Sasivadane Review: A Three-Year Wait for Nothing — Scenic Godavari, But No Soul!
By Suresh Kavirayani
The small film Sasivadane took more than three years to complete and finally hit the screens this Friday. With no big releases this week, small films got their chance, and Sasivadane, starring Rakshith Atluri and Komalee Prasad, was one of them. Directed by Sai Mohan Ubbana, the film promised an emotional village drama set against the backdrop of Godavari but ends up testing your patience instead.
SasivadaneStory
Set around 2006 in a village near the Godavari, the film follows Raghava (Rakshith Atluri), who has completed his B.Sc. and applied for M.Sc. He lives with his doting father (Sreeman), as his mother passed away when he was a child. One day, he helps a girl named Sasi (Komalee Prasad) fix her cycle chain and instantly falls in love with her — as happens in many Telugu films.
From that moment, he begins following her everywhere on his bike, accompanied by his friend. The story takes a turn when Sasi’s brother-in-law (Prince Deepak) enters as the antagonist. Why does Raghava go to jail? What happens to his father? How does Sasi’s brother-in-law create chaos in his life? These form the rest of the story.
Sasivadane Review Analysis
Sasivadane has been in the news lately because producer Ahiteja Bellamkonda revealed the struggles he faced completing the film over three years without industry support. However, after watching it, one wonders how he ever approved this script.
Director Sai Mohan Ubbana spoke highly of the film before release, but the narration lacks depth and engagement. The protagonist falls for Sasi at first sight and spends the entire first half stalking her, with repetitive and boring sequences. There’s no real conflict, and even the father-son bond, which could’ve been the film’s emotional anchor, is poorly developed.
In the second half, the narrative remains flat. The heroine barely gets two lines in the first half and a few more in the second. The pacing is painfully slow, and every scene feels forced. The story is predictable from start to finish, with an unimpressive climax despite the hype around it.
The film fails in almost every department, story, screenplay, music, and dialogues. The only saving grace is the breathtaking cinematography capturing the lush beauty of the Godavari region. Sai Mohan’s camera work shines, but everything else sinks.
Rakshith Atluri, as Raghava, needs to work on his expressions and dialogue delivery. His performance feels memorized rather than natural. Komalee Prasad looks beautiful in traditional half-sarees and suits the role of a village girl, but her character lacks substance. Sreeman performs well as the caring father, while Prince Deepak’s villain role doesn’t leave much impact. The supporting cast barely gets any screen space or memorable moments.
Sasivadane is a film that doesn’t justify its long production delay. Despite scenic visuals, the story and emotions fall completely flat. The promised father-son sentiment never lands, and the movie ends up as a disappointing, over-budget misfire.
Sasivadane Review: New directors like Sai Mohan should focus more on story and emotional depth rather than dragging scenes, while new producers could take inspiration from small yet successful films like Little Hearts on how to make impactful cinema within budget.
Fridaywall Rating: 1/5
