By Filmmakers are increasingly relying on social media for publicity. One such successful promotion occurred recently for Pekamedalu.
Pekamedalu Story:
Laxman (Vinoth Kishan), a real estate agent, is married to Varalaxmi (Anoosha Krishna) and has a child. He is a daydreamer and gambles heavily, hoping to get rich. His wife, on the other hand, dreams of opening her own business and works hard to make ends meet as the family’s breadwinner.
One day, Laxman meets an NRI woman (Rethika Srinivas). Trying to impress her, he pretends to be an entrepreneur, which leads to significant changes in his life.
Vinoth Kishan, known for his antagonist roles in films like “Gangs of Godavari,” shines as the protagonist. However, the standout performer is Anoosha Krishna. She convincingly plays a lower-middle-class wife aspiring to improve her life responsibly through hard work. As the story progresses, her character gains more prominence, and she excels in the role. Rethika Srinivas is also well-cast as the NRI woman.
The songs are routine, but the background score is adequate. Due to the limited budget, the production values are basic, and other technical aspects are modest.
“Pekamedalu” refers to building castles with a deck of cards, symbolizing the fragility and eventual collapse of such dreams. The narrative delivers a moral lesson about the perils of gambling and irresponsible behavior, illustrating that attempts to improve one’s life through gambling lead to downfall.
Director Neelagiri Mamilla presents the story straightforwardly. The initial portion focuses on establishing the story’s backdrop, introducing the main characters, and exploring their behavior, aspirations, and challenges. As a result, the first half appears tedious and repetitive. The sequences involving the protagonists have a recurring pattern, and the plot lacks freshness. The screenplay follows a predictable style, becoming moderately captivating only in the last 30 minutes.
The concluding moments, where the heroine asserts her dominance and growth, are presented effectively. The message of female empowerment is well conveyed in this part.
However, this story might be better suited for a short film. For a feature-length movie, it is too predictable. Despite the good intentions and strong performances, it lacks the entertainment or engagement value needed for a satisfying watch.
Overall, “Pekamedalu” is a sincere attempt with a realistic approach and a good message, but it lacks the substance and presentation to create a truly satisfying viewing experience.
