Gandhi Tatha Chettu Movie Review: Sukumar's Daughter Sukriti Bandreddi Shines, Movie Fails

Gandhi Tatha Chettu” has captured the attention of cinephiles and media alike for two compelling reasons: the debut of Sukriti Veni, daughter of celebrated director Sukumar, and the involvement of star producers Naveen and Ravi Shankar from Mythri Movie Makers. Adding to the intrigue, the film has already garnered accolades at multiple international film festivals. But does the film live up to its hype? Let’s dive in.

The Story

Set in the year 2000 in a quaint Telangana village, the film follows Ramachandrayya (Ananda Chakrapani), a wise and educated farmer who owns vast farmland. Ramachandrayya spends much of his time under a tree he planted in 1948 to honor Mahatma Gandhi’s death.

His granddaughter, Gandhi (Sukriti Veni), grows up under his guidance, absorbing Gandhian principles and ideals.

Conflict brews when Sateesh (Rag Mayur), a businessman from the city, arrives with plans to purchase the village lands to construct a factory, a move that would necessitate cutting down Ramachandrayya’s cherished tree. Deeply attached to the tree and its significance, the elderly farmer opposes the idea.

Before his passing, Ramachandrayya makes Gandhi promise to protect the tree at any cost. The rest of the story revolves around young Gandhi’s struggle to fulfill her grandfather’s dying wish against all odds.

Performances

Sukriti Veni delivers a heartfelt and authentic performance in her debut role, displaying a remarkable commitment by even tonsuring her head for the part. Her sincerity shines throughout.

Ananda Chakrapani impresses as the loving, principled grandfather, bringing depth and subtlety to his role. Bhanu Prakash and Nehal Anand deliver competent performances in supporting roles.

However, Rag Mayur’s portrayal of the antagonist, while adequate, suffers from a lack of depth in character development, which weakens his overall impact.

Technical Highlights

Vishwa Devabattula and Srijitha Chervupally’s cinematography beautifully captures the rustic charm of the village, offering clean and picturesque visuals. Hari Shanker’s editing ensures the film maintains a brisk pace, wrapping up in 1 hour and 54 minutes.

The music by Ree is average, though two songs, “Dhakad” and “Uttutti Matala Mayalona Padi,” stand out, particularly in the first half.

Strengths

Sukriti Veni’s compelling debut performance

A promising first half

Drawbacks

Padmavathi Malladi Direction

A weak and illogical second half

A poorly executed climax

Contrived and unrealistic plot developments

Analysis

The film ambitiously centers its narrative around the trio of Gandhi, Tatha, and the Chettu (tree). While the premise starts strong, establishing the conflict effectively, the second half struggles to maintain momentum or coherence.

One subplot, where young Gandhi discovers a way to make jaggery from sugarcane and rallies the village to repurchase the land by selling it, feels implausible and far-fetched. Another jarring moment involves the tree “bleeding,” a concept introduced without any logical explanation, further undermining the story’s credibility.

Although positioned as a children’s film, the writing lacks finesse and often feels amateurish. Efforts to draw parallels between the young protagonist and Gandhi—such as making her wear glasses and sport a tonsured head—come across as forced and superficial.

Art films often rely on strong emotional depth and logical storytelling to compensate for their limited commercial appeal. Unfortunately, “Gandhi Tatha Chettu” falters on both fronts. Key questions, such as why someone would resell land they’ve already purchased, remain unanswered, leaving viewers frustrated.

Despite its narrative shortcomings, Sukriti Veni’s standout performance serves as the film’s saving grace. Her portrayal of young Gandhi showcases immense potential and marks an impressive debut.

It’s perplexing how the film secured multiple awards at international festivals, given its glaring flaws. A more meticulously crafted narrative—perhaps focusing on a scientifically sound or emotionally resonant approach to the central conflict—could have elevated the film significantly.

Verdict

“Gandhi Tatha Chettu” begins with promise but ultimately stumbles due to a weak second half and lack of narrative depth. However, Sukriti Veni’s impressive debut makes it worth a watch for those curious about her budding career.

Bottom Line: Strong Start, Weak Finish