Saw Today

[Madhu D]

Hello Rajnneesh,
Saw the film today along with my wife and my daughter who is learning Bharatnatyam. I'm at loss for words not knowing where to start to praise you, crtique the movie or revel in the sensation I felt. It is wonderful believe it or not I lived in villages in my childhood when my Dad was a Revenue Inspector in Government, I felt the breeze and the smells of the soil and the sea. Having lived in Vizag knowing so many fisher folk my, neighbours, you were so meticulous in portraying their every aspect including the loin cloth This is Oscar material I hope the bigwigs take note of you and wish we will see more of India through your brilliant brain and work.
After the movie I went to the Temple where we all Telegus and Indians meet. I could not help bragging what I saw. All of them want to see the film or the CD, get it out quickly please.
Let us stay in touch who knows God willing I could be made to produce such film with you on similar beautiful stories.
Madhu

[rajnesh]

Thank you. Unfortunately the film won't be up for the Academies.. nevertheless, it's wonderful to know that our team has reached thus far.

Regards,
Rajnesh Domalpalli

[Vamsi Parimi]

I feel now that I was fortunate enough to watch such a simplistic telugu movie with lot of sense gone in making it truely a masterpiece.
I appreciate the cinematography and direction. Special appreciation to Mamatha (ridiculously better than Sridevi) who potrayed (did she?) a country girl more than I could imagine. My only remark about the movie was its subtitles. Even though they were pretty good, telugu being my mother tongue I could tell that more time would have been gone in bringing up as much clarity,mood and life. I felt that a movie with such wonderness should have been more appealing and captivating for english viewers in terms of TRUE translation of moments/dialogues.

Mamatha's best moments are mine as well.

The best part of the film according to me was the script. The idea of a girl's reaction to her surroundings and her personality was pictured to perfection. Rather than seeing it as a childhood pregnancy issue related film. Even though most of the films tend to come up with extraordinary events or issues with melodrama attached, the normalcy/simplicity of Vanaja and giving importance to her own childhood choices and desperations that came out of her character were brought out nicely in the movie. I like the name VANAJA.

Its been a long time I had given 5/5 stars.(Am I watching too few movies?) Here is a movie worth 5/5. I hope you enjoyed more while making it.

For your upcoming project.....clap...ACTION!

Vamsi Parimi

[rajnesh]

Thank you Vamsi. Those are warm words indeed.

Subtitling is an extremely meticulous job, quite simply because we have to balance the time a viewer spends watching the scene - the landscape, the mise-en-scene and the actors expressions versus the need to understand what's being said. Taken to completion, it also must also consider the exact timing (down to a fraction of a second) when the meaning of what is said "breaks" in the mind of the viewer. Subtitles therefore will never achieve what a native speaker comprehends from the film.

VANAJA, by the way means the Water Lily (and also Wild at Heart). Vana+Ja (Forest+Born). I've written a small poem that will appear on the Opening Credits of the DVD that will explain what my intent was in choosing this name...

Regards,
Rajnesh Domalpalli

[Kadhambari Sridhar]

Hi

I have been wanting to watch the movie ever since it was released, but I finally got a chance to see it today. I was absolutely amazed. Excellent film from the perspective of being brought up in Andhra Pradesh and being a Kuchipudi dancer myself. I would love it if you could screen the movie in SUNY Stony Brook, read in your bios that you are an alumni of SB.

Please do contact the Dr. Sunita S. Mukhi, the Director of Asian Program at the Charles B. Wang Center. She screens many films every semester dealing with Asian themes. We got to see the Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray this semester.

Her number is 631 632 4400 and email wangcenter AT stonybrook.edu

Once again, absolutely amazing film, the story cast everything
I think Indian films need to start showing sensitive stories dealing with current realities instead of flashy glamourous songs and cast.

-Kadhambari Sridhar

[rajnesh]

Dear Sridhar,

Thank you for the information.
It will be our pleasure to followup with Dr. Mukhi.

Best Regards,
Rajnesh Domalpalli

[Trevorlawrence]

I saw the film expecting the depiction of an wretched girl who is crushed by society. This isn't what "Vanaja" shows us. The young woman is attractive, intelligent, and ambitious. She won't accept her fate with tears or simple resignation. She wants to succeed, and it's never clear that she won't succeed, despite the odds.

The acting that Mr. Domalpalli draws forth from his cast of amateurs is miraculous. Mamatha Bhukya is outstanding in the title role, and Urmila Dammannagari does an exceptional job as Mrs. Rama Devi, the wealthy landowner who is a formerly famous classical dancer.

[rajnesh]

Thank you for your kind words.

Regards,
Rajnesh Domalpalli

[Joshy Don Bosco]

Dear Rajnesh,
Congratulations to you for such a touching film.
I watched the movie in april 2008 at Kochi.Even after two years, I remember most part of the movie and that's why I searched it in the net.
You deserve great achievements, and people like me expect more from you.
Congrats to you, Mamta and other team crue.
Regards,
joshy Don Bosco

[rajnesh]

Dear Mr. Don Bosco,

Thank you very much.

Warm Regards,
Rajnesh Domalpalli