8 Vasanthalu

Phanindra Narsetti just made a modern Geethanjali, and I felt my soul leave my body, not only because of the beautiful visuals but also 'cause of the dialogues, the characters, and the writing. Pure bliss. Beautiful to the core.

The whole "Goddess in You" dialogue is one of the greatest ever. Not only for the words, but also for the way it unfolds, the way the rushy background score lifting the whole sequence, and the way the goddess herself delivers it. Exactly my thoughts and if I ever make a film, this would be it, if you hadn't already made it. Imagine thinking of Geethanjali half half through the first half and the music cassette of it appearing not just once but twice on screen. I got so excited.

There are so many dialogues I want to quote here, the ones that moved me, resonated/connected with me, but doing that would make this review the whole script of 8 Vasantalu. Also, I tried remembering the dialogues exactly, while watching, but before I could finish processing one, another would arrive, and then another, and another. I can understand the depth of each dialogue and I also understand that they could only come from life experiences, both bad and good. Beautiful feels like a small word. Maybe I'll quote them one by one through my 10 rewatches in theatres.

Only my sister and an ex-online-friend know how much I hate using both social media and a phone. I'm glad that I was able to leave social media forever, 2 years ago, and I wish I could get rid of the phone entirely too in the next few years as I was hoping since long time. Loved how the goddess in this movie is exactly like me, especially in this topic. That's one of the many reasons that helped me connect with the character.

This was one of my most awaited films, right after Salaar 2 and OG. I've been literally thinking about this movie every single day since I watched that very first teaser. As I stopped (a few months ago) watching the trailers before watching any movie, even the ones with my most favourite filmmakers, I managed to do that to this film too despite this being one of my most awaited films. I'm down so bad for this, that I preferred to watch this first than one of my most favourite director's comeback film which is releasing the same day (ofc I didn't watch the trailer of it too).

And despite all the waiting, all the excitement, and all the expectations on this film, I absolutely loved it and I could even say that it surpassed my peak expectations. I had already listened to Andhamaa song 30+ times since it's release, and even though Parichayamila dropped just a couple of days ago, I already played it 20+ times. Given that how much I loved that song and the lyrics of it, nothing prepared me for how much I would cry, for how beautiful it would feel on screen, both visually and emotionally. The moment I saw that guy in the white T-shirt at the start with his face hidden, I knew what was coming.

And omg, here comes the beatifulllestttt last act. I don't even know the words to describe it properly. All I can say is that I resonated with it so much, as I absolutely love travelling and all. That says about why Charlie (2015) is on my all time favourites list since a long time. Speaking of that act, there's this one dialogue which goes "I've been a guide here for 3 three months, but only now I've felt the love Shah Jahan had for Mumtaz". And just like that, my soul left my body again. And also the way the title "8 Vasantalu" unfolds is too damn good. That's the actual twist to me.

Thank you Phanindra Narsetti for pushing me forward in my life and in my dream. Love You. Forever. Love this film. Forever.

The film presents a gentle mix of fresh ideas and a few that feel a touch outdated, all woven into a story that settles somewhere between earnest and uneven. While the intention behind the screenplay is admirable-leaning into poetic and philosophical tones-it doesn't always manage to draw the viewer in, occasionally drifting into still waters of monotony.

Several scenes and characters feel more ornamental than essential, and a certain fight sequence feels oddly misplaced in what is otherwise a romantic drama. The emotional intensity is heightened through a series of tragic departures, but their frequency begins to feel more manufactured than moving.

The Kashmir sequence and the interval scene stand tall as moments of genuine cinematic beauty. The background score attempts to stir the soul, though it sometimes veers into distraction rather than depth.

Ananthika delivers a few heartfelt moments, but much of the supporting cast seems to echo the rhythm of television melodrama. A few casting choices leave one wondering if they truly served the story.

Phanindra's direction sparkles briefly in places, though it doesn't hold a steady course throughout. The visual palette of the film is lovely-the locations are picturesque, the art direction and costumes are well-crafted, and the makeup is pleasing to the eye. The cinematography deserves a special mention for its richness, though the abundance of close-up shots feels a bit overindulgent at times.

Among the songs, one manages to linger pleasantly, while the rest pass without leaving much trace.

In all, the film has its moments of grace, but struggles to sustain them fully.

One of the most beautiful films I've watched in the recent times! The film takes us into a different world. Each principal character is very well written and their journey strengthens the storyline organically.

The visuals are soulful and the music is scintillating. The dialogues are praiseworthy. It's basically a wonderful script canvassed in an honest way. Performances are fresh. The lead actress will walk away with all the honours for carrying the entire film on her shoulders.

For all those guys who complain that Telugu cinema doesn't come with fresh content. Here's the answer!

The story and setting has an international appeal (Mind you, I didn't say Hollywood), as the same subject can be effectively narrated in any language.

Highly recommended!

The movie started on a strong female charecter pratoganist Shruthi Ayodhya a strong brave , courageous women devoted to her passion and family, through the course of storyline it actually feels like the injustice to the main character but the climax it says it all "Someone's trash is others treasure" , it shows the dignity and responsibilities that women holds through the her life choices her responsibilities. Climax even justifies the title " 8 Vasantalu " ,every dialogue in this movies resonates to atleast one incident women goes through in her life it captured something many people fail to do these days in these kind of love stories that is a positive side of failures , "moving on " phase of love incredibly shown

Also I personally felt even though the film was incredible it somewhere fed to the view of no matter how capable women are they always need be portrayed in a certain traditional way of course it was a film and that was all the charecter was about but yea seeing if from a different perspective , since it was a strong female charecter who is a writer justified the asthetics of the charecter This movie lands on a very important lesson that is --- We measure years by days 1 year is 365 days but measure your life by experiences that shape you into a better version of yourself.

8-Vasanthalu feels less like a traditional movie and more like reading a novel, especially one that explores the inner emotional lives of its characters. It doesn't just focus on external events but delves deep into the thoughts and psychological layers of the people we see on screen. That makes it a thoughtful and ambitious piece of cinema.

The director's unique style, strongly seen in the film Manu, is still present here, especially in the first half. The visuals, the pacing, and the use of silence carry his signature. However, For a female-centric narrative and a change in genre, the emotional connection with the audience feels more distant.

Visually, the film is rich and striking. Every frame looks like a carefully composed painting. But while the visuals are beautiful, they don't always serve the emotional or narrative flow effectively. The storytelling lacks a certain rhythm, which makes it harder for the audience to stay emotionally engaged with the characters. We know what they are going on, but we cannot able to feel the Pain or Joy in them.

One noticeable issue is the emotional similarity across all characters. Despite having different professional backgrounds and ethical viewpoints, the characters seem to share the same emotional tone and inner voice. This could be because the writer appears too deeply involved in each character's mind, resulting in dialogue and emotional responses that feel too alike. This weakens the sense of realism and individuality.

The music, while well-composed in parts, sometimes feels too loud or dramatic in scenes that would have benefited from quiet or subtle scoring. In certain places, silence could have spoken louder. Some dialogues and performances also feel a bit forced or philosophical, resembling lines from a self-help book more than organic conversations.

The film also struggles in how it handles major emotional shifts. Characters make big decisions quickly and with little emotional buildup, which makes it hard for the audience to fully understand or feel the weight behind those choices. Suddhi's arc feels almost short and fast, that we cannot actually know her deepest feelings and there is still a distance between the viewer and her. The first boyfriend's character undergoes a sudden and jarring transformation, while the second boyfriend is mostly revealed through narration rather than action. His presence is soothing in tone, but it lacks the emotional depth to leave a lasting impression.

Ultimately, this film feels like a sincere creative experiment. It is more concerned with internal reflection and artistic expression than straightforward storytelling. But in doing so, it risks alienating viewers. Just as someone used to familiar South Indian cuisine might find the taste of European food unfamiliar and distant, viewers may find the tone and structure of this film difficult to connect with at this moment. It attempts to carve a unique of storytelling and visual expression. However, with stronger grounding, maybe slowly it will resonate with everyone.