Anger Tales - Improper Endings

'Anger Tales' is currently streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar. In this section, we are going to review the latest OTT release.

When the trailer for 'Anger Tales' was released, it was evident that the anthology's four segments are about frustrated characters launching themselves into a rebellion. As such, the build-up to the explosion is what held the crux. Let's analyze each of the four segments.

Segment 1: Pooja

The story is set in an upscale gated community inhabited by committed vegetarians. Pooja (Madonna Sebastian), a housewife, has been advised by her physician to consume eggs to tide over fatigue (is it a Vitamin D deficiency thing? No clarity is given because the hazy perspective is used later when Pooja asserts that there shouldn't be a reason for why she wants to consume eggs or meat in a vegetarian household). Tharun Bhascker, who plays Pooja's husband, comes across as someone who lacks empathy and sensitivity. While the situations are true-to-life, the segment culminates on a comical note that doesn't feel like the end of it. There is no sense of closure. Also, the portrayal of the husband and the mother-in-law as uni-dimensional, 'obsessed with veg rules' characters doesn't help.

Segment 2: Giri

The story is set in a low-end locality inhabited by lower-middle-class families. Giridhar (Phani Acharya) works as a sales executive in an organization led by a grumpy boss. His foster mother (Sudha) is his only guardian. At 32, Giri is balding and is yet to get married. He is bogged down by a boring job, he has been made poorer by relentless traffic challans (he is a repeat offender), and is suffocated by low self-esteem. This is another segment where the ending sort of undoes the decent characterization. The ending might appeal to those who are frustrated with the overreach of the state (be it the government, or the local administration), but it can put off the majority of viewers.

Segment 3: Radha

The story is set in a middle-class locality where homemaker Radha (Bindu Madhavi) and her working husband (Ravindra Vijay) live in a congested house. The titular character, who is condemned to live in the same rundown house from morning to night, is alienated by her own surroundings. The theme of civic sense and basic etiquette that many Indians lack has been portrayed here. This is one segment where the sound design and the score had to be very good. And, to be fair, the technical quality is worthy of appreciation. A major turn-off is that the husband and wife talk like non-native speakers. The story should have been cut short by about 3-4 minutes. This is utterly boring for the most part, with the chemistry between the married couple looking artificial and the lifeless dialogue making it worse.

Segment 4: Ranga

The best story from the lot is set in the backdrop of a single-screen theatre in a small town. Tension grips Ranga (Venkatesh Maha), a die-hard fan of a big star hero, ahead of the release of a commercial entertainer named 'Blaster'. A benefit show fuels ego clashes, and bruised sentiments rule the roost. Pacha Bottu Seenu (Suhas), a local strongman, flashes his ego even as the benefit show's repeated postponements over the course of the night sends the theatre management into a tizzy. The restless fans, Ranga's helplessness and worry, the fading euphoria outside the theatre, the palpable tension ahead of the show - everything goes into making this story a perfect watch despite the disappointing ending.

Among the performers, Venkatesh Maha, Sudha, Phani Acharya and Suhas take the cake. The first of them is really good!

Verdict:

Writer-director Prabhala Tilak should have ensured proper closures. The stories offer escapist, impractical solutions although they get the world-building fairly well. Watch it with low expectations and you might like some sensibilities even if the stories might bore you over all.