Rangasthalam (2018)

Oh, I am such a Chitti Babu, and yet, paradoxically almost, I most desperately need a Chitti Babu in my life to come and try to literally water my crops and be entertaining at the same time. I NEED CHITTI BABU AS A FRIEND GODDAMNIT.

Rangasthalam is a must-watch for anyone interested in Indian politics, and how the personal is truly political in a society so steeped in casteism. As my friend pointed out, the movie is a perfect example of the "show, don't tell" formula, and nowhere is this better proven than in its treatment of caste, which exists not as an abstract, academic philosophy, but as the foundation of people's lived experiences. No action is without its significance, and that's why I feel this is a movie that can only get better with multiple rewatches.

This is also one of the rare instances when I do not despise a film for being nearly 3 hours long. It was very well paced- a reviewer (an actual one) compared it to a novel, and that comparison is actually pretty accurate. I love the way the story progresses, and all the tools that are employed to elevate the entire experience, the most important being the sound (fun fact- Rangasthalam won the National Award for Best Audiography, and in my humble opinion, it tRULY deserved it). I don't think I have ever paid this much attention to what I was hearing in the movie- complete game changer. I think it might even change the way I experience a movie from here on out. 

My only complaint? They did not have to go so hard with the funeral song (#nospoilers). It made me super distressed, and kind of triggered me? Like, not really triggered, it's just that I can't handle the elder sibling die in a movie, especially when there are three kids. I can handle pretty much anything else, but not that. Oh my god, Chitti Babu was the middle child!!!!!!! No wonder I was constantly dying at the relatability. (Dying is probably not the best word to use here, but oh well. Humour is my only solace #justmiddlechildthings). I feel prouder of him knowing that he was the middle child, and also now I really want to hug him and also be as strong and amazing and badass as him. I mean, nothing could have ended casteism the way the glass crushing scene did.

Also, Jagapathi Babu made me realise for the first time why the salt-n-pepper phenomenon exists. Half the time, I wanted to kill him (he plays the main villain) and the other half, I was internally screaming "DADDY". Yep. This might as well happen in the year of our lord 2020.

In conclusion, the Naganna song made me hope again. Not for anything in particular, just made me a bit more hopeful (must cling to that feeling). Also, Samantha's saree and aviator look is the only saree and aviator look I'll accept. That's it, I guess. Oh, and Rangamma ROCKS #feminism. 

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