Pottel Review

In a village named Gurramgattu in the Andhra Pradesh of the 1970s, a manipulative village leader Patel (Ajay) exploits the villagers' superstitions for his gain. Claiming to be possessed by the village deity Balamma, he convinces the villagers that sending their children to school would anger the goddess, keeping the community uneducated and submissive.

Gangadhari (Yuva Chandraa), a humble shepherd and devoted father, sees through the Patel's deception. He deeply values education and wants a brighter future for his daughter Saraswathi (child actor Tanasvi). Supported by his wife Bujjamma (Ananya Nagalla), he is determined to expose Patel's deceit.

Gangadhari's resolve is tested when Balamma Pottelu, a goat believed to carry divine blessings and set to be sacrificed at the upcoming Jathara, and whose responsibility was entrusted to Gangadhari, disappears from the village. Patel, claiming to be possessed by Balamma, tells the villagers that Gangadhari's daughter Saraswathi will need to be sacrificed at the Jathara if the goat isn't found, something the uneducated and highly superstitious villagers who are gripped by fear fully believe.

With his daughter's life hanging in the balance, Gangadhari must outsmart the powerful Patel, reveal the truth about the latter's lies, and fight to free the village of the ignorance gripping it.

Pottelu hit the screens with a lot of hype, thanks in part to endorsement from Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The movie promised a gripping tale - or at least that's what the cast of the movie touted across a dozen interviews with mainstream media - of rural struggles against entrenched superstitions, casteism and power struggles in 1980s Andhra Pradesh. The film does shine in a few areas, especially in production design and visuals, capturing the essence of a bygone era with impressive accuracy. Scenes showcasing the rustic charm of 1980s Telugu lands are executed well, thanks to brilliant camerawork and Monish's choice of locations.

However, the good news pretty much ends there. Despite its realistic setting, the movie suffers from pacing issues. With a bloated runtime of 160 minutes, it drags in many parts, with scenes that feel redundant or drawn out. While it attempts to tackle social themes, the execution lacks the depth needed to keep you fully engaged. The director spends far too much time setting up the story's world and characters. The pace slows especially after the first half-hour, and the screenplay stumbles in delivering on what should have been a gritty tale of rebellion with a lot of potential. The tension between Ganga and Patel falls flat, failing to deliver the intensity it promises.

Many scenes also mirror those of popular Tamil films focused on caste equations and the struggles, but lack their narrative depth and intensity. For a 1980s story, there's blatant lack of intervention from figures like the police or even local activists, who would've been involved in a real-life situation of feudal oppression. The omission is glaring.

Also, the intent to deliver a social message - education for all and equal rights - is clear, but again, the shoddy execution and the sluggish narration dilute the emotions.

Ajay steals the show with his performance, especially in scenes where he portrays the possessed, deity-driven Patel with fierce expressions. Ananya also holds her ground, bringing intensity to her interactions with Ajay. However, Srikanth Iyengar doesn't deliver much as the village schoolteacher. The father-daughter bond provides some heartwarming moments, though they're unfortunately buried under a series of predictable plot points.

Technically, Pottel is expensive, and it shows. It fares well with a strong background score by Sekhar Chandra that lifts the movie's mood. Some songs are well-placed, seamlessly blending into the narrative. Monish's cinematography is a visual treat, though the editing is lazy, and, as mentioned earlier, the sluggish screenplay detracts audiences from the film's impact.

Overall, Pottel is an earnest attempt with a commendable social message and powerful performances, particularly by Ajay. However, its slow pace and formulaic scenes make it a boring fair. Those who enjoy rustic dramas with a social undercurrent might appreciate it, but for most, the movie is just a, well, pottel.