‘Impure’ movie review: A sharp social satire disguised as a coming-of-age tale
This review examines the Tenglish film 'Impure', highlighting its departure from traditional Telugu cinema tropes regarding women. The film is described as a sharp social satire that explores the complexities of modern urban life through the lens of three friends.
Why it matters
Highlights a shift in regional Indian cinema toward more nuanced, character-driven storytelling that challenges societal norms.
For an industry with such far-reaching influence, Telugu cinema has a relatively notorious track record when it comes to representing modern-day urban women in all their complexity. It is tempting to generalise that most films fail to get it right.
Impure , a Tenglish (a mix of English and Telugu) film marking Nishanti Evani’s feature debut, liberates its women from linearity and allows them to breathe. They are messy, frustrated, confused, lonely and lost all at once; they have desires and are finding their way through love and career.
The premise of two bickering cousins, Veera (Varahi Mallipamula) and Sandhya (Yashna Muthaluri), and their mutual male friend, Pranav (Sai Krishna), rediscovering themselves without falling prey to societal expectations is almost Jane Austen-esque. The film has the rebellious spirit of an Emma .
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