I must be honest, I was hardly expecting anything of Thimmarajupalli TV, perhaps just another dull country drama on nostalgia. Rather I went away admiring its moderation and clarity of intention. It is not a movie that is keen on romanticizing the 90s. It is a mystery that is played straight but wins your interest.
The assumption is nearly too innocent. An absent TV in a village that uses it as a community asset. How it occurs is what is important. The first half is long, even overly so, establishing characters and relationships which do not necessarily work. However, when the TV van disappears, the movie becomes clearer, and it entangles you in its realm of suspicions with the necessary confidence. It is not perfect, but there is goodwill here that can hardly be overlooked.
The story is set in the village of Thimmarajupalli in 1996 and is founded on a very simple, but interesting concept. There are no televisions in the village, and it only rents one TV on Shivaratri. This is not the case when Rajappa purchases a TV, thereby making it a meeting point every day. On one night it vanishes. It is there that the story is propelled forward by a major question, who has it, what actually occurred and will it be discovered.
The first half is devoted to the process of creation of this world. We are shown the beats of village life, its associations and a broad range of characters. This is groundwork considering the ensemble-driven narrative. Nonetheless, it does not necessarily fall. Love songs of Saiteja and Veda, Pradeep and Swathi are not well developed. Some of the comedy fails too, as it contributes no humor or pathos. The rhythm is constant, but the first part is not gripping with a hook, postponing the flow of the story.
The change occurs with the disappearance of the TV. Since then, the film has a ground. Director V. Muniraju manages the shift to suspense well. The mood becomes more intense and the tension is increased. The word of suspicion is thrown around various characters, which makes the audience involved in the investigation. In other occasions, I was asking a number of people questions, in a bid to reconstruct the truth. This feeling of engagement is an essential part of a mystery, and the movie maintains it rather successfully. The unraveling is deserved by the time it gets to the climax.
It is not only the juxtaposition between the two halves which lingers, but the earnestness of the storytelling. They are not trying to impose any commercial aspects and lose the focus of the main concept. The movie adheres to its story and that decision favors it.
The element of casting is instrumental in that authenticity. The film has a natural, unpolished realism with almost 90 percent of the actors being new. It hardly seems to view performances. Rather, it is as though we are looking at actual individuals in an inhabited environment. Sai Tej, Pradeep, Veda and Swathi act believably in their roles. Amma Ramesh is a unique character, and his presence is grounded, making it emotionally rich. With the new cast, there is no amateurishness.
The narrative is supported by the technical aspects. The background score by Vamsikanth fits especially well in the second half, making the situation even more tense without being obtrusive. The camera work is a faithful depiction of the rural environment, and the costumes and set design are detailed. All these combined form a harmonious and realistic world.
Being a first time writer and director, V. Muniraju deserves to be mentioned. To create such an interesting mystery out of a so simple idea, one needs to have crystal clear vision. Being able to balance numerous characters and still focus on the story tells of a good understanding of the basics of storytelling. Importantly, the second half does not look like the work of the first time director.
The movie does not lack its shortcomings. The first half might have been more pointy, and more powerful moments to create emotional investment. It also has a section towards the end which is a bit overlong, which has an impact on the pacing. All these problems, though, do not greatly detract the overall experience.
It is also credited to producer Kiran Bhavam who stood by supporting a film like this one. The belief in the story is clear as opposed to basing on formula and that faith is reflected on the screen.
Ultimately, Thimmarajupalli TV is a good-faith and fairly entertaining suspense drama. It might have lacked nostalgia and traditional entertainment, but it keeps the eyes glued with its down-to-earth mystery and sincere narration. And with the proper anticipations, there is much to like.
I would rate this movie 3/5.
