Skipping the Blockbuster: Why This Quiet Indie Film Stole Our Hearts
Whenever we see something created from the heart with sheer love and passion, it moves us. Today we watched a wonderful indie film that did exactly that. It made for a beautiful movie date but the real surprise came as the credits rolled: one of the lead actresses, Varahi Mallipamula — and her mother — the film’s producer, Sridevi garu – were right there in the theater with us.
This mother-daughter duo (and their team) have created Impure: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, a tender story that tackles important, often taboo topics in traditional Indian families with a gentle, relatable touch. While The Hindu (linked below) gave it a glowing review, we are not professional critics. We simply want to share why this film felt so special to us.
First, its relatability. The dialogue – mostly English, mixed with Telugu mirrors what we hear spoken in the households we visit. Yes, it may be seen as elitist to have a film primarily in English, but for the audience this project seeks to connect with, it is simple reality.
What stands out is the way that the story was told. We saw an evolution, a gaining of confidence of young people who are straddling the worlds of so-called traditional and so-called modern India and the Indian diaspora. We could relate to most of the places where the project was shot in Visakhapatnam.
The characters were believable. The climax was inspiring (especially Raja Kumari’s high energy song). And all of it was done with actors who we believe are showing up on the screen for the first time. Yashna Mithuluri, in the other major role of the film, showed talent that we’re sure will bring her back to our screens in other feature films.
The reason we are blogging about it is not simply because we got to meet the artist behind this cinematic experience, and its producer. This is an unusual experience of course. Usually the actress does not show up in your theatre immediately after the show. So there was that novelty factor.
It was the sincerity and the humanness of this young artist, that truly touched us.
When we asked her if she had been to film school, Varahi said, “Oh no, I went to engineering school just like any good Telugu girl ought to.” And that gave us a chuckle.
Apparently Varahi does stand-up comedy, was on the New York stage scene. And it’s been a dream of hers to make a film. And she went all in, took a risk. And her Mom – we applaud the Mom for supporting her daughter. Varahi would constantly bug her, wanting to make a film. And, the Mom refused for a long time. When we asked Sridevi garu what made her change her mind, she was like, “Well, finally, Varahi quit her job and said, I’m doing this or nothing else.” That do or die approach to realize your dream, is applaudable, as is the Mom’s support.
There were not too many people in the theater, whereas next door there was a blockbuster movie, and folks were standing in line for the theater doors to open. Yes, everyone has their own taste and is entitled to it. Still, it felt a little sad that more people did not appreciate this particular Telugu indie film.
There will inevitably be comparisons to films like Dollar Days or Hyderabad Blues and to female filmmakers in India, like Mira Nair and Nandini Reddy.
We wish Varahi the success that she so desires. In our mind though, Varahi and the entire team is already successful. They have given us a story, entertained us, made us laugh and feel the emotions of the protagonists. They did this all in a very professional way and that, however big (or small) the audience, is a true success. For that we congratulate them.
Where to Watch:
Tomorrow (that is Monday, October 19th), is the last showing at 5:30 p.m. in Hyderabad at the Punjagutta PVR cinema. We’re putting in that detail just in case you are interested in watching this movie. The team has plans to show the movie in the UK and the USA.
Link to the review in the newspaper, The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/impure-movie-review-a-sharp-social-satire-disguised-as-a-coming-of-age-tale/article71536756.ece
Link to the review in the newspaper, The New Indian Express: https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2026/Oct/03/varahi-mallipamula-comedy-makes-serious-issues-approachable-without-making-them-preachy
