Starring Vijay Deverakonda as ‘Comrade’ Bobby and Rashmika Mandanna as Lilly, Dear Comrade is a love story that traces the character arcs of the leads. And no. It has nothing to do with Communism or Marxism, except as a backgrounder for the hero’s instinct to fight for what is right.
Directed by Bharat Kamma, who delivered a debut worth remembering, Dear Comrade is the chicken soup love story 2019 has been waiting for.
Bobby And Lilly
A love story can be set on anything, anywhere and between anyone. As long as the chemistry between the two (or three) works, the story will pull you in.
Rashmika and Vijay as Bobby and Lilly pull you into their tight embrace irrevocably. First the legend of Bobby as the comrade/fighter is built in a montage of song and fight. And then the legend of Lilly blooms in cheeky conversation and one hell of a bet cricket match.
And then the love story begins, and rises, and grows closer until it melts into a warm embrace drenched by an August rain, with Sid Sriram crooning what is one of the most lilting love songs of the year (Kadalalle).
The Movie And A Sequel
It’s like watching a love story that ends in tragedy, followed by its sequel, post interval. From a love story that’s no different from any other, to one that meanders like the ghat roads of Ladakh into multiple themes; sexual abuse by those in power, the softening of rivalries and enmity with age, a fight for one’s rights and the deathly safety within one’s own comfort zone. All of these themes are picked up along the way and come together in an explosive climax.
Sights and Sounds
Justin Prabhakaran’s background scores and Sujith Saarang’s cinematography weave into each other beautifully. He knows which scenes need absolute silence, and which need a philharmonic aural army. And then there’s the lone Carnatic violin in the especially emotional scenes that has become the mainstay in most Tamil and Telugu romances.
Just When You Think It Drags
The film surprises you with a twist in the tale. Both Vijay and Rashmika have drawn deep within themselves in moments that are emotionally draining, and their characters’ growth is beautiful to watch.
Despite the pre-credits message of standing by women against sexual abuse, that Vijay reads out; Dear Comrade is, all said and done, a love story. Nothing more. Nothing less.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)