Pottel: The concept is good, but the execution is not up to the mark

Pottel is one of the small films hitting screens, and the promotional videos have piqued interest, with people like Sandeep Reddy Vanga speaking highly of it. Though the cast lacks big names, the film’s promotions have attracted a sizable audience. Yuva Chandra and Ananya Nagalla play the lead roles, while Ajay takes on a significant part. Sahit Mothkhuri, who previously directed Savari, helms this film.
Story:
The story is set in the rural village of Gurram Gattu in Telangana. The villagers believe in their local goddess Balamma, and every 12 years, a Jathara is held in her honor, where a pottel (goat) is sacrificed. A village family, tasked with caring for the pottel through generations, has now passed this responsibility to Gangadhari (Yuva Chandra). A local landlord, Patel (Ajay), dominates the village and discourages lower-caste villagers from pursuing education. He wields the villagers’ faith in the goddess to intimidate them, keeping them from defying him. Gangadhari, who is married to Bujjamma (Ananya Nagalla), has a young daughter named Saraswathi (Thanasvi). Haunted by the belief that his own lack of education led to his brother’s tragic accident, Gangadhari is determined to educate his six-year-old daughter. Patel, however, stands firmly against it. The film follows Gangadhari’s struggles to get his daughter educated and his battle against Patel’s oppression.
Analysis:
Director Sahit Mothkhuri draws on a setting reminiscent of rural Telangana in the 1980s, depicting landlords or “Patels” who once controlled entire villages. The premise of a villager’s fight to educate his daughter against the backdrop of superstition and social inequality is compelling. However, while the film’s subject matter is promising, the director struggles to deliver it effectively onscreen. Certain scenes drag, and the central issue is not conveyed with the necessary impact.
Superstition, an integral part of the era, is woven into the story, adding some engaging moments. However, the film’s overall execution lacks a gripping narrative. The first half-hour introduces the village, the landlord, the goddess Balamma, and the pottel, though the love story between Gangadhari and Bujjamma is hastily developed, with only a few scenes and songs dedicated to it. The main storyline picks up with Gangadhari’s attempts to enroll his daughter in school, which Patel opposes. In the second half, certain violent scenes feel unnecessary. While some sequences are effective, others appear dragged and illogical. For instance, in one scene, Gangadhari is caught attempting to steal a Ganesh idol from Patel’s house but is inexplicably let go unharmed, despite Patel’s otherwise hostile intentions. While the climax is executed well, some character depth is lacking, particularly in the Sigam festival scenes, which fail to captivate. In one instance, when Patel (Ajay) kicks Bujjamma (Ananya Nagalla), the scene fails to evoke a strong reaction from the audience. On a positive note, the background music complements the rustic tone of the film, and the cinematography stands out with striking visuals. The songs, especially the one in the climax, are well-done.
Performances:
Yuva Chandra, as the protagonist, gives a sincere performance and fits the role well. Ananya Nagalla also performs capably as Bujjamma, though her role is largely confined to the second half. Her character could have been more fully developed, but she shines in her limited scenes. Thanasvi, playing the child, delivers a commendable performance. Ajay has a significant presence throughout the film, though his character lacks depth. Srikanth Aiyengar as the teacher, Noel as Seenu, and Priyanka Sharma as Ajay’s wife all play their parts well.
Verdict:
Ultimately, Pottel tackles a thought-provoking topic but fails to fully realize it on screen. With more attention to certain elements, especially in the second half, it could have been a stronger film. The music, cinematography, and songs are well-crafted, with solid production values.