Okkadu (2003)

I didn't know it was technically possible to be this emotional about a story that I was viewing for the third time (I had previously seen a Hindi dubbed version years ago, as well as the Hindi remake when it came out). I don't know if it's the Telugu feels (it is), but I still haven't stopped being moved by this movie, and the impact that it had on me. It's probably because the movie is so well-shot that you feel directly in the middle of things, alert and invested in everything's happening on screen. Which reminds me- Okkadu is not just a great thriller, it's also brilliant in its comedy and wholesomeness, and you can't help but root for the lead characters with your whole heart. Poetic cinema, indeed.

I honestly feel like I'm just blabbering- these words pale in comparison to the epic highs and lows that this movie makes you experience. I was majorly shipping Ajay (Mahesh Babu, in what is possibly his best role) and Swapna (Bhumika Chawla, underrated queen) and my favourite part about that love story was how equal it was. Even though Ajay literally saves Swapna, he never acts like her saviour. Neither does Swapna act unrealistically submissive around him- her feelings of guilt that he's going through so much for her sake are completely natural and justified, given the extraordinary circumstances they find themselves in. They were such a cute couple, and I legit burst into tears at the airport scene (I have said this before, and I'll say it again, movies with excellent airport/railway station scenes are SUPERIOR and there can be no argument about that), and also in the scene before that, when Swapna gifts him something so meaningful (don't worry, this is a spoiler-free zone). It's such a special love story, one that's going to stay with me for years to come (I suddenly want to rewatch it, and die at those shipping moments all over again ugh).

It would be ethically and morally wrong of me to not acknowledge Swapna's TEDTalk on women and their sexuality, which made me wish I knew how to whistle. This is the badassery we need to inculcate in cinema and in real life. Plus, the fact that she delivers her speech directly to Obul Reddy (Prakash Raj, non-fother villain this time), who is a clinically insane faction leader- it gave #feminism a new lease on life, and no, you cannot convince me otherwise. Speaking of factionalism, that one line spoken by Ajay was one of the most unforgettable bits of the movie for me. As for Prakash Raj, he did full justice to the prototype of 99% of Indian men in existence (who's gonna say #NotAllMen now huh) and for that, I salute him. Even though I did get quite a few war flashbacks, but it's okay really. Any honest depiction of Indian men is bound to do that.

In conclusion, when given a choice, always opt for rain during the climax. That's the best cherry on top of an unforgettable movie-cake. Yes that's a thing. Yes I just made it up. Bye <3.

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