When you watch certain films and come out, that will leave you with mixed feelings. You know there is something that is really good about it and at the same time, you know something didn't work out at all. But, with all the impact created towards the end, we believe in only the first part and appreciate the movie so much. Now, I want to talk about that good part in this film "Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum".
**In this article, I'm just interpreting scenes. Few of you may agree and few may not. Clearly, this is not to prove my intelligence. I just wanted to share my views by interpreting.**
First of all, let me tell you about all the known part of the film. So, basically, some portion of the film is adapted from Lord Krishna's story. That is, when Krishna was born, he was not brought up by his maternal parents. He grows at some other place without knowing who his parents were. After a point when he realises the story behind his biological parents, he comes back and takes revenge on his Uncle, Kamsa. Now, in KVJ, our protagonist was born in some other place and will be looked after by someone (Kota Srinivas Rao).
After a point, he gets to know about his parents death, he goes after his Uncle (Reddappa/Chakravarthy) and kills him. This part of the film is pretty clear and he consciously drew parallels from Bhagavatham. Now, let me tell you some other interesting things I've noticed in the film. Basically, in this film, Babu wants to quit stage dramas and leave to America.
That means, he basically wants to leave the drama on a smaller stage and enter the drama on a bigger stage (USA/World/Life). Though 'Jagannatakam' could mean something very bigger, let me confine that term and apply that to this movie. If we look into the content once again now, I can say, he will leave 'Natakam' and enter 'Jagannatakam'.
Now, why is it necessary for him to enter Jagannatakam? Why did Lord Krishna get back to kill Kamsa? The answer is simple. Peace. On a larger level. Where does peace lie? May be in knowing his past. May be in taking his revenge. May be in getting back to his roots. But, apart from all these may be's, there is one sure shot place where there is larger/universal peace. In relieving people from Kamsa. In relieving people from Reddappa. That is what Krish wanted to explore in this film. Did it come out with that impact? (Definitely, it didn't!)
So, I told you that, Babu leaves Natakam to enter Jagannatakam right? Now, let me give you another instance where this is justified. During the climax, when Babu performs the ultimate play, 'Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum', he takes up 'Narasimha Swamy' avatar towards the end of the song. Until then, he will be performing on the stage, and suddenly, he jumps into the crowd and reaches towards Reddappa/Chakravarthy. Or, let me put it this way, there also, he leaves a smaller stage and enters bigger stage.
See? That song alone is capable of defining the entire movie. If I may go a little philosophical, I can say that, entering bigger stage can only bring peace. Wait, no philosophy here. The last interesting frame in this film is this.
Here, when Babu is in Narasimha Swamy avatar, he will not finish the final act of killing Hiranyakasapa (Reddappa/Chakravarthy). After he reaches the antogonist, he gets into a fight. Now, after defeating him, he takes him to the village and throws him.
There lies one interesting aspect. He will not enter the village nor does he kill him in the exhibition. He just stands on the border of village and throws him. How did Narasimha Swamy kill Hiranyakasapa? Inside the home? Or outside? He kills him on the door step. That's exactly what he did here. He leaves Chakravarthy to death right at the door step of the village.
Okay, all in all, though the movie has so many flaws, there is one thought that demands our appreciation. That is, in Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum, Krish didn't want to tell us about the story that we all know. He wanted to talk about the philosophy behind the story. That is why, there is a dialogue in this film right before the song 'Jaruguthunnadi Jagannatam' starts. Babu says 'Thatha edo Bhagavatham rasadanukunnanu, kani Bathukulu rasadu'. That very thought of trying to talk about the Philosophy behind an Epic is what makes this film a decent attempt.
