Unveiling ‘Krishnamma’: A Crime-Drama with Good Intentions, but Falls Short of Expectations

KRISHNAMMA

Starring: Satyadev, Athira Raj, Nanda Gopal, Laxman Meesala, Krishna Burugala

Directed by: V V Gopala Krishna

Rating: 2/5

In ‘Krishnamma’, there comes a point where Bhadra (played by Satyadev) questions the flawed standards that society uses to judge its guardians. He reflects on how compassion and humanity often take a backseat in the decisions made by those responsible for upholding the law when dealing with their fellow human beings. This moment arrives quite late in the film, after we have witnessed the simmering anger and frustration of our main characters. It strikes a chord with us, going beyond the boundaries of the story and resonating with universal anguish. ‘Krishnamma’ has several such moments where the debutant writer-director, VV Gopala Krishna, convinces us that his intentions are noble. Unfortunately, the film falls victim to predictability and a lack of skilled craftsmanship.

Set in the mid-2000s against the backdrop of Vijayawada, ‘Krishnamma’ follows the story of three inseparable friends: Bhadra, Koti (played by Laxman Meesala), and Shiva (played by Krishna Burugula). Each of them represents a different shade of moral righteousness. While Bhadra and Koti don’t mind engaging in petty crimes to make ends meet, Shiva remains steadfast in his aversion to their vices, all the while maintaining their friendship. The bond between these three men feels genuine, and the film takes its time to establish their camaraderie and the world they inhabit. Gopala Krishna also beautifully captures the essence of Vijayawada, infusing it with vibrant colors and a lively atmosphere.

The main issue with ‘Krishnamma’ is that the emotional ups and downs of the story feel a bit uneven. It’s a tale of injustice and revenge, but the film struggles to find the right balance between the two. When Bhadra and his buddies find themselves in trouble, the director, Gopala Krishna, keeps ramping up the tension for a long time, which can get pretty frustrating after a while.

During these parts, ‘Krishnamma’ spends too much time focusing on the corrupt police and legal system, neglecting the emotional turmoil faced by the three young men whose lives are at stake. What should have been a story about their struggle for justice ends up becoming more about the wrongdoers, and the film never quite recovers from this narrative choice.

To make matters worse, the protagonists’ journey towards revenge feels rushed. The director crams the much-anticipated emotional payoff into a four-minute montage. On one hand, it’s kind of admirable that the film doesn’t drag out its action scenes, which could have been excessively violent just for the sake of pleasing the audience. But at the same time, the film needed those moments to have a lasting impact and resonate with us, instead of just passing by.

Above all, ‘Krishnamma’ is a predictable story at its core. While the first and second halves of the film have different tones, they both rely on conventional storytelling tropes. Gopala Krishna wants to shed light on social injustice on a broader scale, but his writing lacks the unique and inventive tools needed to engage the audience effectively.

He tries to create intrigue by introducing a red herring early on in the film, showing us a brutal crime committed by Bhadra, only to reveal the truth before the audience gets too invested in it.