Like That in Vaikunthapurram (2020)

Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo

Country of Origin: India

Primary Audio Language: Telugu, Malayala

Director: Trivikram Srinivas

Film Length: 2h 43m

Synopsis: After growing up suffering neglect and criticism from his father, a young man's world is turned upside down when he learns that he was switched at birth with a millionaire's son.

Star Rating: ★★★★★

Review: This follows a relatively simple story, which can almost completely be predicted within the first 10 minutes, about two very different men who were switched at birth. There is some entertaining, albeit cheesy, dialogue, and the soundtrack is full of some very good songs, but overall the movie is just dull, and I was disappointed. Although I’ve definitely seen worse movies in my life, both American-made and foreign films, but the almost 3-hour long run-time really drags to an almost unbearable length. I can’t say I recommend this to many people, although I’m sure there’s an audience for it out there somewhere.

When a millionaire’s son is apparently stillborn, a nurse swaps the baby with that of Valmiki, who is a lower-class clerk. The baby that originally belonged to Ramachandran, the millionaire, recovers, but Valmiki wants his biological son to have a wealthy life, so he never rectifies the switch, even though he is aware of it. This leads to a heartbreaking upbringing for Bantu, the main protagonist, who is raised by a man who knows he isn’t his, and thus never actually cares for him.

Of course the movie then follows Bantu’s discovery of the switch and his attempt to reconnect with his original family.

There is some drama and action throughout the film, it’s just simply too slow and everything, down to the romance thrown in the middle, is way too predictable. If it were edited a bit more crisp to be more fast paced, I might have enjoyed it more, but I’ve seen better Bollywood films.

Available On: Netflix

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