture, and celebrate the jathara once again as they did in the past.

Committee Kurrollu brings a breath of fresh air to Tollywood in many ways. While the story may not be entirely unique, it feels fresh thanks to the incredible attention to detail until the interval. Anyone born between 1970 and 1980 in the rural Godavari region will instantly be transported back to their childhood and youth while watching this movie. The film touches on nostalgic elements such as Shakeela softcore films, gilli-danda, gully cricket, and even 50-paise-per-hour cycle errands. The entire first half of the movie is a tribute to the youthful activities of the '90s, filled with relatable references that never feel overdone - demonstrating smart execution.

Some of the romance sequences in the movie may remind viewers of the Tamil movie 96, and certain fight scenes might evoke memories of the Malayalam Angamaly Diaries, though the plot is distinctly different from those of both those films.

After the interval, the movie maintains its pace but falters about 20 minutes before the end, during the Panchayat election sequence. This part diverges from the main plot and creates a drag. However, you'll likely forgive this flaw, given the strength of what comes before.

One interesting aspect of Committee Kurrollu is its refusal to sanitize itself unlike many other Indian films. For instance, the villagers and their attire are depicted authentically, without any glossy enhancements. Another beautiful aspect of the movie is the casting, which features mostly newcomers. These fresh faces actually add to the film's authenticity. Additionally, the fight scenes and altercations are as real as they get, with no choreographed action.

The movie poignantly narrates how minor misunderstandings and needless differences can drive wedges between friends, causing pain and separation. It gently reminds us of the vital role communication and forgiveness play in preserving those cherished childhood bonds. It's a heart-warming journey down memory lane, reviving the innocence and simplicity of youth.

It's difficult to single out any actor as performing better than the others - while Sandeep's character is the lead, the others also receive equal screen time. Despite being newcomers, most of the cast members deliver surprisingly strong performances, with each one standing out distinctively. Trinadh's character is intense most of the time, while Eashwar's brings a jolly and romantic vibe to the screen. Similarly, other characters are distinct in their personalities.

The use of de-aging technology in the movie is top-notch, with the 12-year-back version of each character superbly rendered using advanced techniques. Anudeep Dev's music - both the background score and songs - forms the soul of the film. The songs Aa Rojulu Malli Raavu and Gorrela are soulful, while Prema Gaaradi is upbeat and lively. The music effectively drives the film forward. Raju Ekkarolu's cinematography beautifully captures the essence of the Godavari region, and both the art direction and cinematography of the jathara scenes are impeccable, transporting you back to the '90s. However, Anwar Ali's editing becomes somewhat unyielding in the latter half of the movie; it drags for some 20 minutes.

If you loved 96 and Angamaly Diaries, you'll definitely enjoy Committee Kurrollu. Although the stories are different, the execution is similar. A nostalgic film requires excellent execution, superb music and accurate references to the popular culture of the period, and this movie excels in all three. It's a good one-time watch and a must-see for those born in the '70s.