3BHK Telugu Movie Review: A warm and relatable tale

3BHK, produced by Arun Viswa, is playing in theatres. Mythri Movie Distributors has brought out the Telugu version. TFN tells you what the film is all about. Story: Prabhu (Siddharth) comes from a middle-class family whose patriarch, Vasudevan (R Sarathkumar), dreams of owning a decent 3BHK flat. The story essentially revolves around the duo, the mother Shanthi (Devayani), and the sister Aarthi (Meetha Ragunath). Vasudevan’s unrealized dream now becomes Prabhu’s. Will he come to own a 3BHK? Analysis: Siddharth has aided meaningful films like Chithha and Test in recent times. 3BHK is another fervent attempt by him. The latest film enriches his filmography. Sarathkumar, seen recently the Ponniyin Selvan duology and Kannappa, delivers a touching performance in the role of a doting, loving father. Devayani of Suswagatham fame is impressive. Yogi Babu, Meetha Raghunath, and Chaithra J Achar (of Sapta Sagaradaache Ello-Side B fame) play different well-etched characters. Written and directed by Sri Ganesh, the film captures some of the most heated debates surrounding middle-class ownership of housing in Indian metros. The Telugu version has dialogues by Rakendu Mouli Every ordinary family has an extraordinary story, the film says. Owing a house in major cities has turned out to be an out-of-reach dream for most middle-class families. One has to enter the upper-middle-class status to be able to afford EMIs and overlong loan tenures. In this setting, personal desires and relationships are often molded or suppressed to conform to the economic realities and limitations of the individuals’ social standing. A lack of true freedom in pursuing one’s ideal life is palpable. The film’s commitment to realism is praiseworthy. The protagonist isn’t a hero, an adventurist, or exceptionally lucky; he is someone the audience can easily identify with, facing everyday struggles. It is good that 3BHK doesn’t take short-cuts. The movie’s emotionally rewarding scenes make it worth a watch. This is not the kind of film where you are obsessed with pacing issues. The conversations, the little dialogue-based touches, and the tender moments carry the mood forward. The father-son duo have a strong ability to understand each other’s feelings, thoughts, and unspoken needs. Amrit Ramnath’s music is soothing. The two cinematographers (Dinesh Krishnan B and Jithin Stanislaus) are good. Edited by Ganesh Siva, the film’s Art Direction is by Vinoth Rajkumar N. Verdict: Watch 3BHK for its grounded realism, touching performances, and a story that resonates deeply with the aspirations and struggles of ordinary families. The film is resonant and sensible.