Sumanth, known for choosing meaningful and heartfelt films, is back with Anaganaga, an original movie released on ETV Win. Let’s dive into what this film offers and how it stands out.
Story Overview: A Teacher’s Battle with the System
The story centers on Vyas (Sumanth), a passionate school teacher who believes in teaching through understanding concepts rather than rote memorization. His wife Bhagi (Kajal Chowdary), who is also the school principal, disagrees and prefers a traditional approach.
Trouble begins when Vyas’s son Ram and some other students fail their exams. The school management decides to fire Vyas, unhappy with his teaching methods. What will Vyas do next? How will he support his son and other students to become toppers? You can watch Anaganaga on ETV Win to find out.
What Works: Strong Performances and Relevant Themes
Anaganaga shines in its critique of the modern education system, especially how many schools focus more on grades and ranks than actual learning. Director Sunny Sanjay weaves this important issue into the personal conflicts between father and son, and husband and wife, making the story emotionally compelling.
The father-son relationship stands out as the film’s heart. Scenes showing Ram caught between his father’s ideals and mother’s strict rules feel genuine and relatable. The husband-wife disagreements are also portrayed with authenticity. Actor Srinivasa Avasarala plays a strict teacher convincingly.
But the highlight is Sumanth himself. His emotional performance anchors the film from start to finish. He effortlessly portrays the pain and struggles of a father worried about his son’s future. After his acclaimed work in Malli Raava, Sumanth proves once again that he is a talented actor who deserves more attention.
Kajal Chowdary impresses as the no-nonsense principal, with powerful scenes that show the clash between her and Sumanth’s characters. The young actor Viharsh also deserves praise for his natural portrayal of a struggling student.
The film’s use of real-life examples and the focus on concept-based learning add depth, while the production design supports these themes beautifully.
What Could Be Better: Familiar Story and Predictable Plot
Though Anaganaga deals with a worthy subject, the story feels familiar. The theme of a dedicated teacher fighting a rigid education system has been seen before in many films.
The pacing is uneven; the film takes a while to build up to the main conflict. Also, the plot is quite predictable, lacking surprising twists that could have made it more engaging.
Another weak point is how Vyas’s fight against the system is shown. His methods and struggles could have been portrayed with more clarity and detail to make his efforts more convincing.
Technical Highlights: Music, Cinematography, and Direction
Chandu Ravi’s music complements the film well, with soothing songs that blend into the story naturally. The background score stands out by enhancing emotional scenes.
Cinematographer Pavan Kumar captures the school environment and middle-class life with finesse. The visuals, along with excellent production design, give the film a fresh and appealing look.
Director Sunny Sanjay does a good job focusing on the emotional aspects of the story and getting strong performances from the cast. However, the scenes about challenging the education system could have been written with more impact.
The film could be trimmed by about ten minutes as some early school scenes feel a bit stretched.
A Worthwhile Social Drama with Heart
Anaganaga is a heartfelt social drama that discusses relevant issues in education while delivering strong emotions. Though it follows a familiar storyline and is somewhat predictable, Sumanth’s powerful acting and the emotional father-son relationship make it worth watching.
