Everything is good in this film except for the technical aspects. Made on the life of Mahadeva, the
unclaimed body cremator is blood curdling. Mahadeva the state award winner has so far cremated more than 78000 unclaimed bodies in more than two decades of his profession. Based on the life of such a human and humble personality director K. Parthasaarathi has produced the cinema besides writing the story and screenplay.
A film on such a personality is perhaps the first time attempt in India. What is very interesting in the film is Mahadeva's character that expects a very minimum requirement to get a closed vehicle for the transport of dead so that public life that doesn't gets nuisance. He has asked for nothing to his life is shown in his exemplary good attitude.
In the olden days Dr.UR Ananthamurthy's 'Samskara' made in 1970, a trend setter cinema ain which a movement was started and the crux of the film was who should do cremation for a renegade Brahmin who is dead and lay in the public place.
Here in 'Samskaravantha' after 38 years it is the humanity of a personality like Mahadeva that is
acquiring importance. In the film 'Samskaravantha', the protagonist becomes an orphan and forgets his hunger and memories of his mother. He is spotted by Krishna Thatha who is earning bread by disposing unclaimed dead bodies. Not beaten, in an urge to live, Mahadeva marries a mad girl Malli on humanitarian grounds who later recoup from ill health.
Mahadeva transports bodies in a push cart and later graduates to a horse cart but even that becomes a humiliation for him among the public. At the signal lights and traffic jams, bodies evoke lot of smell and he understands the problem of carrying the dead in an open cart. At this stage, he buys the closed vehicle with the help of a journalist Bhushan.
Mahadeva has a peaceful and serene personal life. His wife and two children are extremely
co-operative for his kind of profession. Mahadeva's son reaches the top in the examination which brings happiness into his life.
Opening the ordeals of characters like Guruvayya, Rani, Mohanram, senior doctor Chikka, Lobhi and Chinna the directors throws light on the 'Arishadvargas'.
Sanketh Kashi in the role of Mahadeva is extremely apt for the role. He has lived up to the
expectations. The sense of serenity in his looks and humbleness earns him good applaud. Venkat Rao, Venu, Padma Vasanthi, Rajeswari, Gova Dattu have extended admirable support to this film.
There are two meaningful songs and dialogues which were well written by J.M.Prahallad. The technical aspects of this film and 15 percent chopping the film could have increased the standards even more.
A very good attempt and an eye opener!
Scoring :7/10
