Manasu (English : Soul) is a Telugu shortfilm written and directed by Trivikram Gajulapalli. Veteran Telugu actor Sri.Vankayala Satyanarayana, popularly knows as Vankayala in Telugu film industry, played the lead role.Manasu was declared Winner (Best Shortfilm) in "North American Telugu Association (NATA) shortfilm contest - 2016" which happened in Dallas,Texas,USA. NATA is one of the largest Indo-American non-profit organisations for networking of Telugu people in the North America.
Contents
Manasu takes you through an engaging journey which drives the point "Everything is a perception and its your heart that defines it. Dont be played by it. Our deeds and thoughts live beyond us. How we live is more important than how long we live." It also highlights many aspects of contemporary Indian society like thought processes of elderly parents, family relations, friendship, prominent issues in villages.
Plot
Krishna Rao (Vankayala Sathyanarayana) is an elderly man who recently lost his wife and is staying with his son's family. He is treated very well by everyone in the family. He is wise and was a social person throughout his life.
However, after his wife's demise he finds it difficult to come interms with the concept of death.His knowledge and wisdom fail to help no matter how much he learns about it. Thus he always looks disconnected and lost. His son notices this change in his father's behaviour but cannot guess what could be the reason.
One day Krishna Rao accidentally finds the toe-ring of his wife and it happens to coincide with his marriage day. He hesitates but decides to spend that day in his village and relive the memories. At village after spending some good time with his childhood friend Lakshmi Narayana, a.k.a. Lakshmi he feels relaxed and reveals that it is his marriage day. However Lakshmi also notices Krishna's unpredictable behaviour. On questioning about the same Krishna refuses to talk.
On same night Krishna realizes that he is just overthinking about death and shares the same with Lakshmi. This conversation between them forms the crux of the story. Krishna feels relieved and clear. With this clarity in his heart (MANASU) he passes away peacefully on the same night. But his good deads in the village and his strong beliefs continue to influence the lives of many in various forms. Life moves on.
Casting
Vankayala Satyanaryana as Krishna Rao
Mohan Rao as Lakshmi Narayana / Lakshmi
Janan Jacob as Son
Divya Thirumalai as Daughter-in-law
Crew
Story,Dialogues,Direction,Screenplay : Trivikram Gajulapalli
Production: Veenaa Vedika Productions Private Limited
Cinematography: Raja Bhattacharje
Awards
Winner - First prize at NATA (North America Telugu Association) Shortfilm Contest 2016 - Dallas, Texas, USA.