35 – Chinna Katha Kaadu The Nivetha Thomas-Priyadarshi starrer, which premiered theatrically in September, has been officially selected for screening at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
This heartwarming slice-of-life drama will be showcased under the prestigious Indian Panorama section during the festival, scheduled to take place in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2024.
35 – Chinna Katha Kaadu and Kalki 2898 AD Selected for IFFI 2024
35 – Chinna Katha Kaadu, written and directed by debutant Nanda Kishore Emani, delves into the heartfelt story of a homemaker (played by Nivetha Thomas) who faces tremendous challenges to help her elder son overcome academic struggles.
Presented by Rana Daggubati, this slice-of-life drama has earned a spot among the 20 films to be screened under the Indian Panorama section at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
Additionally, the highly anticipated Prabhas starrer Kalki 2898 AD will be showcased in the festival’s Mainstream Cinema section, adding a touch of cinematic grandeur.
The 55th edition of IFFI, held from November 20 to 28, 2024, in Goa, is organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with the State Government of Goa. This esteemed festival continues to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of Indian and global cinema.
35 – Chinna Katha Kaadu: A Heartfelt Telugu Drama Exploring Family, Education, and Resilience
35 – Chinna Katha Kaadu (transl. 35 – Not a Small Story) is a 2024 Indian Telugu-language drama film marking the directorial debut of Nanda Kishore Emani.
35 – Chinna Katha Kaadu: Official trailer
Featuring Nivetha Thomas, Priyadarshi Pulikonda, and Vishwadev Rachakonda in lead roles, the film delves into the life of a traditional Brahmin family in Tirupati, focusing on themes of education, family dynamics, and self-discovery.
Released on September 6, 2024, the film tells the story of Saraswati, a homemaker, and her husband Prasad, a TTD bus conductor, raising their two sons, Arun and Varun, in a middle-class household.
The narrative follows Arun, a curious and inquisitive boy, who struggles with mathematics and faces societal and familial expectations after being labeled a “failure.”
When a strict yet well-meaning math teacher, Chanakya Varma, challenges Arun to score 35 marks (the passing grade) in his annual exam, it sets off a chain of events that tests the family’s resilience, friendships, and unity.
At its core, the film examines the idea of finding value where it’s least expected—just like the seemingly valueless zero that holds the power to transform.
This poignant drama is as much about Arun’s journey as it is about the relationships and challenges that define his family and community, embodying its tagline: Chinna Katha Kadhu (It’s not a small story).
