Venky Atluri's Vaathi is about Bala, an assistant third grade teacher at a private school, who is redirected to a village government school on a program established by a private education corporation. Seeing the lack of interest the parents and children there have in education due to labor and vices, Bala changes their mind and brings them into school. But shortly after he learns Thirupathi has no interest in their well being and wants them to fail. So the movie becomes about how he overcomes the obstacles and helps the kids in the village get a state rank and make their dreams come true.
The movie's premise is by no means very fresh, it is a premise we have seen multiple times in movies like Super 30. But that's is no big deal as it's a relevant issue and with good taking it can be an interesting watch. It ends up doing a decent job but multiple cliches are present. The acting is what really saves it especially with the emotional scenes, and the emotional scenes are actually well written too. The movie could have been a good one with fresh execution.
After watching so much commercial cinema from India, I'm confused why we always make the antagonist entirely evil. I get the idea of fighting a corporate, done right it is exciting every time. But that's not the case here, Samuthikarani plays Thirupthi an evil to the core corporate with zero redeeming factors. I don't get why he needs to be so evil to the core, why can't he have some relatable shades to him and make him a grounded character. Even Samuthikarini has been typecasted into these kinds of crappy villain roles these days which is unfortunate.
The best part of the film is Dhanush as Bala sir and the students. Each of the child actors have done a fantastic job, especially the one playing Muthu. I really connected with the character despite catching on soon this will the AM Kumar played by Sumanth. Sumanth has a nice cameo. Sai Kumar had a nice role which he definitely played well as usual. Dhanush as Bala sir was too good, he elevated this movie which was good in parts and brought that feel good aspect with his acting and the child actors'.
Another issue with the film was the conclusion. The children came to learn about Bala sir and then we learn he is in Ooty. But it did not make sense that the children who came to learn about him did not learn anything further about him nor even concluded that plot thread. I felt a better conclusion could have been given the present storyline.
GV Prakash gives a good background score and another fantastic aspect of the movie is the cinematography. The village is so authentic and the 90s are portrayed so well. Some hairstyles looked more modern, but apart from that good.
I liked some scenes like the one which teaches the students equality and avoiding caste discrimination. It was a well done scene. I liked how he taught them different subjects and tested them on both. The monologues and how easily the people got convinced or clapped was a little annoying at times, making it feel preachy, but Dhanush makes it watchable. Some emotional scenes were good, but mainly due to acting than overall writing.
Overall, this is a village drama which reinforces the value of education. It works in parts. If you haven't seen movies like Super 30, following similar line, you will enjoy it more.
The movie's premise is by no means very fresh, it is a premise we have seen multiple times in movies like Super 30. But that's is no big deal as it's a relevant issue and with good taking it can be an interesting watch. It ends up doing a decent job but multiple cliches are present. The acting is what really saves it especially with the emotional scenes, and the emotional scenes are actually well written too. The movie could have been a good one with fresh execution.
After watching so much commercial cinema from India, I'm confused why we always make the antagonist entirely evil. I get the idea of fighting a corporate, done right it is exciting every time. But that's not the case here, Samuthikarani plays Thirupthi an evil to the core corporate with zero redeeming factors. I don't get why he needs to be so evil to the core, why can't he have some relatable shades to him and make him a grounded character. Even Samuthikarini has been typecasted into these kinds of crappy villain roles these days which is unfortunate.
The best part of the film is Dhanush as Bala sir and the students. Each of the child actors have done a fantastic job, especially the one playing Muthu. I really connected with the character despite catching on soon this will the AM Kumar played by Sumanth. Sumanth has a nice cameo. Sai Kumar had a nice role which he definitely played well as usual. Dhanush as Bala sir was too good, he elevated this movie which was good in parts and brought that feel good aspect with his acting and the child actors'.
Another issue with the film was the conclusion. The children came to learn about Bala sir and then we learn he is in Ooty. But it did not make sense that the children who came to learn about him did not learn anything further about him nor even concluded that plot thread. I felt a better conclusion could have been given the present storyline.
GV Prakash gives a good background score and another fantastic aspect of the movie is the cinematography. The village is so authentic and the 90s are portrayed so well. Some hairstyles looked more modern, but apart from that good.
I liked some scenes like the one which teaches the students equality and avoiding caste discrimination. It was a well done scene. I liked how he taught them different subjects and tested them on both. The monologues and how easily the people got convinced or clapped was a little annoying at times, making it feel preachy, but Dhanush makes it watchable. Some emotional scenes were good, but mainly due to acting than overall writing.
Overall, this is a village drama which reinforces the value of education. It works in parts. If you haven't seen movies like Super 30, following similar line, you will enjoy it more.