narendhar

Movie Name : Sahaa
Release Date : September 4, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Shiva Kumar Kasaram, Swetha Lakshman
Director : Nishanth Doti
Producer : Teja Velpucharla
Music Director : Shekar Chandra
Cinematographer : Karunakar Kotteti
Editor : Dinesh Peddi

Related Links : Trailer

Directed by Nishanth Doti, Sahaa – Life of Sanju stars Shiva Kumar Kasaram and Swetha Lakshman in the lead roles. The movie garnered attention with the pre-release challenges made by the lead pair. The movie hit the big screens today, and let’s find out how it is.

Story:

Sanju (Shiva Kumar Kasaram) and Sahaa (Swetha Lakshman) are childhood sweethearts. Their love story becomes successful as they both get married. However, several dramatic developments take place in Sanju’s life. Meanwhile, Sahaa becomes pregnant. A few years later, where does Sanju’s life head? What happened between the couple? And how does that change Sanju’s life eventually? The film has the answers.

Plus points:

Sahaa revolves around love and memories spanning nearly four decades in a young man’s life, and the film manages to engage with some emotional moments and romantic elements. The way the story connects Sanju’s experiences while trying to recover from the pain of his past with the events in the present has been neatly handled.

The movie nicely depicts the mental state of a person who lives with the memories of the girl he loved deeply. The emotions that unfold along the way, along with a few family scenes, work well. Shiva Kumar Kasaram delivers a settled and effortless performance. His performance is particularly good in the climax. Swetha Lakshman is a major asset for the film. Her portrayal in the second half adds value to the movie.

Vrajana Pandya and other actors perform well within the scope of their roles. The main theme written by director Nishanth Doti is good. He also handled the emotional portions fairly well, particularly in the second half.

Minus Points:

Though the climax of Sahaa stands out, the story and narration are quite routine. In fact, the film has a strong central point, but the screenplay doesn’t do complete justice to it. While dealing with such a concept, the movie should ideally be driven by an engaging screenplay throughout, but that didn’t happen here.

The love track between the lead pair should have been built much more strongly. The initial half could have been handled more effectively, as it lays the foundation for the emotional moments in the latter half.

The pacing is slow in several moments, and the film would have benefited from stronger conflicts between the characters. That said, the director has elevated a few emotional moments.

Technical Aspects:

Director Nishant Doti does a decent job in a few portions as a director, but he doesn’t succeed as a writer. The screenplay he has penned doesn’t make the audience completely invested in the proceedings. The main theme chosen is good, though.

Sekhar Chandra is decent. The editing team could have trimmed the unnecessary portions to reduce the boredom factor. Karunakar’s cinematography is good, with some visuals presented both naturally and beautifully. Production values are adequate.

Verdict:

On the whole, Sahaa is an emotional drama that works only in parts. The emotional climax and a few moments featuring the lead pair came out well. However, the storytelling isn’t compelling enough to do justice to the film’s theme, and some routine moments work against the movie. Some elements in the film might connect to those in love.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Movie Name : Romanchakam
Release Date : Sep 03, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Sumanth Prabhas, Ananthika Sanilkumar, Upendra Limaye, Venkatesh Kakumanu, Narendra Ravi, Mani Aegurla, Sai Sohan and others
Director : Venu Gopal Reddy
Producer : Pranay Reddy Vanga
Music Director : Vasuki Vaibhav
Cinematographer : Vasuki Vaibhav
Editor : Venu Gopal Reddy

Related Links : Trailer

Romanchakam presented by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and featuring Sumanth Prabhas hit the big screens now. Let’s see how the movie is.

Story:

Anvesh (Sumanth Prabhas), who owns a startup, falls for Chennai girl Mythili (Ananthika Sanilkumar). When Mythili visits Hyderabad to meet Anvesh, it lands him and his friends in a huge mess. What happened to Mythili? Did Anvesh and his gang come out of the mess? This is what the movie is about.

Plus Points:

Romanchakam mostly falls in the Jathi Rathnalu zone, as it relies more on situational and silly comedy rather than a compelling plot. There are a decent number of fun moments that keep the entertainment quotient going.

Especially, the second half has a fair amount of fun-inducing episodes that will elicit laughs. The climax episode, in particular, is neatly designed, with confusion comedy taking center stage.

Sumanth Prabhas is convincing as a carefree youngster. He is at ease in the fun segments and shares neat chemistry with Ananthika Sanilkumar. The actress plays her part effectively and has good screen presence.

Venkatesh Kakamanu, Narendra Ravi, Mani Aegurla, and Sai Sohan did pretty well as hero’s friends, but it is Narendra Ravi who shines the most with his witty punches and frustrating expressions. Upendra Limaye evokes laughs with his presence. All the sequences featuring the friends gang came out very well.

Minus Points:

The first half has its ups and downs, with the film taking considerable time to find its footing. The song involving the friends could have been totally omitted for better impact.

There are instances where the film tries to explore themes like self-realization and the emotions in the love track. These aspects don’t click as intended, with fun dominating the proceedings.

Technical Aspects:

Vasuki Vaibhav’s music is very pleasant, and he does the heavy lifting when the film’s graph goes down. Pavan Pappula’s cinematography brings breezy vibes, with the songs being well-picturised.

Production values are good. Coming to director Venu Gopal Reddy, he did a decent job with the film. The movie works when the focus is on buddy comedy, but a few other portions could have been handled better. His editing is just okay.

Verdict:

On the whole, Romanchakam is a watchable fare with fun taking the centre stage. The comedy sequences involving Sumanth Prabhas and his friends’ gang are the film’s mainstay and drive the momentum forward. Leading lady Ananthika is impressive in her role. The first half has issues, and the film takes a slow start. Also, the emotional aspect could have been handled more effectively. Romanchakam works better as a comedy film centered around friendship, and if you are looking for time-pass entertainment, you can try this one.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Movie Name : Babita Singh Reporting
Streaming Date : August 28, 2026
Streaming Platform : Amazon Prime Video
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Nimisha Sajayan, Barun Sobti, Anshuman Pushkar, Rajesh Kumar, Sunita Rajwar, and others
Director : Ambiecka Pandit
Producers : Saurabh Malhotra, Manoj Mittra, Tina Tharwani
Music Directors : Ajay Jayanthi
Cinematographer : Sunil Ramakrishna Borkar
Editor : Tanya Chhabria

Related Links : Trailer

Babita Singh Reporting is the latest OTT release that has become a talking point ever since it landed on Amazon Prime Video. Directed by Ambiecka Pandit, the film mixes a murder mystery with family drama and has Nimisha Sajayan in the lead role. Read our detailed review to find out if the film lives up to the hype created.

Story :
Babita Singh(Nimisha Sajayan), aka Baby, is a sub-inspector working in the Madhya Pradesh police department. One fine day, Babita returns to her hometown to only find out that her childhood friend, Bansi, is no more. What initially looks like a personal tragedy slowly turns into a brutal murder. As the local police, husband, and in-laws offer little support, Baby begins her own investigation, and how she solves the case is the basic story of the film.

Plus Points :

Nimisha Sajayan is the biggest strength of the film. She plays Baby, who is vulnerable, confused, and determined, so well. Nimisha does not overplay the emotional moments and brings a natural quality to the character. The best part of her performance is the way she has put on weight for her character, and the emotions she generates as a woman who is handling in-laws, a non-supportive husband, and the system. Her act in the climax is just amazing

Barun Sobti has limited screen time but makes his presence count as Bansi. Anshuman Pushkar is effective as Sharad, Baby’s husband, while Sunita Rajwar is particularly good as the mother-in-law. Rajesh Sharma is dependable as SI Sethi and fits comfortably into the world of the film.

The most interesting aspect of Babita Singh Reporting is that the murder investigation is not treated as the only story. The film is equally interested in Baby’s life and the environment surrounding her. The film also deserves credit for not turning her into a typical heroic police officer. She makes mistakes, doubts herself, and has to fight several battles simultaneously. Her professional investigation slowly becomes a personal transformation.

Minus Points :

The familiar nature of the crime-procedural template prevents the film from becoming something truly special. Viewers who regularly watch OTT thrillers may figure out certain developments early. The second half also loses some momentum, with repetitive portions affecting the overall impact.

One of the biggest drawbacks of the film is the climax, which ends on a simple note. When everyone is expecting something big to be revealed about the murder case, things end on a dull note. Several doubts about the case still linger in the minds of the audience. The investigation is not overloaded with twists, and that does not work in favour of the last few minutes.

Technical Aspects :

The cinematography complements the mood, while the background score quietly supports the tension rather than dominating the proceedings. The screenplay moves at a controlled pace for most of the film, allowing the characters and relationships to develop naturally. The major technical drawback is the editing. At around two-and-a-half hours, the film feels longer than necessary. Several scenes could have been shortened or removed without affecting the main story.

Coming to the director Ambiecka Pandit, she keeps the presentation realistic and avoids unnecessary cinematic exaggeration. The film spends enough time establishing Baby’s personal world before fully diving into the murder mystery. The comments about her appearance, especially her weight, the attitude of her in-laws, and the lack of emotional support from her husband are handled well.

Verdict :

On the whole, Babita Singh Reporting is a grounded crime drama that relies more on its characters and performances than sensational twists. Nimisha Sajayan carries the film with a stunning performance, and those who love slow-burn thrillers can give this film a shot, which balances thrills and women’s empowerment.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Movie Name : Hi
Release Date : August 28, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.25/5
Starring : Nayanthara, Kavin, Bhagyaraj, Radhika Sarathkumar and Others
Director : Vishnu Edavan
Producers : Vignesh Shivan, Nayanthara, SS Lalit Kumar
Music Director : Jen Martin
Cinematographer : Rajesh Shukla
Editor : Philomin Raj

Related Links : Trailer

Hi is the latest Tamil film of Nayanthara, who has doubled up as the actress and producer. Kavin shares the screen with her in the film, which was released today in both Tamil and Telugu. Here is the review to know how it fares.

Story:

Subrahmanyam (Kavin), a gentle and timid young man from Rajahmundry, has faced rejection from girls at every stage of his life. When his parents arrange his marriage, he decides to run away from home. Meanwhile, Devasena (Nayanthara), a brave and determined woman from Bhimavaram, escapes from an arranged marriage she never wanted. Their paths cross in Hyderabad, and what unfolds between them forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

Nayanthara, following her outing in Toxic, appears in a familiar role and does her best to deliver what the film demands. Kavin, who is quite different from her in terms of his character, also puts in a decent performance.

The lead pair looks okay together, and a few of their scenes work to an extent. Apart from the lead actors, the late legend Bhagyaraj makes an impression in his limited screen time. A few comedy scenes work here and there, while the music remains one of the better aspects of the film.

Minus Points:

The rom-com offers nothing particularly new, as the story closely resembles several movies that audiences have seen before. Even with a predictable plot, the story could have been handled more effectively with better writing and execution.

The film loses steam in the second half. Although there are a few gags, the narrative feels stretched in several places. What could have been a better romantic drama falls short because of the weak writing.

Even veterans like Radhika Sarathkumar, Prabhu, and VTV Ganesh have no substantial roles and are largely underutilised. The runtime feels lengthy for a familiar story like this, making it another drawback.

Technical Aspects:

Vishnu Edavan fails to make Hi an engaging watch. He could have done a better job with his directorial debut. He could have handled the story more effectively with a more engaging screenplay. If the scenes involving the lead pair had been written and presented better, the film could have at least been a passable watch.

The cinematography by Rajesh Shukla and Leon Britto is just about adequate, while Jen Martin’s music is a satisfactory aspect. Editing by Philomin Raj needed sharper editing, as several scenes could have been cut to maintain a better pace. The production values are decent, and the Telugu dubbing is fine.

Verdict:

On the whole, Hi offers a very predictable and outdated romantic drama with decent performances from Nayanthara and Kavin. A few comedy scenes work, but the notable supporting actors are largely underutilised. The film fails to make the most of its genre and does not create the intended emotional impact. Overall, Hi is not a film to add to your watchlist, and you can look for better alternatives.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Movie Name : Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups

123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5

Starring : Yash, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, Huma Qureshi and Others
Director : Geetu Mohandas
Producers : Venkat K. Narayana and Yash
Music Directors : Ravi Basrur, Vishal Mishra, and Others
Cinematographer : Rajeev Ravi
Editor : Ujwal Kulkarni

Related Links : Trailer

Toxic marks Rocking Star Yash’s big-screen return after four years, following KGF 2. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film arrived amid massive expectations and strong advance bookings. Whether it lives up to the hype is what this review explores.

Story:

Set in Goa in 1947, Raya (Yash) continues to dominate the illegal trade alongside his sister Ganga (Nayanthara), working for Salvador. Salvador gets his daughter Rebecca (Tara Sutaria) married to Raya. However, Raya falls in love with Nadia (Kiara Advani), a circus performer, and has a child with her. Circumstances eventually force him to leave Nadia. Later, unexpected events unfold, bringing Raya face-to-face with his son, Ticket (Yash). What happens next forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

Expectations are naturally high for Toxic, given that it is Yash’s next film after a string of major successes. As expected, the team has created enormous hype around the movie, and that itself is a big win.

Coming to the film, Yash carries the same swag and style that he displayed in the KGF franchise. His screen presence remains strong, and his dialogue delivery follows a similar tone. However, his other role, Ticket, is different in terms of looks and performance. It is interesting to see Yash explore another side of his performance, and he pulls it off well.

Among the five female leads, Kiara Advani gets one of the more substantial roles to perform. Her eyes speak more than her words, and her scenes with Yash work better than most of the film’s emotional portions. She carries the character well.

Huma Qureshi is adequate in her role, though more could have been explored through her character. Nayanthara, too, delivers a restrained performance. Her character has depth, but the writing could have elevated her role further.

Minus Points:

The biggest problem with Toxic is its story and screenplay. The basic story is quite simple, which is not necessarily a problem by itself, but the makers stretch it across 194 minutes without providing enough narrative or emotional development to justify the runtime.

If a scene is going to be stretched, it should have a purpose, whether it is world-building, character development or emotional progression. Unfortunately, Toxic often prolongs scenes without achieving any of these. The first half spends considerable time on violence, intimacy and preachy dialogues, while the actual story barely moves forward. The second half fares no better, with several prolonged episodes that severely test the audience’s patience. In the process, the message and the twist Geetu Mohandas intends to convey get diluted – and eventually lose much of their impact.

The film is undoubtedly stylish, but its visual grandeur repeatedly comes at the expense of substance. At times, you can also spot parallels with a few major films. There are glimpses of interesting ideas, but they are not developed strongly enough to leave a lasting impact.

The star cast is huge, but only a handful of actors get meaningful material. Nayanthara once again delivers a restrained performance, and her character has depth, but she could have been utilized better. Rukmini Vasanth has very little to contribute, while Tara Sutaria also has limited scope. Sudheev Nair gets a role, but even his character could have been utilised better. The rest of the ensemble barely makes an impact. It feels like a waste of such a large and talented cast.

The dialogues sound preachy and unnecessary for much of the runtime. Instead of allowing the characters and situations to speak for themselves, the writing often spells things out.

The film is also packed with violence and intimacy, but their excessive use doesn’t always add value to the narrative. More importantly, the face-offs between Raya and Ticket fail to develop the emotional weight expected from a father-son conflict. Considering that Yash plays both characters, this relationship had the potential to become one of the film’s biggest strengths, but the writing never gives it enough depth.

Technical Aspects:

Geetu Mohandas attempts to tell a story on a massive canvas, and the ambition is clearly visible. However, the direction needed a firmer hand. The inclusion of excessive violence and several scenes that add little to the story ultimately hurt the film’s pacing and impact.

Music by Ravi Basrur and others feels like heavy metal being played right next to your head. The background score is excessively loud in several places, while the characters often seem to scream as though they are miles apart. The songs are also not particularly impressive. Rajeev Ravi’s cinematography is satisfactory and complements the film’s grand scale. The production design and visuals are among the film’s stronger aspects.

Ujwal Kulkarni’s editing is uneven. At certain places, the editing works well, while at others, the film desperately needed tighter cuts. The prolonged sequences contribute heavily to the feeling that the 194-minute runtime is far longer than necessary.

The production values are fine, and the makers clearly haven’t held back in terms of scale. The massive sets, lavish houses, action sequences and overall production design look rich and grand, reflecting the effort and money invested in the film. Unfortunately, the visual grandeur cannot compensate for the weaknesses in the writing.

Verdict:

On the whole, Toxic is not even the fairy tale for grown-ups it promises to be. Yash does his part and remains the film’s biggest strength, but the simple story is stretched far beyond what it can sustain. The emotional impact is diluted by excessive violence, intimate scenes and prolonged sequences, while the preachy dialogues become tiresome. Several characters and their arcs are underdeveloped, weakening the intended impact, and the father-son conflict never gains the emotional depth needed to make their relationship compelling. Toxic looks stylish and expensive, but beneath all the spectacle lies a screenplay too thin to justify its 194-minute runtime. Yash fans and a section of action-film lovers may find it appealing, but the rest can look for better alternatives.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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