Anaganaga Review – A Thought-Provoking Tale About Education, Now Streaming on ETV Win
Streaming Date: May 15, 2025
Platform: ETV Win
Cast: Sumanth, Kajal Choudhary, Master Viharsh, Avasarala Srinivas, Anu Hasan, Rakesh Rachakonda, B.V.S. Ravi, Kaumudi Nemani
Director: Sunny Sanjay
Producers: Rakesh Reddy Gadam, Rudra Madireddy
Music: Chandu Ravi
Cinematography: Pavan Pappula
Editing: Venkatesh Chunduru
Rating: 2.75/5
Overview:
Veteran actor Sumanth returns to the screen with Anaganaga, a Telugu original film streaming on ETV Win. Directed by Sunny Sanjay, the film dives deep into the flaws of the current educational framework while weaving in themes of parenting, personal beliefs, and institutional rigidity.
Plot:
The story follows Vyas (Sumanth), a progressive schoolteacher who believes in fostering real understanding over rote memorization. His wife Bhagi (Kajal Choudhary), who also happens to be the school principal, strongly disagrees with his teaching philosophy. Trouble brews when their son Ram and other students fail their exams, leading the school management to terminate Vyas. The rest of the film explores how Vyas deals with the setback and whether he can transform the lives of the students and restore his own credibility.
What Works:
- Relevant Theme: Anaganaga takes a sincere shot at critiquing the obsession with grades over genuine learning, particularly in elite schools. The film’s central message is clear and relatable.
- Emotional Core: The emotional tension between the father, son, and wife forms the heart of the story. The conflict between personal ideals and institutional pressure is well-articulated.
- Sumanth’s Performance: Once again, Sumanth delivers an understated yet compelling performance. He brings sincerity and depth to his character, especially in emotional scenes involving his son’s academic struggles. This is arguably one of his strongest roles post Malli Raava.
- Supporting Cast: Kajal Choudhary is convincing as a rigid yet responsible school principal. The child actor Viharsh delivers a naturally emotive performance. Avasarala Srinivas fits well into his role as a disciplined teacher.
- Direction & Execution: Director Sunny Sanjay deserves praise for creating relatable conflicts and extracting strong performances from the cast. The film’s emotional tone is consistent, and its core message is never lost.
- Production Value: The cinematography captures the middle-class school setting with a warm, realistic touch. The music, particularly the background score, subtly enhances the emotional moments. The production design, reflecting real-life classrooms and homes, adds authenticity.
What Could Have Been Better:
- Familiar Story Arc: While the theme is important, the narrative follows a path that feels familiar. Films about idealistic teachers challenging broken systems have been done before, and Anaganaga doesn’t bring anything drastically new to the table.
- Slow Start: The pacing in the first half is on the slower side. It takes a while before the story finds its rhythm and hits the emotional highs.
- Shallow Conflict Resolution: Vyas’s journey to challenge the flawed system could have been explored in greater depth. His methods and transformation feel underdeveloped and too convenient in parts.
- Predictability: The storyline is easy to anticipate, and some might find it too straightforward. More nuanced twists or deeper philosophical confrontations could’ve enhanced the impact.
Technical Merits:
- Music: Chandu Ravi’s score complements the film’s mood well. The songs are situational and blend into the narrative without distracting from the story.
- Editing: The film could benefit from a tighter edit. A few repetitive scenes in the school setting could be trimmed for a more engaging flow.
- Cinematography & Design: Pavan Pappula’s camera work captures the film’s tone effectively. The set design, especially the classroom sequences, feels authentic and well-detailed.
Final Verdict:
Anaganaga is a sincere, emotionally resonant social drama that tackles real-world issues within the school system. Though it treads on familiar ground, the film’s heartfelt performances—especially from Sumanth—and its timely message make it worth a watch. For those who enjoy message-driven cinema with emotional depth, this is a decent pick for your OTT watchlist.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (2.75/5)
