Rating: 2.5/5
Thimmarajupalli TV is a small-budget rural drama that has arrived with decent buzz, mainly for its unique concept and the backing of new talent by Kiran Abbavaram. Set in a 90s village backdrop, the film has been in the news for featuring a large number of debutants and its nostalgic take on the early days of television culture. Read our review to find out if this honest attempt manages to entertain.
Story:
In the village of Thimmarajupalli, Satish (Sai Tej), a carefree youngster, entertains villagers by bringing a TV and VCR during festivals and screening movies. He is in love with Sharada (Veda Jalandhar), the sister of Rajappa (Pradeep Kotthe), who also belongs to the same village. However, things change when Rajappa becomes the first person in the village to buy a television, drawing everyone to his house. A small conflict arises in Rajappa’s family, and soon after, the television gets stolen. Suspicion falls on Satish, and the villagers accuse him of theft. The village head declares that if the TV is not returned within 14 days, Satish will face severe punishment. What happens next is the story of the film?
Performances
Sai Tej, who plays the lead, delivers a very good performance, while Veda Jalandhar is impressive as the female lead. The love story between the lead pair is handled quite well. Pradeep Kotthe, who plays an important role, is a major highlight. He brings good variations to his character and performs effectively.
Swathi Karimireddy, Amma Ramesh, Satyanarayana, and the rest of the cast also do justice to their roles. The way the actors depict the lifestyle of people in the 1990s, especially their excitement towards watching television, is commendable.
Technical Aspects
Director V. Muniraj succeeds in choosing a strong premise but falters in building consistent tension. However, several scenes are engaging. The music is good, and the cinematography stands out as a major highlight. The editing is decent. The producers, Kiran Abbavaram and Teja Velpucharla, deserve appreciation for backing such a unique project with good production values.
Analysis
The story of this film is set in a 1990s backdrop, which turns out to be its biggest strength. The village of Thimmarajupalli and its people are portrayed very naturally, adding authenticity to the narrative. The twist that comes towards the end also works well for the film.
The film may connect well with a certain section of the audience, but since it stays away from regular commercial elements, it might not appeal to everyone. Director V. Muniraj handles some logical points well but leaves a few aspects underdeveloped.
Though some key scenes are well written, certain portions, especially in the middle of the second half, could have been more engaging. The screenplay feels routine at times, following a predictable pattern that reduces the overall impact. A tighter narrative with sharper transitions would have helped maintain better grip.
At several points, the pacing dips, making the film feel slightly stretched. Some scenes linger longer than necessary, affecting the flow. While the core conflict has potential, the execution doesn’t fully capitalize on it, leading to moments where the audience’s interest begins to fade.
A more dynamic screenplay and crisp editing could have elevated these portions significantly. While the film creates curiosity about what happens next, focusing too much on the “who stole the TV” angle makes it lose interest in parts. The pre-climax sequences could have been handled better.
Verdict
Overall, Thimmarajupalli TV doesn’t rely on big stars or commercial elements but is set in a rural 1990s backdrop, built around the excitement of television. With around 60 newcomers, the film stands out as an honest attempt. Director Muniraj presents the story with sincerity, and the team delivers committed performances. Though there was scope for stronger comedy, emotions, and romance, the film still works as a passable watch.
