Here is Good news for Atlanta’s movie buffs! Gem of a movie ‘Vanaja’ can now be relished by all those who missed viewing it when it was screened in Atlanta. And those who were fortunate to watch it on screen, can now re-enjoy it by watching its DVD version. Yes, this critical and film festival hit of 2007 is now available on DVD from Emerging Pictures Home Entertainment. It is a Must-See DVD for all interested in classical dancing.

‘’Vanaja’ has received a “Four Stars” rating by syndicated Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert. “Vanaja was, said Ebert, “One of the five best foreign language films of 2007.” He went on to praise the film as “…beautiful, extraordinary and heart-touching.” The New York Times called it an “…absolutely timeless tale.” The film opened in nearly 100 screens in major cities(including Atlanta) across the country and went on to win the 2007 Berlin Film Festival’s illustrious Jury Prize for Best First Feature; “Vanaja” became an official selection at 104 international film festivals in 49 countries(including the U.S.)and the recipient of more than twenty-four international filmawards,including nominations for two of this year’s Independent Spirit Awards: Best First Film and Best Cinematography.
A Columbia Film graduate,Rajnesh Domalpalli has directed his debut film“Vanaja” as his master’s thesis, shooting the film on location in his hometown in Andhra Pradesh, India.

The movie explores the difficulty of overcoming the class and caste barriers in India, especially in its rural areas. Feisty lower class girl,Vanaja,(Mamatha Bhukya) and her sister-like friend Lacchi(Bhavani Renukunta) go to the village folk-dance performance where they meet the elderly dancer Padma, who predicts that Vanaja will one day become a great dancer. Spunky but caring Vanaja looks after her widowed father Somayya(Ramachandriah Marikanti),who has piled up debts due to his drinking and smoking. Fortunately, Vanaja is able to charm her way into finding a job, into the household of village’s wealthy landlady,Rama Devi(Urmila Dammannagari),a widow. Rama Devi, a proficient musician and dancer is impressed with Vanaja’s hard work and begins teaching her singing and Kuchipudi dancing.Vanaja is an enthusiastic student, so she impresses everyone with her dancing prowess at the local concerts. One day Rama Devi’s only son Shekhar(Karan Singh) returns home after studies in the U S. Vanaja ,who is almost 16 years is attracted to handsome, muscular Shekhar. She also flirts with the local postman. Shekhar is an aspiring politician. At first, he tries to subdueVanaja and later he rapes her. Rama Devi is torn between her sympathy for Vanaja and her motherly concern for Shekhar. Vanaja delivers a baby boy. Being a lower class girl, Shekhar would never marry her, so Vanaja and her father unsuccessfully try to expose Shekhar. Rama Devi and Shekhar try to hush up the scandal but still Shekhar’s election prospects are ruined. The heart tugging movie ends on a bitter-sweet note.

The viewer will empathize with almost all the characters. They are believable and without any artifice.Vanaja’s heartwarming role will endear her to all. Slender and nimble, she excels in her effortless, breathtaking dancing to hypnotic live music. The tiffs between Vanaja and the old faithful cook and servant Radhamma (Krishnamma Gundimalla) are amusing. The movie has a sumptuous visual feast of rural scenes-fishing boats, village well, oxen, elephant; captivating landscape, and vivid colors of saris, and shimmering dancing costumes.  

It is astounding that Director Domalpalli ,cast the film without any professional actors and despite a low budget, came up with a huge winner.
DVD Special Features:
• Separate featurettes-Domalpalli introduces the film;Bhukya talks about her experiences during the shoot.
• A featurette of the unabridged dances from the film.
• Original theatrical trailer
• Never -before –seen shorts directed by Rajnesh. Four shorts lasting 48 minutes.
• In Telugu. With English subtitles. MPAA-Unrated. Color: Dolby 5.1
• Producer: Latha R Domalpalli
• Director: Rajnesh Domalpalli
• Cinematography: Milton Kam
• Music Directors: Bhaskara Narayanan and Indira Amperiani


Emerging Pictures was founded in 2002 to create a new theatrical distribution network for independent ,international and documentary films through the use of digital technology. Through its digital network of theatres, it brings first-run art house cinema to cities and communities that would otherwise not usually have access to such films. Vanaja is Emerging’s latest DVD title to be released by its Home Entertainment Division.