Suresh Kavirayani
sureshkavirayani@gmail.com
While Telugu cinema often features mass entertainers where the protagonist takes on goons and saves the world, many recent films are filled with violence, action, and gore. Only a few offer realistic stories with natural performances. One such film is Muthayya, which has released directly on ETV Win. Directed by debutant Bhaskar Maurya, the film features a cast of mostly new actors.
Story
Muthayya (Sudhakar Reddy) is an elderly man living in a village in Telangana. He does odd jobs to make a living but is an avid movie buff who watches all the latest releases in town. His close friend is Malli, a young cycle mechanic. Muthayya dreams of becoming an actor and expresses this desire to Malli, asking him to show his film to all the villagers once he succeeds.
Meanwhile, Malli is in love with a college-going girl from the same village, and the two meet in secret. Muthayya’s son, who sells sarees for a living, never encourages his father’s dream. Against this backdrop, the film explores whether Muthayya’s dream comes true and what happens to Malli and his love story. These questions are answered as the story unfolds.
Analysis
There’s always something special about village-based stories, as they bring out the innocence of the characters. Director Bhaskar tells the story of Muthayya, an elderly man passionate about cinema. He appreciates old films but also wants to watch the latest ones to understand how movies are being made today.
Muthayya shares a strong bond with Malli. They quarrel, joke, drink together, but can’t live without each other—that’s the essence of their friendship. Muthayya owns an acre of land and lost his wife early in life. Though his son doesn’t encourage him, Muthayya loves both his son and grandson deeply.
The director narrates Muthayya’s love for cinema and his journey to becoming an actor. All the characters are portrayed realistically, and their behavior and dialogues feel natural. The scenes between Malli and his lover at the bus stop are hilariously presented.
Some standout moments include Muthayya running to see a film shoot in his village and making reels on his phone. These scenes showcase his fascination with cinema. Though the narration is slow-paced, it keeps the viewer curious about whether Muthayya succeeds in fulfilling his dream.
The film also touches on traditional theatre (natakam), once popular in villages. Back in the 70s and 80s, villagers performed mythological dramas without even being able to read properly, yet they recited difficult dialogues and sang poetic verses fluently. The film brings back this nostalgic village culture.
The last 45 minutes become more engaging and emotionally rich as Muthayya faces several problems. A short filmmaker arrives in the village and decides to make a short film with Muthayya, leading to trouble. From this point, the director skillfully handles the narrative until the end, including several emotional moments. He connects multiple narrative threads through Muthayya’s story. The music is nicely composed, and the cinematography beautifully captures the village backdrop and its greenery.
Performances
Sudhakar Reddy, who plays Muthayya, steals the show. He is undoubtedly the film’s backbone, delivering a natural and powerful performance. He truly becomes Muthayya on screen, making it one of the finest portrayals in recent times.
Arun Kumar, who plays Malli, is another highlight. He delivers a superb performance and supports the lead actor well. Though most of the other actors are newcomers, they all do justice to their roles.
Technical Aspects
Director Bhaskar Maurya makes a confident debut, focusing on authenticity and emotional depth rather than commercial frills. The screenplay unfolds at a measured pace, which may feel slow at times but suits the tone of the story. Dialogues are realistic and rooted in the village setting, adding to the film’s charm. Karthik Rodriguez’s music complements the narrative beautifully—subtle yet emotionally stirring. The background score supports the mood without being overbearing. Divakar Mani’s cinematography is a major asset. He captures the lush village landscapes, rustic textures and everyday moments with warmth and simplicity. The visuals feel organic, reflecting the soul of rural Telangana.
Verdict
Muthayya is a well-written film set in a village, revolving around an old man’s dream to become an actor. Whether or not he fulfills his dream is what keeps the audience engaged. Sudhakar Reddy lives the character of Muthayya and is ably supported by the rest of the cast. Though there are a few loopholes, the film is definitely worth watching. It has already won several awards nationally and internationally.
Cast: Sudhakar Reddy, Arun Raj, Poorna Chandra, Mounika Bomma, and others
Cinematography: Divakar Mani
Music Director: Karthik Rodriguez
Producers: Vamsi Karumanchi, Vrinda Prasad
Writer and Director: Bhaskar Maurya
Release: ETV Win
Rating: 3/5
