Laxman (Vinoth Kishan) is an educated but unemployed man who is addicted to alcohol and gambling. Despite his good educational qualifications and family support, he refuses to work, believing it is beneath him. He prefers to pursue get-rich-quick schemes and scams. He is also abusive towards his wife, Varalakshmi (Anoosha), who is striving to create a better life for herself and her son, Rishikeshwar. Laxman’s schemes escalate when he plans to deceive Shweta (Rethika Srinivas), a wealthy divorcee, by pretending to love her and using her for money. Will Laxman succeed in his schemes to become rich, or will life and reality eventually expose his deceit? How does Varalakshmi deal with the abusive and inhuman behavior of her husband? The rest of the narrative answers the questions.
Vinoth Kishan portrays Laxman’s unusual and crooked character, who remains unlikable throughout. There is no room for sympathy towards him, and the film does not anticipate any. Vinoth effortlessly embodies this complex role. Conversely, Anoosha is given a more straightforward role, yet her character evolves as the movie unfolds and assumes the required strength, making the audience root for it. Rethika Srinivas and Anusha Nuthala portray their roles as Swetha and Varalakshmi’s neighbors and friends, respectively, with a genuine sense of realism. The supporting actors, who depict the family members of Varalakshmi and Laxman, deliver convincing and relatable performances despite the brevity of their roles.
Pekamedalu offers genuine storytelling with realistic characters and a backdrop. Director Neelagiri Mamilla effectively handled the film without losing focus. Similar to life, the proceedings in the movie encompass both hardship and joy. The story intends to convey a broader message about the troubled relationship between Laxman and Varalakshmi as they each pursue their own paths to a better life. Here, the director succeeds as he shows clearly that the path chosen by Laxman is full of deceit and ill intentions, while Varalakshmi tries to win over her issues with the confidence and the help of people around her.
Pekamedalu consistently captivates the audience. Despite the film’s slow pace in getting to the main plot, viewers gradually develop a sense of optimism for the character which they ultimately root for and wish for its success. The last thrity minutes work well for the film. Apart from the natural performances, the film also gets good technical support. The film’s cinematography adjusts well to the confined settings in which it takes place. Additionally, the dialogues in the movie significantly contribute to creating an authentic and intriguing atmosphere within its world. The Music is also good.
The film lacks intrigue in the initial stages and takes some time to set up. The drinking scenes and dialogues between Laxman and his friends appear repetitive. Though the constant mood is present in the film, at certain points, the slow pace gives a feeling of boredom.
