Sundarakanda review: A light-hearted romantic comedy with missed depth
The story begins with Siddharth during his school days, when he feels an instant attraction towards a girl whose presence brings him positive energy. His innocent admiration, however, ends abruptly when he is caught writing letters to her and the girl is removed from school. Years later, Siddharth faces a quarter-life crisis. With increasing pressure about marriage, he decides to move to the USA in the hope of finding peace. His delay in settling down is tied to his own set of expectations, as he searches for a girl who can speak through her eyes, has a friendly nature, shows genuine kindness, carries a positive outlook, and is not easily tempted by chocolates. These qualities reflect what he admired in his childhood crush, and he holds onto them firmly.
Siddharth accidentally meets Phoebe, played by Virti. Though their first meeting happens because of his own mistake, her response impresses him and fits into his checklist. From there begins his pursuit of her. Satya, with his natural comic timing, adds humour to the proceedings and manages to make even ordinary scenes engaging. As the story unfolds, love and fun develop, leading up to a wedding twist. It is revealed that Phoebe is connected to the girl Siddharth once admired in his school days, resulting in a web of confusion between the two female leads and his family. While the idea recalls the emotional depth of the Bollywood film Lamhe, here the attempt falls short, as the tenderness of school-time admiration and the perspective of present-day characters are not explored fully. The family angle too feels rushed, especially towards the ending.
Performances carry much of the film. Satya is undoubtedly the highlight, with sharp one-liners and effortless humour that brighten even the duller parts. Virti, as Phoebe, is a refreshing addition and suits her role well, while Ira as the flawed character leaves a strong impact. Estella exists more as a reflection of the hero’s mindset than as a fully fleshed-out character. Nara Rohit fits comfortably into his role as always, though his character lacks depth due to underdeveloped writing. A tribute to Sundarakanda is attempted through a college lecturer track, but this too feels lightly touched rather than properly explored.
On the technical side, the film has its strengths. The music works well, with three songs standing out and a background score that lifts the mood effectively. The cinematography and art direction are neat and show genuine effort in maintaining the film’s visual appeal. However, the editing leaves something to be desired. The childhood scenes feel abruptly cut, and the second half suffers from a slight lag, which slows down the flow of the story.
Sundarakanda review: Overall, the film is a light-hearted romantic comedy, helped by enjoyable performances. Yet it does not achieve the emotional depth that’s mandatory for this kind of a story. Stronger writing, better exploration of relationships, and more attention to character development could have elevated it into something truly memorable. As it stands, it entertains in parts but leaves the audience wishing for more substance.
Rating: 2.5/5
