The irony about 'Aravindha Sametha' is that it has preached against factionalism at a time when factionalism is a thing of the past in Rayalaseema. Reviewing the film from a socio-economic perspective, columnist GR Maharshi says that the NTR-Trivikram movie only reminds people in the region, especially in particular villages, of forgotten wounds. The makers of the entertainer seem to have used a non-existent evil commercially.

What has caused the disappearance of factionalism? GR Maharshi attributes it to the growing business avenues. The dominant groups now have the opportunity to invest in a number of ventures, especially given their political networks. Earlier, when resources were scarce, there was a bloody competition for them.

And foot soldiers (those side characters we see in movies, working tirelessly for NTRs and Balakrishnas and Jagapathi Babus), who had no employment opportunities in the village, became henchmen or yes-men of these factional leaders. But in the new age, they are migrating to cities in search of greener pastures. A semi-globalized Indian economy is giving them jobs.

Economic growth has thus led to social change and has checkmated factionalism. One assumes this change happened over the last 15-20 years.