Vanaya (2006)

Directed by: Rajnesh Domalpalli | 111 minutes | drama, music, family | Actors: Mamatha Bhukya, Urmila Dammannagari, Ramachandriah Marikanti, Krishnamma Gundimalla, Karan Singh, Bhavani Renukunta, Krishna Garlapati, Prabhu Garlapati, Ram Babu Tarra, Veeramma Sadula

Surprisingly, the touching yet poignant story about the young Vanaja who has to contend with social injustice and personal trauma is a graduation film by director Rajnesh Domalpalli. Surprising because this is not just a finger exercise. ‘Vanaja’ is not a simple genre film to showcase cinematic techniques. No, it’s an ambitious film that actually has something to say. While not every plot point or story element develops equally fluently, logically, or profoundly, Domalpalli’s ‘Vanaja’ admirably manages to take a look at the caste system through the personal issues of the necessarily (too) quickly maturing. vanaya.

For a moment, the film seems to follow the established paths of regular sports or dance films, in which a poor, apparently hopeless protagonist is given the opportunity to fulfill his or her dream and grows into a sensation. No, then ‘Vanaja’ is something else. This poor girl cleverly manages – by making it the bet of an Indian board game – to wrest some music and dance lessons from her boss; at first sight a strict lady, who is nevertheless charmed by the wisecracking Vanaja and is willing to take her under her wing. She turns out to be a true dance talent and the viewer is already preparing for a wonderfully happy ending.

But then the film takes on a more grim form. A relative comes into play who seems attractive but can’t keep his hands to himself and even rapes and impregnates Vanaja. Then the question is what fourteen-year-old Vanaja will do with the child. Vanaja’s continuously drunk father proposes to keep it and then sell it. Vanaja herself eventually wants to stay with her child, but is it really that easy? And to what extent will this child be accepted by the father, who does not want to be associated with the lower caste from which Vanaja comes? The lower castes, it turns out, are darker-skinned, so it’s hard to hide the child’s parentage. In one embarrassing scene, some light cream is even smeared on the baby, hoping it won’t look so dark.

‘Vanaja’ is a compelling story with important, committed themes, and solid acting. The knowledge that these are exclusively non-professional actors underlines that last point even more. Lead actress Mamatha Bhukya in particular stands out for both her graceful, effortless dance steps (which she had to learn especially for the film) and her largely convincing and engaging acting. Interestingly enough, it’s the subtler emotions that she impresses with.

The dance scenes are a welcome change within the somewhat heavy story, but they are not separate from the whole. In fact, it seems to be a manifestation of Vanaja’s wishes and restrained emotions. In her dance rituals she can express herself and be free in a way that is no longer possible in her daily life. While portraying various Hindu gods and characters in various emotional states, the true Vanaja comes alive; which allows her to survive in the practical prison of her reality.