Jul 10, 2026 10:00pm IST
‘Sing Geetham’ Review: This Musical Film Hits High Notes In Bits and Parts
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao’s experimental movie “Sing Geetham” is out on streaming. At 94, he has made a film where the story is narrated via song and melody. Which in itself is an act of bravery when most filmmakers prefer time-tested, familiar, formulaic premises and tropes.
Without much ado, one is introduced to Prathap (Ayaan). He heads to his father’s ancestral town, which is a remote mining hub. After encountering a number of oddball characters, he builds a bond with Gauri (Ahilya Bamroo) whose sole purpose is to save a tree which, a legacy left behind by her mother. After a curse of singing befalls the entire village, Ayaan and Gauri try to find a solution. The mission gets even more complicated as greed takes over the villagers.
“Sing Geetham” engages in parts. There are scenes that elevate the movie several notches but they are few and far between. The film is not made for children but the narration style is very appealing for kids. The mythical elements, like worship of Lord Kubera (the god of wealth) and his companion (the mongoose) add a sense of intrigue.
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Performance-wise, debutante Ahilya Bamroo stands out showing immense promise in a film that demands extra skills from its actors. She has a range of expressions and her eyes do the talking. Ayaan also pus in a decent performance. Shalini Kondepudi as Renu, does well as a daughter who will go to any extent to please her father who believes a female heir is a good-for-nothing proposition. Nigerian-Indian digital creator Agu Stanley Chiedozie surprises with his comic timing.
The first 20 minutes of “Sing Geetham” successfully establishes a fantastical world where love for gold overtakes everything else. Unlike films like “K.G.F,” where mining towns look like they belong to a dystopian society, this one seems to be a tad more relatable. For a musical-fantasy, the scale of the movie might seem rather contained, especially to Gen-Z viewers.
Cinematographer Ankur C does a good job given the limited setting. He has used natural light in all the emotional scenes that highlight love and compassion. Music composer Devi Sri Prasad’s “Emaindhi Emaindhi” is wonderfully sung and equally well picturized. It is one of the highlights of the movie. Sankalp Gora who is the editor also deserves compliments for holding together a film like “Sing Geetham.”
In this era of hyper-masculine movies, movies like “Sing Geetham” come like a breath of fresh air. Despite its limited run-time, it does a decent job of touching on topics like greed, human consumption, ecological conservation and how women are unfortunately deemed as harbingers of bad luck.
“Sing Geetham” deserves a watch for its unique narrative and the passion of a filmmaker who refuses to hang up his boots.
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