I caught a screening of this film at Sarathi Studios, and I was really put to my knees. Based on the life of Chintakindi Mallesham, this film covers his journey from his childhood dreams of helping his mother rid of the pain caused by the labor intensive work of Asu (process of designing, on a Pochampally saree) to his innovation called 'Asu machine.' What makes this film stand-out from the rest of the glossy and shoddily made masala films is its down-to-earth kind of sentimentality. The film ponders on little things that have influenced this man to make this inventive and empowering machine that has helped many lives relieve their stressful and physically exhausting work (that, at times, leaves them disabled.) The journey is filled with so much heart and understanding that it made me cry at times. Further, this is also elevated by the tremendous acting by Priyadarshi, and the supporting cast. The culture and beauty of Telangana was captured with real and raw authenticity, that I really felt immersed. The cinematography deserves a mention too, as it's a really good looking film. The direction, sound and production values are all fine, but what really stands-out of all is the performances of various artistes. They did justice to their parts. Although, it's not really a great film, it will be remembered as a really good story of a man who endured, and kept pushing on towards his dream of making the Asu Machine. Because, after the movie was over, I was moved and inspired by this story of Mallesham, who wanted to do good and contribute to his community. At the end of the day, it's a well-knit yarn. A yarn for the hardworking knitters of the Pochampally silk sarees.
