Patang, now available on Sun NXT, is one of those movies that you might chance upon without any hopes and actually enjoy for what it is. It’s a colorful, laid-back, and emotion-driven movie that doesn’t attempt to shout but instead hums in the background.
The plot follows the story of Arun and Whisky, who are childhood friends, and how their iron-clad friendship begins to wobble with the arrival of Aishwarya in their lives. What follows is a familiar yet genuine take on friendship, love, jealousy, and growing pains, all of which are woven together with kite flying as a metaphor. The movie is clearly attempting to convey the fact that relationships are as fragile as a kite that is held together by a piece of string.
The first half of the movie is where Patang truly succeeds. The friendship between the two male protagonists is natural and authentic, with plenty of banter and moments that will actually make you smile. There’s a lightness to the way the movie treats youth, friendship, and those confusing moments in life when no one actually knows what they want. The music is also well-integrated into the story, adding warmth without overpowering the scenes.
However, as soon as the movie progresses into the second half, the pace begins to slow down. Some of the emotional struggles tend to drag on for a bit too long, and the story tends to meander a bit. While the intentions are good, a more refined edit could have helped the story land with more impact. Aishwarya’s character, while feisty and pivotal to the story, tends to come across as a bit underdeveloped at times, veering wildly from one decision to another without quite enough substance to support it.
Of course, Patang never tends to become tiresome. It remains earthy, skips the melodrama, and keeps things simple – which is actually one of the things that makes it so likable. The kite-flying portions are a treat for the eyes and the soul, and help to give the movie its own unique stamp.
Final Word
Patang isn’t trying to reinvent Telugu cinema, and it doesn’t need to. It’s a pleasant, one-time watch that works best when viewed as a relaxed, feel-good drama rather than a hard-hitting love story. If you enjoy films about friendships tested by emotions — and you’re in the mood for something light — this one is worth adding to your watchlist.
Verdict: A gentle entertainer with heart, even if it doesn’t soar all the way high
Rating: 3/5
