I quite enjoyed watching this film, there are scenes that are developed with such care, the characters and scenery come alive and at times it is completely immersive. However, the ending of the film felt rushed and underdeveloped, the relationship between Chitti Babu and Rangalakshmi seemed to get lost in the second half, and the first half moves around from one idea to the next frantically, trying to capture everything. But despite all this, I had a lot of fun watching this movie, it has so much to offer that there is something in it for everyone. 

For me, I quite enjoyed the subplot of Rangasthalam and it’s villagers being played around like puppets by a God, who the villagers see as Jaagapati Babu (whose mere presence speaks volumes in the film). His house in the village is like a temple, people don’t even wear their slippers while walking past it and he is always engaged in some religious ritual, forming an image of untouchable godly power. But infact, as we come to know, he is the king of snakes, he is the villain in the film, the villain that Chitti Babu is alluded to be searching for and fighting in the beginning of the film where he is looking for a snake that has bitten him. All these strands come together beautifully and it’s one of the aspects of the film that I really liked. 

Then there are the characters, if anything Sukumar has done a great job at interweaving all these characters; their personalities flow out of the screen and are quite memorable. After the disaster of a film, Nanaku Prematho, Sukumar seems to have come back a little with these characters and scenery that can speak without saying a word. Rangasthalam is layered and has a lot of rewatchablility due to Sukumar taking his time to develop the location and the characters. At times though not all of the ideas in the film come together smoothly, often we are presented with scenes that abruptly interrupt the main narrative without developing any aspect of it.

Ram Charan as Chitti Babu, though, is the star of the film in every sense of the word, if this film worked it is because of him. In every scene his presence was felt, he elevated seemingly generic scenes and weaker points in the script. I couldn’t help but just keep smiling and laughing every time he came onto the screen. Ram Charan has seriously grown as an actor, he is no longer just standing under the shadow of his father but has come into a league of his own. Devi Sri Prasad also shines in this film, giving it one of the best soundtracks of the year, the opening song being my favorite. 

There is a lot to love in this film and a lot to enjoy, it falters here and there but the overall experience is a joy.