Ashta Chamma - What's in a Name?

 

Ashta Chamma

Telugu, 2008

Director - Mohan Krishna Indraganti

Stars - Nani, Swathi Reddy, Srinivas Avasarala, Bhargavi, Jhansi, Tanikella Bharani

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A note to Telugu directors and writers in the present day.  If you really want to make a good movie, then look no further than Ashta Chamma for inspiration.  Inspired by Oscar Wilde's play, The Importance of Being Earnest,  the movie is a zany, fun-filled, screwball comedy that can be watched by the entire family.

Director Indraganti is to be credited for his fine selection of cast, including Nani in his first ever big screen production.  The chemistry, the comedic timing, and the allowance for some improv reminds us of the classic comedies of the 1940s and 50s.  Indeed, the two lead actors compete with each other and play off each much in the style of Hope and Crosby, which lends to the quirkiness of Swathi Reddy's childlike tantrums.

The plot of the film is engaging, and centers around a certain real world actor, who, to the disappointment of many single women, married that year.  

His name is very well known, and certainly will be all the more when you watch this brilliant comedy.