Pekamedalu tells the story of a young man residing in the slums who harbors grand dreams of becoming rich quickly. The film explores the consequences of his ambitious aspirations and how they impact his personal life, driving the narrative forward.
Pekamedalu Story :
Lakshman (Vinoth Kishan), an engineering graduate living in a slum with his wife Varalakshmi (Annosha Krishna) and son, dreams of striking it rich. He works as a real estate agent and indulges in gambling, borrowing money from anyone he can, while Varalakshmi supports the family by working as a maid and trying to start a tiffin centre.
This precarious existence takes a surprising turn when Lakshman encounters a beautiful NRI (Rethika Srinivas), leading to a chain of unexpected events that form the heart of the narrative.
Lead actors deliver strong performances : Vinoth Kishan convincingly portrays a frustrated man burdened by failures, while Annosha Krishna excels as his ambitious yet helpless wife. Rethika Srinivas shines as the NRI character, and supporting actors contribute effectively.
Director captures slum life and social issues : Neelagiri Mamilla skillfully portrays the harsh realities of slum life, highlighting the dangers of gambling and infidelity. The film subtly addresses themes of female empowerment and male chauvinism.
Screenplay lacks depth and engagement : The story follows a predictable pattern with repetitive scenes, leading to a slow and uninteresting narrative. The film’s short runtime fails to mask its lack of emotional depth and twists.
Technical aspects are mixed : Srujana Adusumilli’s editing is disappointing with excessive repetition. Smaran Sai’s music is average, while Harichan K’s cinematography captures the film’s atmosphere well. Dialogues are satisfactory, and production values are standard.
Overall, the film’s strengths lie in the performances and portrayal of social issues. However, the predictable screenplay and slow pace hinder its overall impact.
Final Verdict :
Pekamedalu unfortunately falls into the trap of being a predictable slum story, lacking genuine emotional depth and falling into repetitive elements. While the actors deliver commendable performances, director Neelagiri Mamilla could have benefited from a more thorough script and screenplay development process before moving forward with the project.