narendhar

Movie Name : Haiwaan
Release Date : 11 September, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Others
Director : Priyadarshan
Producers : Venkat K. Narayana (KVN),Shailaja Desai Fenn
Music Directors : Pritam Chakraborty
Cinematographer : Divakar Mani
Editor : Aiyappan Nair M.S.

Related Links : Trailer

Haiwaan marks the reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. Legendary director Priyadarshan directed this flick, and it is the official adaptation of the Malayalam film Oppam (2016). Despite several big names attached to the film, it created less excitement among the audience. Let’s see how the movie is.
Story:

Shyam (Saif Ali Khan) is a visually impaired man who works as a maintenance supervisor at an apartment complex. He shares a good bond with Pradhan (Boman Irani), a retired judge who lives in the same building. Under unexpected circumstances, Judge Pradhan is murdered, and the blame falls on Shyam. Who actually killed the judge? What risks does Shyam take to protect Pradhan’s daughter Nandini? What is Parashuram (Akshay Kumar), the killer’s connection with Pradhan? And why is Shyam determined to protect the little girl? That forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

Saif Ali Khan delivers a very mature performance as a visually impaired man. His screen presence stands out as one of the highlights of the film. Akshay Kumar surprises with his ruthless portrayal of the antagonist and a new look.

The second half moves at a faster pace compared to the first half. The cat-and-mouse game between the hero and the villain generates tension at times.

Some thrills suit the mood of the story and keep things moderately engaging. The hero’s efforts to protect the girl are effective. The star hero’s cameo in the climax is also appealing.

Minus Points:

Those who have already watched the Malayalam version or are familiar with the original story may not find much novelty here. Many scenes have been recreated almost exactly as they were in the original.

The film’s opening and first half move at a snail’s pace. The director takes his sweet time to establish Shyam’s character and introduce his backstory. Hence, Haiwaan offers very little in terms of engagement in the initial segments, causing boredom.

Some logical loopholes and the lengthy runtime can be tedious while watching the film. Crime thrillers should be crisp and avoid unnecessary elements. The songs are also unimpressive.

Technical Aspects:

Director Priyadarshan once again showcases his writing prowess. However, he misses his mark when it comes to the direction this time. A story like this deserved better treatment from him. Divakar Mani’s cinematography is good. Music by Preetham and Ralphie Raphael is disappointing. The editing needed more refinement.

Verdict:

On the whole, Haiwaan is a regular suspense crime thriller that falls short despite the Akshay Kumar-Saif Ali Khan-Priyadarshan combination. The basic premise and the performances are fine, but the routine remake format and slow-paced first half work against the film big time. Haiwaan has failed to generate interest among moviegoers, and hence, it will be tough for the film to survive at the box office.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Movie Name : Mahendragiri Varahi
Release Date : September 11, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Sumanth, Meenakshi Goswami, Aishwarya Rajesh, Siddu Jonnalagadda, Malvika Nair, Manju Bhargavi, Brahmanandam, Rajeev Kanakala, Vennela Kishore, Vamsee Chaganti, Kamal Kamaraju, Srinivas Vadlamani & others
Director : Santhosh Jagarlapudi
Producers : Madhu Kalipu, Laxman
Music Director : Anup Rubens
Cinematographer : Pratap R Krishna
Editor : Junaid Siddiqui

Related Links : Trailer

Sumanth has now come up with the mystery thriller Mahendragiri Varahi. The movie directed by Santhossh Jagarlapudi features Siddhu Jonnalagadda in a cameo. Let’s see how the film is

Story:

A curse by Goddess Varahi haunts the Mahendragiri dynasty, as all the men belonging to it die at the age of 33. The curse continues over generations, despite the dynasty’s efforts to please the goddess. Siddharth (Sumanth), a YouTuber from Hyderabad, gets connected to the problem and takes up the challenge of finding out the mystery behind the deaths.

Plus points:

The film starts on a good note, offering intrigue with the deaths. Siddhu Jonnalagadda shines in a key cameo. Despite the limited screentime, he makes his presence felt and lays a good foundation for what’s to come. The interval portion once again raises curiosity with an unexpected moment.

Sumanth is sincere as a YouTuber who exposes scams and fraudulent deeds committed by a few. From the moment he starts investigating the deaths of the Mahendragiri dynasty men, his role becomes more interesting.

The pre-climax and climax portions are neatly handled, giving the film a neat conclusion. The way the twists are written and their unpredictable nature are impressive. Vamsi Chaganti, Brahmanandam, and Vennela Kishore are good in supporting roles. Meenakshi Goswami is fine too.

Minus Points:

While the director did a good job designing the twists and giving the backstory an emotional touch, he missed out on a few logical aspects. The divine intervention happens only towards the end and not before that. One wonders why the divine intervention didn’t happen earlier despite so much chaos. There is no clarification offered about this and it comes across as convenient writing.

A mystery thriller like this needs to have good technical values, and Mahendragiri Varahi struggles to deliver on this front. The VFX is not up to the mark, and the use of AI makes the experience a bit irritating. The revelation of Aishwarya Rajesh’s role in the promotional assets reduces the impact on the big screen.

The middle portions could have been handled much better, and the film could have done away with a few scenes. The basic premise of Mahendragiri Varahi is along the lines of Murari, and viewers at times may be reminded of that film, though the path chosen is different.

Technical Aspects:

Background score by Anup Rubens is okay, while the cinematography by Pratap R Krishna is decent. The editing needed more precision.

Director Santhossh Jagarlapudi sticks to the plot without unnecessary deviations like romantic tracks and handles some portions neatly. However, he should have taken more care regarding the technical output and logic.

Verdict :

On the whole, Mahendragiri Varahi is a mystery thriller that has its moments. The beginning, interval, and climax portions are neatly handled, and the twists are written well. However, the film misses out on the logical aspect and technical finesse. The middle portions aren’t effective, making the film an okay watch.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Movie Name : Mandaadi
Release Date : September 10, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Soori, Suhas, Mahima Nambiar, Sathyaraj and Others
Director : Pugazhendhi Mathimaran
Producer : Elred Kumar
Music Director : G. V. Prakash Kumar
Cinematographer : S. R. Kathiir
Editor : Pradeep E. Ragav

Related Links : Trailer

Mandaadi is the latest Tamil drama to blend competitive sport with raw human emotion. Tamil actor Soori and Telugu actor Suhas play the primary roles in this film, which released in cinemas today. Here is an overview of how this coastal rivalry fares on the big screen.

Story:

Twenty years ago, Muthukaali (Soori) and Sattapuli (Suhas) from Kalingapatnam were thick friends and skilled traditional boat sailors. A bitter fallout shatters their bond, turning the companions into lifelong adversaries who dominate opposite sides of the village. The core narrative traces why Muthukaali abandoned the sport, the roots of Sattapuli’s local hegemony, and the high-stakes boat race that forces them to clash again.

Plus Points:

Tamil cinema explores yet another rural drama grounded in gritty realism. The lives of traditional seafaring communities and their rugged lifestyle are depicted with refreshing authenticity. Furthermore, competitive boat sailing is a rare theme on the big screen, making the sports aspect an immediate asset.

Soori has been making bold acting choices lately, and accepting this nuanced script is easily among his finest decisions. His performance is admirably subtle, allowing heavy emotional restraint and quiet presence to carry the weight. His silence throughout several crucial stretches proves far more impactful than lengthy dialogues.

Suhas proves to be an equally compelling counterpart in an intense antagonist role. Stepping into a menacing gray character is a sharp addition to his versatile filmography. His commanding vocal delivery and fiery screen presence make Sattapuli a magnetic figure to watch.

The psychological friction and war of words between the leads generate solid dramatic tension. The narrative gathers steady momentum through a well-staged exposition, peaking with a gripping pre-interval stretch and an interesting climax. Backed by solid action choreography and an energetic musical score, supporting performances from Mahima Nambiar, Sathyaraj, and Ravindra Vijay anchor the narrative.

Minus Points:

Despite several strong technical and dramatic elements, the narrative falters noticeably during the middle act. While the first half moves with purpose, the second half succumbs to formulaic predictability. The scenes advance on familiar genre beats, gradually dampening the viewing momentum.

The hostility between Soori and Suhas is well-established, yet the writing fails to dig deep into their fractured emotional history. Exploring their lost camaraderie with more emotional depth in the later portions would have lent greater weight to the final showdown. Without that emotional resonance, some of the high-stakes drama feels superficial.

While the boat-racing sequences are neatly mounted, injecting a few more clever narrative twists would have made the competition far more electrifying. In addition, Sathyaraj’s character feels visibly underutilised despite his steady presence in a brief role. A tighter edit and richer secondary conflicts could have elevated these undercooked sequences.

Technical Aspects:

Director and writer Mathimaran Pugazhendhi takes a commendable creative swing with an unconventional sporting backdrop. He succeeds in staging the central rivalry, though his writing falters when sustaining intrigue across the latter half. A tighter, more inventive screenplay could have transformed a decent drama into an exceptional one.

The technical crew provides sturdy support to keep the coastal atmosphere vivid. GV Prakash Kumar’s background score infuses raw momentum into the aquatic action, while SR Kathir’s camera work captures the rugged seascape handsomely. Pradeep E. Ragav’s editing is largely functional despite a few lingering scenes, and the Telugu localisation team ensures seamless dubbing that retains the film’s regional flavour.

Verdict:

On the whole, Mandaadi works in parts, blending a traditional water sport with a clash of pride and ego. Committed performances from Soori and Suhas, energetic boat-racing episodes, and a thunderous score work in its favour. However, the film struggles to maintain the same impact throughout, with a predictable second half and uneven writing holding it back. Some stretches manage to engage, but the film never quite comes together as a consistently compelling watch. Go with expectations in check if you consider watching it.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Movie Name : Maremma
Release Date : September 10, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.25/5
Starring : Maadhav Bhupathiraju, Deepa Balu, Vikas Vasishta, Vinod Kumar, V.S. Rupa Lakshmi, Dayanand Reddy
Director : Manchala Nagaraj
Producer : Mayur Reddy Bandaru
Music Directors : Prashanth R. Vihari, Bipradeep Dutta
Cinematographer : Prasanth Ankireddy
Editor : Sai Babu Talari

Related Links : Trailer

Maremma marks the debut of Ravi Teja’s nephew Maadhav Bhupathiraju. The rural action drama directed by Manchala Nagaraj is now out in theatres. Let’s see how it is.

Story:

Set against the backdrop of Mahishapuram in Telangana, the film explores the local customs, traditions, and the way the villagers worship the deity Maremma. They sacrifice a sacred buffalo as an offering to the deity. Maari is one such sacred buffalo, raised by Karni (Maadhav Bhupathiraju) to be offered to Maremma. All hell breaks loose when Maari goes missing, sending shock waves among the villagers.

Plus points:

Songs depicting Telangana culture and traditions have come out well, and they are neatly picturized. The first half has a couple of moments that are nicely presented.

In his acting debut, actor Maadhav Bhupathiraju did a decent job. The writing doesn’t let him shine though. Female lead Deepa Balu looked convincing as a village belle, and her performance was satisfactory.

Minus Points:

To start things off in this section, Maremma struggles badly to convey what it intends to. It’s unclear what the director really wanted to tell the audience with the film. If his intention was to give a message about animal sacrifices, then the movie didn’t deliver in that regard.

The entire second half is about the hunt for the missing sacred buffalo, but the screenplay is bland and filled with dull moments. Nothing excites much, with the search operation lacking any thrills or emotions. Also, the connection from one scene to another is pretty weak.

Even the first half features some boring and repetitive scenes. The protagonist develops a bond with the animal, and he refuses to sacrifice it earlier in the film. Had this angle been explored with more depth, the movie could have been way better.

The entire antagonist track is poorly written. The witchcraft episodes really don’t make any impact. For the most part, the proceedings remain flat and boring, which is the biggest drawback.

Technical Aspects:

Prashanth Vihari and Bipradeep Dutta did a good job with their songs and background score. Prasanth Anikireddy’s visuals are fine, while the editing leaves a lot to be desired. Production values are okay.

Direction and writing by Manchala Nagaraj are lacklustre. There are hardly any moments that can make one invested in the film. Maremma lacks clarity both in its vision and execution.

Verdict:

On the whole, Maremma is a boring rural drama that lacks a clear sense of vision. The film remains dull and unexciting for most of its runtime, and there are hardly any memorable moments to talk about. Maadhav does a decent job in his debut, but the writing and execution make it a disappointing watch.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

Movie Name : Ramba Oorvasi Menaka
Release Date : September 04, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Allari Naresh, Surbhi, Naresh, Srinivas Reddy, Vennela Kishore, Raashi Singh, Vishnu Priya Bhimeneni, Prisha Singh, and Others
Director : Chandra Mohan Chintada
Producers : Razesh Danda, Prasad Nimmakayala
Music Director : A Chaitan Bharadwaj
Cinematographer : Raam Reddy P
Editor : Chota K Prasad

Related Links : Trailer

Allari Naresh’s latest comedy outing, Ramba Oorvasi Menaka, hit the big screens today. Starring Rashi Singh, Prisha Singh, and Vishnu Priya in the title roles, the film promises a dose of fun and laughter. But does the movie really deliver on its promise? Here is our review of the film.

Story:

Manthena Surya Narayana (Allari Naresh) is a careless young man with an unusual belief. He thinks he can become a hero if he unlocks a magical book that summons the celestial nymphs Ramba (Rashi Singh), Oorvasi (Prisha Singh), and Menaka (Vishnu Priya) to grant his wishes. However, his life takes a serious turn when his mother falls sick and gets admitted to the hospital. In the middle of this panic, a clueless Surya accidentally unlocks the book, and the three goddesses appear before him. What follows forms the main track of the story, as Surya gets caught up in a series of unexpected situations that take the narrative forward.

Plus Points:

Allari Naresh is back in a full-fledged comedy role and delivers what he does best. His combination scenes with senior actor VK Naresh, who plays CEO, work well and brings good fun. Senior Naresh trying to woo Ramba and his hilarious monologue with her are definitely standout moments that generate genuine laughs.

The leading ladies, Rashi Singh, Prisha Singh, and Vishnu Priya, look good on screen and carry their roles well. Instead of treating them casually, the director chose to present them with grace and a divine touch, which is a nice thought.

Vennela Kishore shines brightly as Lord Indra and offers great comic relief whenever he appears. Srinivasa Reddy also supports the lead actor well and brings a few lighthearted laughs.

Minus Points:

Starting with the story, it is quite routine and offers nothing new to Telugu cinema audiences. There are no surprise twists or engaging conflicts, making the narrative predictable for the most part. In a film like this, the real task is to keep viewers hooked with solid comedy and performances, but that is where it slips.

Several scenes try too hard to be funny and fail to land properly. The humour feels outdated, especially for today’s generation that enjoys natural, situational comedy. While the first half manages to do an okay job with a few light moments, the second half falls flat. The emotional and entertaining beats do not come together, leaving the latter part pale and dragged out.

The logic goes missing in the second half, and the narrative flow takes a beating. While senior actor Naresh brings some fun, his character had much more scope to deliver bigger laughs if handled better. Tarak Ponnappa’s role leaves no impact, and he definitely needs to rethink the kind of characters he picks.

Surbhi Puranik gets a tiny role that offers nothing, and to be honest, her character is completely unnecessary to the plot. Moviegoers today prefer organic humour, and it is high time filmmakers move away from tired spoofs.

Technical Aspects:

Director Chandra Mohan Chintada might have believed this concept would work, but the execution pulls it down. The predictable storyline, weak conflict, and flat comedy scenes drag the overall momentum. A much tighter script with fresh humour would have done wonders for the subject.

Technically, the camera work, music, and editing are just adequate, as the weak script leaves little room for them to stand out. A few scenes in the second half definitely needed a sharper trim at the editing table. On the bright side, the production values are decent and match the scale of the film.

Verdict:

On the whole, Ramba Oorvasi Menaka turns out to be a routine fantasy comedy that offers very little freshness. Allari Naresh, VK Naresh, and Vennela Kishore try their best to keep the energy alive, while the three female leads look graceful on screen. However, predictable writing, flat humor, unnecessary characters, and a sluggish second half completely derail the narrative. With only a few scattered laughs to show for its runtime, the film firmly settles as an underwhelming watch.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Movie Name : Mirzapur The Movie
Release Date : September 04, 2026

123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5

Starring : Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyendu Sharma, Abhishek Banerjee, Ravi Kishan And others
Director : Gurmmeet Singh
Producers : Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar
Music Director : John Stewart Eduri
Cinematographer : Sanjay Kapoor
Editor : Manan Ashwin Mehta

Related Links : Trailer

The highly successful Mirzapur web series has now been made into a film titled Mirzapur: The Movie. Amidst solid hype, the gangster action drama hit the big screens today. Let’s see how the movie is.

Story:

Mirzapur: The Movie explores power politics and betrayals. Akhandanand Tripathi, a.k.a. Kaleen Bhaiyya (Pankaj Tripathi), is the King of Mirzapur. He doesn’t believe in his son, Phoolchand Tripathi, a.k.a. Munna Bhaiyya (Divyenndu), and hence places the responsibility on brothers, Guddu Pandit (Ali Fazal) and Bablu Pandit (Jitendra Kumar), to look after his empire. Hence, Munna Bhaiyya doesn’t like Guddu and Bablu, but a common enemy, Babban Yadav (Ravi Kishan), a Jaisalmer-based businessman, unites them to protect their kingdom.

Plus Points:

Mirzapur is not just another series. The show enjoys a mammoth following from North to South. When Mirzapur: The Movie was announced, it not only intrigued the fans but also took the general audience by surprise as to what it would have in store. For those wondering if Mirzapur: The Movie is worth watching, don’t have any second thoughts and get your tickets booked. The feature film is a fine upgrade from the OTT space with enough fireworks.

The big-screen translation has been seamlessly done. The essence of the series is neatly retained, while the makers have also peppered the film with elements necessary for a big-screen experience. Dialogues and humor have always been the biggest strengths of the Mirzapur series, and the film delivers well in these aspects, making the conversations enjoyable. The pre-climax and climax portions will offer plenty of goosebumps.

The face-off scenes are brilliantly designed, and the action sequences will make the masses go gaga. The battle for the Mirzapur throne, betrayals, and emotions have been neatly balanced. The humor is sprinkled at regular intervals, taking the entertainment quotient a few notches higher. There are a couple of post-credit scenes, and the final one takes the impact to the next level, with humor infused throughout the sequence.

It is indeed an experiment to take a web show to the big screen, and the team has passed the job with distinction. Pankaj Tripathi delivers a solid performance as the King of Mirzapur. His restrained yet impactful performance makes us adore him. Ali Fazal flexes his muscles and stuns in the key action segments. Everyone’s favorite Munna Bhaiyya, played by Divyendu, does a phenomenal job. His attitude, swag, and strong language will bring the roof down.

Jitendra Kumar has replaced Vikrant Massey as Bablu Pandit, and he does a neat job. Ravi Kishan is menacing as the main antagonist. Sonal Chauhan provides the necessary glamor quotient. Abhishek Banerjee, Shaji Choudhary, Sheeba Chaddha, and Rasika Dugal are fine in their roles. Satendra Soni as Puncture Chandu provides some laughs.

Minus Points:

Initially, the movie begins on a slow note, and it takes some time for the film to find its rhythm. There are slow moments in the first half, and the editing team could have done a better job.

The biggest drawback of Mirzapur: The Movie is the limited scope and screen time for the female leads. Shriya Pilgaonkar, Shweta Tripathi, and Harshita Gaur are restricted to the background for the most part, and the writing team could have designed better characterizations for them, like those in the series.

Technical Aspects:

The Telugu dubbing quality is first-class. The voices that made the characters so special among fans have once again been used for the film. Songs are decent, while John Stewart Eduri’s background score is electrifying. Several moments are elevated by the score. Sanjay Kapoor’s cinematography is splendid, and he gives the film a cinematic feel with his lenses. The production values are stupendous, and the action choreography is elegant and stylish.

The editing needed some improvement. Coming to director Gurmeet Singh, he makes a good impact with Mirzapur: The Movie. The second half is more impactful than the first half. Episodes like the car race scene, Pankaj Tripathi’s gang confronting Ravi Kishan, and the post-credit scenes enrich the overall experience.

Verdict:

On the whole, Mirzapur: The Movie is an engrossing gangster action drama that successfully brings the beloved world of Mirzapur to the big screen. Strong performances from the lead cast, powerful dialogues, humor, intense face-offs, and a massy second half with theatrical moments make it a good watch. The initial portions are a bit slow, and the female leads deserved more screen time. However, given its crowd-pleasing moments and strong brand value, Mirzapur: The Movie is likely to work with the majority and emerge as a box-office winner.

123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Movie Name : I’m Game
Release Date : September 03, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Dulquer Salmaan, Kayadu Lohar, Mysskin, Antony Varghese and others
Director : Nahas Hidhayath
Producer : Dulquer Salmaan
Music Director : Jakes Bejoy
Cinematographer : Jimshi Khalid
Editor : Chaman Chakko

Related Links : Trailer

I’m Game is the latest Malayalam movie that hit the big screens today. Dulquer Salmaan has joined hands with RDX-fame director Nahas Hidhayath for this action thriller. Amid decent buzz, the film is out now, and here’s the review to find out how it fares.

Story:

Dan John (Dulquer Salmaan) is a compulsive gambler who loses everything and ends up drowning in debt. Refusing to back down, he turns to cricket betting, only to lose whatever little he has left. Frustrated and desperate to recover his money, Dan creates a massive ruckus, an act that ultimately leaves his life hanging by a thread.

Following the incident, he slips into a coma. When he eventually wakes up, everyone assumes he has returned to normal, but Dan soon discovers that something bizarre has happened to him. What exactly happened to Dan? What is this strange phenomenon he has encountered, and how does he deal with the chaos that follows? The rest of the story reveals the answers.

Plus Points:

Dulquer Salmaan is well known for picking movies with fresh and interesting ideas. He has good taste in stories, and I’m Game is another honest try in that direction. The main plot feels new and makes people curious right from the start. That freshness is one of the biggest strengths of the movie.

Dulquer gives a very good performance, and there is almost nothing to complain about his acting. He puts in a lot of hard work, especially during the interval scene, which looks great on screen. The unusual story also gives him enough room to show different emotions and shades of his character.

Kayadu Lohar looks good on screen, and her scenes with Dulquer work well enough. Mysskin does a decent job as the villain, and Samyuktha Vishwanath leaves a good mark despite her small role. Antony Varghese enters in the second half and delivers a solid, emotional performance that helps the movie.

The background music, camera work, and fast editing in the fight scenes make the film look clean and stylish. All the technical departments come together nicely to give the movie a grand, commercial look.

Minus Points:

The story idea is fresh, but the way it is told on screen is quite normal. The first half sets up the plot nicely and brings in a big twist, which creates high hopes for the rest of the film. However, the second half slowly loses its grip because many scenes feel repeated and the story becomes easy to guess.

The action scenes are fun at the beginning, but they soon feel boring because you always know what is going to happen next. The director and writer should have added more surprises here to keep the excitement alive. Also, the cricket betting angle has been seen in many movies before, and the film does not show anything truly new with that topic.

The lengthy runtime is another big problem for the film. A story like this does not need nearly three hours to finish. Cutting about twenty to thirty minutes would have made the film much faster and far more enjoyable to watch.

Mysskin does an okay job, but his character needed a stronger presence to feel scary. A younger and more stylish villain could have made the hero-villain clash much more intense. As it stands, his role does not leave the kind of punch you expect from a main bad guy.

Technical Aspects:

The director, Nahas Hidhayath, starts with an exciting story idea, but he struggles to turn it into a non-stop thrilling ride. He shows real talent in a few sequences, but he needed a firmer grip on the story during the second half. Better pacing would have kept the excitement high until the very end.

The editing by Chaman Chacko is good in parts, especially during the big action scenes. However, he should have cut down several slow and repeated scenes to make the movie flow better. A tighter edit would have kept the audience far more engaged.

The cinematography by Jimshi Khalid makes every frame look rich and colorful. Jakes Bejoy’s background music is easily one of the best parts of the movie, as it brings great energy to the fight scenes. The overall production values are high and give the film a proper big-screen look.

Verdict:

On the whole, I’m Game has an interesting plot, but the average storytelling pulls it down. Dulquer Salmaan and the technical team do their best to lift the film, but the slow second half and predictable scenes stop it from becoming a big hit. The movie works only in bits and pieces, so action fans who like fresh ideas can give it a try with low expectations.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Movie Name : Bethlehem Kudumba Unit
Release Date : September 04, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5
Starring : Nivin Pauly, Mamitha Baiju, Sangeeth Prathap, Suresh Krishna, Vinay Forrt and Others
Director : Girish A. D.
Producers : Dileesh Pothan, Fahadh Faasil, Syam Pushkaran
Music Director : Vishnu Vijay
Cinematographer : Ajmal Sabu
Editor : Akash Joseph Varghese

Related Links : Trailer

Malayalam blockbuster Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has now arrived in theatres in Telugu. The rom-com starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju in the lead roles is directed by Girish AD. Let’s see how the film is.

Story:

Justin (Nivin Pauly) is a middle-aged man who runs a catering service and lives with his family. He is unmarried, and there is a strong reason behind it. A family moves into his neighborhood; among them is a college student, Ashley (Mamitha Baiju). Gradually she becomes friends with Justin, and after some time she falls in love with him. Justin initially resists, but he eventually accepts her feelings. The rest of the film follows how Justin and Ashley convince their families to allow a smooth marriage.

Plus Points:

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit is one of the finest rom-coms to come out of Malayalam cinema. In terms of fun, it is on par with Premalu. The entertainment quotient is maintained neatly until the end.

There are numerous rib-tickling sequences that will leave the audience in splits. The situational comedy produces several laugh-out-loud moments. The Telugu dubbing is smartly done and adds to the film’s impact.

The first half, in particular, contains some hilarious scenes that will tickle the funny bone. Most importantly, the comedy is wholesome, and full marks to Girish AD for delivering such clean entertainment.

Nivin Pauly is phenomenal as a middle-aged man, convincingly conveying his character’s inner turmoil. His scenes with Mamitha Baiju are a delight, and the pair share superb chemistry. Mamitha is excellent; roles like these are a walk in the park for her.

Sangeeth Prathap excels as Nivin Pauly’s younger brother, Joel, and effectively boosts the film’s comedy quotient. Roshan Shanavas steals the show in a few scenes as Glikson, while the rest of the supporting cast also delivers strong performances.

Minus Points:

Rather than limiting itself to being a fun entertainer, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit also attempts to add emotional depth. The intent is clear, though the execution could have been stronger.

There are a few instances in the second half where the pacing dips, and the climax feels slightly prolonged. Certain portions could have been trimmed.

Technical Aspects:

Vishnu Vijay’s music is euphonious, and the Telugu translation of the songs is decently done. Ajmal Sabu’s cinematography neatly captures the scenic locations of God’s Own Country. Editing works well in the first half, but the second half could have used some trimming.

Coming to director Girish AD, he has once again delivered a winner with this film after Premalu. The way he crafted the comedy sequences is splendid, and such rom-coms are the need of the hour amid the current wave of violent films.

Verdict:

On the whole, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit is an enjoyable rom-com with a good dose of comedy to keep the audience entertained. The comedy is infused at regular intervals, with many laugh-out-loud moments. Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju are stunning in their roles, and Girish AD has delivered yet another winner after Premalu. The film also attempts to achieve emotional depth with some prolonged moments towards the end, and this aspect could have been handled better. Nonetheless, this is a clean comedy-drama that can be watched with the entire family. Go for it.

123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team