Garividi Lakshmi review: Anandhi shines in a slow-moving Burra Katha biopic

Garividi Lakshmi, the biopic of the Burra Katha artist of the same name, opened in theatres on October 17. Critics agree on one point: Anandhi carries the film. Most also feel it moves too slowly to do her story full justice.

Gowri Naidu Jammu wrote and directed the film, and T G Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad produced it under People Media Factory. It follows a folk singer whose voice once reached all of Uttarandhra through live shows and audio cassettes. The story opens with filmmakers trying to trace the forgotten artist. It then covers her early marriage falling apart, her move into Burra Katha, her quick rise to fame and the betrayals that came with it.

Rag Mayur gets strong notices in the main supporting role, and Naresh is praised as a solid presence. Raasi, Sharanya Pradeep, Kancharapalem Kishore and Avasarala Srinivas complete the cast.

Charan Arjun's music is the other bright spot. He blends Lakshmi's own folk numbers with his own compositions, and the dialogue gets the local Uttarandhra speech right. Aditya Javvadi handled the camera and Ravi Teja Girijala edited the film.

The weak spot is the telling. Reviewers describe stretches that repeat themselves, with songs and stage performances stacking up without moving the plot, and big emotional moments that land softly. More than one critic sets it beside Mahanati, the Savitri biopic, and finds it falling short of that standard.

Even so, the makers earn credit for bringing an artist many younger Telugu viewers have never heard of back before an audience.