Hyderabad : An award-winning veteran director, Mr. B. Narasinga Rao, and other experts have described the Venu Yeldandi’s ‘Balagam’ movie as a landmark film for Telangana. Addressing a webinar, organised by the Public Relations Society of India’s Hyderabad Chapter as part of National PR Day celebrations last night, Mr. Rao, who earned a name for making sensational movies like ‘Dasi’ and ‘Rangulakala’, said: “Venu came up with a movie with a bang by portraying the real life of Telangana. He captured every element of the rural setting meticulously. Telangana society needs more films like Balagam.”
Mr. Rao appreciated the great work of both Venus, Acharya Venue (Cinematographer) and Venue Yeldandi (Director) for their fabulous work. Mr. Rao said that the Director seized all elements related to the Telangana nativity including dialect, costumes and locations with perfection and aplomb. While explaining the evolution of the Telangana films in detail, he wished the talented Director explained the cinematic elements to the public.
Noted academician and Director (Academic) at Dr BR Ambedkar Open University, Prof. Ghanta Chakrapani, who chaired the session, said that Balagam succeeded in presenting the soul of Telangana as it is. He said the contribution of the lyric writers and singers in the movie is immense. Describing Mr. Rao as the Father of Telugu Cinema, Prof. Chakrapani said that his critical observation and academic explanation on Balagam would be a guiding force for directors and filmmakers. The speakers complimented the PRSI Hyderabad Chapter for organising a webinar on a human relations-centric movie as part of National PR Day celebrations.
Dr K.Srinivas, Editor, Andhra Jyothi, said people could connect with Balagam pretty naturally since it could established an emotional agreement with the theme and art work. “At a time when human relations are under severe stress, the film captured the essence of its every element very well. It made viewers to think about the need of healthy relations that they are missing.” He appreciated the Director for having standardized various realistic issues and portrayed the theme meticulously with a brilliant screenplay.
Dr Bhiksham Gujja, internationally acclaimed scientist and expert on Agriculture and Water Management, who participated the webinar from Switzerland, said that Balagam made everyone to see him or her in the characters. “The Director depicted things we all know very well. He liberated people from stereotypic hang ups and exhibition of intellectualism in film making by dealing with a very common themes of rural lives.” He appreciated the climax folk song that moved everybody.
Mrs. Kavita Puli, women’s activist, observed that Balagam stands as a testimony for the transformation of the Telangana movie after the formation of a separate State. “Telangana language and people were shown in poor light in films before the formation of the State but Balagam got tremendous repute to the Telangana language and culture across the globe. It captured the very essence of the Telangana Bahujans life while reflecting the role of women in the society.
Mr. M.Jayaraj, Communications Expert for the United Nations industrial development organisation (UNIDO) in Vienna, said that Balagam touched the heart of the real Telangana even though it has some melodrama.
Dr Ramu Suravajjula, Chairman of the PRSI Hyderabad Chapter, the brain behind the webinar, said that Balagam could successfully surpassed many stereotypes that are deep-rooted in the Telugu film industry. “The PRSI conducted this webinar on a relations-centric movie because of the fact that human relations are in grave crisis due of various reasons and harmony in our families is taking a beating due to misunderstanding between individuals for silly reasons or insignificant issues.”
Apart from the PRSI National Secretary General Mr. Y. Babji, the Hyderabad Chapter Secretary Mr. K. Yadagiri, and noted writer K Vimala, a good number of film personalities, film critics, academics, social activists, and the members of the PRSI took part in the 2.5-hour long webinar. Dr Jurru Chennai, former Chairman of the PRSI Hyderabad Chapter and the Secretary of the Telangana Saraswatha Parisad, proposed a vote of thanks.
