Ever wondered why zero, which holds no value on its own, suddenly becomes more significant than nine when preceded by a one, transforming into 10? This intriguing question permeates the narrative of the Telugu family drama *35: Chinna Katha Kaadu* (Not a Small Story), masterfully directed by debutant Nanda Kishore Emani. The film delves deep into the fundamentals of Mathematics: should they be accepted as rigid norms, or is there room for questioning and exploration? This moving story, starring Nivetha Thomas, Viswadev, Priyadarshi, child actors Abhay and Arun, along with more than 50 children, encourages viewers to look within and take that crucial first step towards overcoming setbacks. *35* portrays children as authentically as possible and evokes a sense of nostalgia for an age of innocence.
Set in the temple town of Tirupati, the story revolves around Saraswathi (Nivetha Thomas), who devotes her life to her family – her husband Prasad (Viswadev), a bus conductor, and their two sons, Abhay and Arun (Arun Dev). In the film’s opening scenes, we see cupboard door handles shaped like a veena, a traditional musical instrument. Strikingly, Saraswathi is never seen playing the veena, symbolizing the sacrifices she makes for her family, leaving her with no time to pursue her own passions. The production design, helmed by Latha Naidu, eloquently highlights the sparse yet meaningful household.
Accompanied by the melodic strains of Annamacharya’s ‘Bhavayami Gopala Balam,’ composer Vivek Sagar fills *35* with soothing classical and semi-classical notes that set the tone for the narrative. Saraswathi’s encouragement to her son Arun before his examination, stating that “we” have to win, encapsulates the collective familial struggle and aspirations. Paradoxically, despite her name, Saraswathi is deemed a failure for not passing her 10th standard exams, and now her son Arun, who is in the fifth grade, faces similar challenges.
Rather than focusing on whether Arun wants to succeed, the story emphasizes society’s reaction to his setbacks. Nanda Kishore introduces Chanakya (Priyadarshi), a Math teacher who stigmatizes students by their marks, not pondering the psychological impact of labeling a child as zero or ‘sunna’. When Chanakya himself becomes the subject of a witty retort comparing his rigidity to a ‘constant’ in algebra, it triggers hearty laughs among the audience.
The central conflict of *35* can be summarized succinctly: what happens when a boy known for scoring zero is challenged to score at least 35 to stay in school? Who will help him achieve this? The narrative inevitably brings to mind the Hindi film *Taare Zameen Par*. However, unlike Ishaan Awasthi (Darsheel Safary), who receives guidance from Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir Khan), Arun finds no ally in Chanakya. Instead, he faces additional challenges due to Chanakya’s bruised ego.
What sets Nanda Kishore’s storytelling apart is his ability to inspire characters to introspect, muster courage, and work towards overcoming their failures. The 145-minute film provides ample space to reflect on Saraswathi’s busy life at home while strengthening the bonds between the children.
. It’s been a long time since mainstream cinema has depicted children so vividly. Much of *35* unfolds within fifth and sixth-grade classrooms, portraying the dynamics of class monitoring, inclusion, and exclusion among students – all elements that feel both relatable and authentic. Even the pranks are portrayed naturally and not as exaggerated comedic devices.
The film beautifully maps out the bonds between siblings and the relationship between Saraswathi and Prasad. One touching moment comes when Arun, overwhelmed by his studies, nostalgically mentions that it has been long since he heard the endearment ‘chinnu’ at home, highlighting children’s keen observations of their surroundings.
However, the film falters slightly in its portrayal of the principal (Bhagyaraj), who remains passive for too long against the authoritarian Math teacher. For those who view Maths as their nemesis, Chanakya is an embodiment of terror. Priyadarshi’s portrayal of the snobbish, emotionless teacher is spot on, to the extent that audiences find themselves rooting for the pranks played against him.
The standout performance in *35* comes from Nivetha Thomas, who portrays Saraswathi with a dignity and grace that is both captivating and heart-wrenching. Her character, multitasking and balancing various responsibilities, is flawlessly brought to life. This role is arguably Nivetha’s finest to date, and cinematographer Niketh Bommi enriches her presence with warm, glowing frames that exude visual magic.
Viswadev delivers an earnest performance as the supportive spouse, and the child actors – Arun, Abhay, the girl playing Kiran, and their classmates – bring vibrancy to their roles. Arun’s mix of vulnerability and mischief aligns perfectly with his character arc. Though Gautami appears in a brief role, her grace is noteworthy even if somewhat underwritten.
*35: Chinna Katha Kaadu* can leave viewers with heartwarming tears and a broad smile. There is nothing quite like rooting for an underdog and collectively savoring their eventual victory. The narrative’s cherry on top is its eloquent explanation of how zero gains significance when followed by other numbers, tying back to the film’s opening intrigue and making for a perfect culmination to this uplifting tale.
The film was released on September 06, 2024, and continues to resonate profoundly with its audiences in Telangana and beyond.
