Telugu Movie Reviews

Anumana Pakshi

Review: Anumana Pakshi – A Tedious Watch

by narendhar

Anumana Pakshi

Movie Name : Anumana Pakshi

Release Date : September 25, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2/5
Starring : Rag Mayur, Merin Philip, Prince Cecil, Charith, Brahmaji, Raasi, Ajay, Mast Ali and Others
Director : Vimal Krishna
Producers : Rajiv Chilaka, Meghha Chilakka, Sneha Rajesh Jagtiani, Vihaan Dand
Music Director : Sricharan Pakala
Cinematographer : Sunil Kumar Nama
Editor : Chota K Prasad

Related Links : Trailer

After DJ Tillu, Vimal Krishna returns with Anumana Pakshi, with Rag Mayur in the lead. The film hit screens today, and here is our review.

Story:

Sunny (Rag Mayur) is a Vizag-based overthinker who is suspicious of almost everything. He runs a channel called Anumana Pakshi. When his friend Ananth (Charith Betha) calls from Kashmir and threatens suicide, Sunny travels there with his friends and meets Kanya Kumari (Merin Philip). Later, his friend Varma (Prince Cecil) dies under suspicious circumstances, making Sunny suspect that he could be responsible. This eventually leads him to cross paths with the police officer P Vasu (Ajay), and the rest of the story follows.

Plus Points:

Rag Mayur tries to bring some laughs as Sunny, and a few comedy moments work. But they are too few to make much of a difference.

The film is less than two hours long, which is a relief. Given the content, a longer runtime would have made the experience even more difficult.

Minus Points:

The “From the director of DJ Tillu” tag creates expectations, but Anumana Pakshi offers very little in return. Right from the beginning, the film struggles to engage, and the content keeps testing the audience’s patience.

The first question that comes to mind is what made Rag Mayur accept this script. Sunny’s overthinking and suspicious nature could have been used well for comedy, but the writing does very little with the idea. The other characters are also written strangely, making it difficult to connect with anyone.

The scenes feel randomly stitched together, with one situation leading to another without a proper flow. The film tries to be quirky, but the writing never controls that quirkiness. As a result, the situations feel random rather than funny or interesting. The comedy rarely works, and there are very very few moments that genuinely make you laugh.

The heroine’s character has very little to do, while her screen presence is also limited. Rashi, Ajay, Brahmaji, and the other actors fail to make much of an impression because their characters offer very little to work with.

Technical Aspects:

Vimal Krishna fails to deliver even a single stretch that genuinely works. The writing is weak, and the execution doesn’t give the actors enough to work with. It is difficult to believe this is the same director who made DJ Tillu.

Sunil Kumar Nama’s cinematography is just okay. Sricharan Pakala’s music helps understand the tone of the scenes, making it clear whether a particular scene is meant to be comedy, romance, or drama. Chota K Prasad’s editing is so-so, while the production values are adequate.

Verdict:

On the whole, Anumana Pakshi is a tedious watch from start to finish. The less-than-two-hour runtime is the only real relief, while Rag Mayur manages a very few laughs in an otherwise poorly written film. The scenes lack a proper flow, the comedy rarely lands, and the characters fail to make an impression. The film tries to be quirky, but the writing makes it feel random and tiresome instead. Coming from the director of DJ Tillu, this is a disappointing outing. Unlike Sunny, who is suspicious of everything around him, you can skip Anumana Pakshi without a second thought.

123telugu.com Rating: 2/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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The Paradise

Review: Nani’s The Paradise – Grand Canvas, Little Impact

by narendhar

The Paradise

Movie Name : The Paradise

Release Date : September 24, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Nani, Mohan Babu, Kayadu Lohar, Raghav Juyal,Sampoornesh Babu, Sonali Kulkarni and Others
Director : Srikanth Odela
Producer : Sudhakar Cherukuri
Music Director : Anirudh Ravichander
Cinematographer : Ch Sai
Editor : Navin Nooli

Related Links : Trailer

Natural Star Nani’s The Paradise directed by Srikanth Odela created massive pre-release buzz, and amidst huge fan frenzy it has now hit the big screens. Let’s see how the movie is.

Story:

The Paradise revolves around an oppressed tribe called Savaari. Even after India attaining independence, they continue to live without an identity in the country under the ruthless monarch Shikanja Malik (Mohan Babu). How Jadal (Nani) rises against Shikanja Malik and fights to bring an identity to his people forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

One of the main highlights of The Paradise is its well-designed action episodes. The makers have gone all out without compromising on the budget, and the efforts are clearly visible in this aspect.

The film opens well with a disturbing sequence around the protagonist’s birth, and it sets the tone nicely for what’s to come. The movie works occasionally in the first half, with the cafe fight and interval portions standing out.

Nani has been effectively portraying mass roles in his recent outings, and with The Paradise, he once again delivers a sincere performance. The actor underwent a physical transformation for the character and did pretty well in the demanding fight sequences. Aaya Sher and Yeshanagula provide some respite.

Minus Points:

The biggest gripe about The Paradise is undoubtedly Srikanth Odela. Not only did he opt for an age-old template, but he also added nothing exciting to the screenplay to make the goings-on interesting. Audiences have started looking past routine stories when the presentation is good. But when that element doesn’t work fully, it’s tough to hold the attention throughout.

After a while, one will start wondering if the director has any ideas up his sleeve apart from the bloodbath and massacres to keep the proceedings going. Apart from Nani, no other character registers strongly. Even Sonali Kulkarni’s role loses its impact after a point.

The Paradise follows a chapter-wise narration, but by the time the movie concludes, one can barely remember them. There is a resemblance to many popular mass films, but The Paradise struggles to recreate their magic. The references to a famous Telangana political leader might draw whistles in Telangana, but the rest might not relate to them much.

The second half, in particular, is mostly boring without any high moments. The climax face-off should have been between Nani and Mohan Babu, but instead, we get to see a routine showdown involving cops. The heroine track is absurdly written, and it will surely raise eyebrows. Mohan Babu gets very little to do, while Sampoornesh Babu and Raghav Juyal are completely wasted.

Technical Aspects:

Anirudh’s songs work, but when it comes to the background score, he too can’t do much with the lack of support from the writing department. The sound mixing is bad, and the dialogues at times are not audible. The editing is abrupt, lacking seamless transitions from scene to scene. Even before we could feel anything, the next scene jumps in. Some scenes make us feel that the post-production was rushed.

Cinematography by CH Sai is solid, while the production values are excellent. Efforts are put in to make a larger-than-life film, but similar endeavours were needed regarding the story and screenplay. When the first glimpse dropped, many expected Srikanth Odela to deliver a hard-hitting film, but his work is certainly below par.

Verdict:

On the whole, The Paradise is a routine mass action drama with the fight blocks coming out well. Nani’s sincere performance, the pre-interval to interval stretch, and the chartbuster songs work, but the rest isn’t anywhere near what the team promised. The template storyline has been told in an underwhelming manner. Expectations were massive for Srikanth Odela, but he didn’t meet them with this one. Hence, the film ends up being a below average watch.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Immortal – A promising concept with a flawed treatment

by narendhar

Movie Name : ​Immortal

Release Date : September 19, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : GV Prakash Kumar, Kayadu Lohar, TM Karthik, Kumar Natarajan, Lollu Sabha Maaran, Aaditya Kathir, Arshu Maharjan, Pema Tsamchoe, Sunita Shrestha & Others
Director : Mariyappan Chinna
Producer : Arun Kumar Dhanasekaran
Music Director : Sam CS
Cinematographer : Arun Radhakrishnan
Editor : Rajesh Mahalakshmi

Related Links : Trailer

GV Prakash Kumar’s latest horror-fantasy thriller, Immortal, recently hit theatres in Tamil and has now arrived before the Telugu audience. Directed by newcomer Mariyappan Chinna, the film aims to blend folklore-driven fantasy elements with apartment horror. Let’s see how it fares.

Story:

Mahi (GV Prakash Kumar) works as a designer in his uncle’s printing press. Unable to bear his landlord’s daily harassment, he decides to pack up and find a new place to stay. As he searches for a room that fits his modest salary, he receives an unexpected call from Sindhu (Kayadu Lohar), who offers him a room on a flat-sharing basis.

Excited by the offer, Mahi moves into her spacious flat and falls for Sindhu almost instantly. She acts friendly and welcoming, drawing him in deeper. Following a string of eerie incidents, Mahi discovers a terrifying secret about who Sindhu really is. Who is Sindhu? Why does Mahi tremble in fear after uncovering her reality? How does he try to escape from her clutches, and what connects this ordeal to a wild beast born into a tribal clan a thousand years ago? That forms the rest of the plot.

Plus Points:

The core idea behind Immortal holds promise. Bringing an ancient wild creature’s myth into a contemporary urban setting gives the film an unusual flavor. Mahi’s character, an ordinary young man driven by innocence and simple hopes, who suddenly has to run for his life, keeps the conflict relatable in the earlier stretches.

The dynamic between Sindhu and Mahi carries decent intrigue during the first hour. The romantic buildup, with Mahi falling into her trap while completely charmed by her presence, is handled neatly. GV Prakash Kumar puts in a natural performance, handling the fear and vulnerability with ease. Kayadu Lohar looks striking and brings a convincing edge to her mysterious role. TM Karthik delivers solid support in an important part, while Kumar Natarajan and Aaditya Kathir play their roles adequately.

Minus Points:

Even when a story is pure fiction, it needs an internal logic to make the audience suspend disbelief. Director Mariyappan Chinna struggles on that front. The supernatural illusionary world built around the female lead often feels random and lacks convincing rules. Ghost and monster concepts aren’t new to Telugu moviegoers, so a fantasy script like this demands tighter reasoning.

The horror elements also rely heavily on routine jump scares rather than building genuine tension. Although the director attempts to raise the stakes in the second half, the narrative slows down considerably. The scenes feel repetitive, logic takes a backseat, and the pacing dips into boring stretches that dilute the film’s initial momentum. As a result, the story never fully capitalizes on its original spark.

Technical Aspects:

The concept of the ancient mythical beast is creative, but the writing fails to give it a gripping flow on screen. Sam CS’s background score is decent and backs the mood whenever the tension peaks.

Arun Radhakrishnan’s cinematography stands out, framing both the natural visuals and the apartment setup with good atmosphere. The editing is passable, though trimming some scenes in the second half would’ve helped the pacing. Production values from Arunkumar Dhanasekaran are respectable throughout.

Verdict:

Immortal is a fantasy horror thriller that works only in bits and pieces. The fresh core concept, neat visuals, and capable lead performances keep you curious early on. However, a slow-moving second half, lack of logic, and formulaic scare tactics pull the movie down. If you enjoy folklore-tinged supernatural films and keep your expectations in check, you might find a few moments to appreciate.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Missing Meghana – A routine crime thriller with little to offer

by narendhar

Movie Name : Missing Meghana

Release Date : September 18, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Ram Karthik, Ammu Abhirami, Vaidika Senjaliya, Ankith Koyya
Director : Jonnalagadda Vachaspati
Producers : Panchumarthi Naresh Babu
Music Director : R R Dhruvan
Cinematographer : Sam K Naidu
Editor : Basawa

Related Links : Trailer

Missing Meghana is a Telugu crime mystery thriller that hit the big screens today. Starring Ratsasan fame Ammu Abhirami in the lead role, the film revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a young woman. Here’s our review.

Story:

Meghana (Ammu Abhirami), a young woman who runs a bakery in Vizag, suddenly goes missing. The investigation that follows uncovers interesting details about her relationships, friends and enemies. Whether she is alive, why she went missing and whether she was kidnapped drive the story forward.

Plus Points:

Thrillers based on kidnappings are nothing new, but Missing Meghana sets up the story reasonably well in the initial portions. The investigation moves at a brisk pace in the first half, keeping the proceedings interesting and leaving little room for boredom.

Ammu Abhirami does her part well, while Goparaju Ramana delivers a neat performance as her father. RP Kaushik, who plays the investigation officer, puts in an adequate performance, while Ankith Koyya, as the heroine’s friend, is okay. Ram Karthik is also fine, and his scenes with Ammu in the second half bring some lighter moments and provide a break from the tense atmosphere.

Minus Points:

As mentioned, the basic theme is not new, so the film’s success depends largely on its execution. While the director handles the first half reasonably well despite a few flaws, the second half becomes prolonged. At certain points, the conversations and situations feel more like scenes from early-2010s romantic short films than a crime thriller.

The identity of the villain is also not difficult to figure out. A character close to the heroine suddenly going missing makes the mystery fairly easy to crack. There are also a few logical loopholes that are hard to overlook.

For instance, in today’s digital age, identifying a person’s name using a mobile number should not be presented as such a difficult task. Similarly, the hero’s claim that the heroine’s voice matches that of his ex-girlfriend does not quite work, especially when he fails to recognise the same voice when he meets her in person. These are some silly logical misses that are hard to ignore.

The musical score is another drawback. A thriller’s music should help build tension, but here it often gives the proceedings the feel of an older film. The movie could also have benefited from trimming some of the songs. The climax is also predictable and can be figured out well before it arrives, with the logical loopholes making the outcome even easier to anticipate.

Technical Aspects:

Writer-director Vachaspathy Jonnalagadda appears to have had an interesting idea on paper, but the execution falters, particularly in the second half. The prolonged sequences create a noticeable lag, and the screenplay fails to maintain a strong hook as the story progresses. Some scenes could have been developed better to keep the audience engaged.

R. R. Dhruvan’s music does not add enough tension to the proceedings. Sam K. Naidu’s cinematography is adequate, while the editing by Baswa Reddy could have been sharper, especially in the second half. The production values are satisfactory.

Verdict:

On the whole, Missing Meghana is a crime mystery thriller that offers little that is new. The film works in parts during the first half, but the second half loses momentum with prolonged scenes, predictable turns and logical loopholes. Ammu Abhirami is good in her role, while the supporting performances are adequate. It is best to look for better options this weekend.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Happy Journey – A Bumpy Ride With Few Fun Moments

by narendhar

Movie Name : Happy Journey

Release Date : Sep 18, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Vamshidhar Goud, Payal Radhakrishna, Ravi Siva Teja, Sunaina Badam, Annapurnamma, Aamani and Others
Director : Abhiramm Naidu
Producer : Balaji Gutta
Music Director : Shekar Chandra
Cinematographer : Subramaniyan Manigandan
Editor : Chota K. Prasad

Related Links : Trailer

Happy Journey is a female-oriented film directed by Abhiramm Naidu. The film, starring Annapurnamma, Jhansi, Payal Radhakrishna, Aamani, and others, is now out in theatres. Let’s see how it is.

Story:

Multiple women from all walks of life: Savitri (Annapurnamma), Chamundeswari (Aamani), Nayana (Jinisha Alishetty), Srilatha (Jhansi), Tanvi (Payal Radhakrishna), Divya (Sunaina), and Vihaana (Roopa Srinivas), embark on a trip to Europe, which they win through a lucky draw. The trip is guided by Govind (Vamsi) and Apparao (Ravi Siva Teja), who run the travel agency Greatandhra Travels. What starts as a joyful vacation quickly turns into a journey of realizations and family reunions.

Plus Points:

Happy Journey has very good intentions, and the message that the director tries to convey, almost through the title, is something that has the ability to connect with a section of the audience.

Some fun moments spread across both halves work reasonably well. The conversations between Vamsi and the female leads bring a gentle smile to the faces, if not outright laughs. The climax twist is neat.

Veteran actress Annapurnamma brings her experience to the table, shining in a modern avatar, while she is ably supported by Aamani, Jhansi, Payal Radhakrishna, and Sunaina. Vamsi is hilarious with his comic timing, and he shares good chemistry with Ravi Siva Teja.

Minus Points:

Happy Journey doesn’t quite reach the level of excellence it aspires to because of its uneven screenplay, which results in a bumpy ride. The impact of the good moments is often undermined by some unnecessary scenes, preventing the film from maintaining a consistent flow. Some repetitive scenes could have been avoided.

The emotional depth that Happy Journey intends to achieve isn’t fully realized. The individual issues of the female leads should have been explored in greater detail, especially as the team was trying to deliver an emotional rollercoaster ride.

The balance between fun and emotions isn’t handled smoothly. The misunderstandings between the leads get resolved in a jiffy, giving the feeling that things were hurried in the final act. As a result, some moments come across as artificial, while a few scenes are preachy too.

Technical Aspects:

Except for one song that comes immediately after the halfway mark, the rest are neatly composed by Shekar Chandra. Visuals by Subramaniyan Manigandan are splendid, as the picturesque European locations are superbly captured. Editing is satisfactory. Production values are solid.

Hemant Dhome’s story is fine, but it needed a stronger screenplay. The transition between the fun and emotions should have been seamless. Abhiramm Naidu handled some comedy scenes well, but the narrative needed to be more cohesive.

Verdict:

On the whole, Happy Journey is an uneven ride, with some fun moments clicking well while some sequences are not up to the mark. The movie carries good intentions and has its share of entertaining stretches. But the inconsistent screenplay and the not-so-effective emotional payoffs hamper the overall impact. The performances of the leads are good, and the film manages to click in parts.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Pitapuramlo Ala Modalaindi – Bland and Boring

by narendhar

Movie Name : ​Pitapuramlo Ala Modalaindi

Release Date : September 18, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 1.5/5
Starring : Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Pridhvi Raj, Kedar Shankar and others
Director : Mahesh Chandra
Producers : Dundigalla Balakrishna, Akula Suresh Patel, F.M. Murali (Godari Kittayya)
Music Director : G C Krish (Chinni Krishna)
Cinematographer : Sam K Naidu
Editor : B. Satyanarayana

Related Links : Trailer

Director Mahesh Chandraa, known for his hit film Preyasi Raave with Srikanth, returns to direction after a long break. His new release, Pitapuramlo Ala Modalaindi, hit the big screens today. Let us see how the movie turns out in our review.

Story:

Village head Veera Raghava (Rajendra Prasad), strict teacher Vishwanatham (Kedar Shankar), and rich, careless Bangarayya (Prithviraj) are close friends. Their daughters also grew up together and completed their 10th class as best friends. The three girls then joined a college in Pithapuram, where their lives took an unexpected turn. What challenges they faced and how their journey ended formed the rest of the story.

Plus Points:

The director’s core idea to show how parents handle their teenage kids is well-intended. He sets up three contrasting households where one father is overly lenient, another is too strict, and the third strictly pushes family traditions. Exploring these three different mentalities in the same village setup works on paper. Rajendra Prasad handles a very few emotional scenes neatly, and the final message before the end credits is somewhat okay.

Minus Points:

The story is extremely outdated, yet the makers try to sell it as a present-day drama. Even if you overlook the preachy, age-old plot, the execution feels decades behind today’s cinema. The scenes are dragged out endlessly, and there is barely any engaging moment from start to finish.

It is painful to watch a seasoned actor like Rajendra Prasad stuck in an over-the-top, loud character. Kedar Shankar gets a half-baked role, and most veteran actors look clueless with the stale material given to them. The performances across the board end up feeling unnatural and completely forced.

The three young girls give raw, amateurish performances, and their dramatic scenes unintentionally turn funny. To be fair, the fault lies more with poor character writing and weak direction than the youngsters themselves. Their college scenes and love tracks feel phony and badly staged.

The technical side makes matters worse, with terrible sound mixing and jarring cuts that take you out of the scenes. The camera angles, poor framing, and lack of basic continuity make the film look like a rushed telefilm. Almost every major scene crumbles under this weak handling.

Technical Aspects:

The production values look cheap, and the overall craft is utterly disappointing. The direction feels aimless, the writing is hollow, and the editing is completely out of rhythm. The only real relief is the short runtime, which saves you from further frustration.

Verdict:

On the whole, Pitapuramlo Ala Modalaindi is a badly made, outdated drama that brings nothing new to the table. Weak writing, lifeless performances, and embarrassing technical standards ruin whatever little message the director wanted to convey. A short runtime is the only silver lining in an otherwise exhausting watch. You can safely skip it.

123telugu.com Rating: 1.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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OTT Review: Modha Rathri – Telugu-Dubbed Tamil Movie on Netflix

by narendhar

Movie Name :Modha Rathri
Streaming Date : September 18, 2026
Streaming Platform : Netflix
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Rishikanth, Anishma Anilkumar and Others
Director : Raja Karuppasamy
Producers : Naveen Yerneni,Ravi Shankar Yalamanchili
Music Directors : Bharath Sankar
Cinematographer  : Surendran Paranjothi
Editor : Ashok Arjunan

Related Links : Trailer

Along with Ravi Teja’s Irumudi, Mythri Movie Makers released the Tamil film Modha Rathri in theatres on the same day. The film is now available to stream on Netflix with a Telugu audio option. Here’s our review of the film.

Story:

Maruthi’s (Rishikanth) parents arrange his marriage to Bujji Lakshmi (Anishma Anilkumar) without his knowledge or her consent, binding a man with a tragic past to a woman in love with someone else. Despite their reluctance, the wedding takes place, but drama erupts when Maruthi catches Lakshmi attempting to elope on their nuptial night. Whether he helps her escape or opposes her decision, and whether their families discover the truth, drive the rest of the narrative.

Plus Points:

Rishikanth does complete justice to his role with an understated, natural performance. He effectively brings out the silent grief of his tragic past while portraying his sheer bewilderment upon discovering his wife’s secret.

Joining him is Anishma Anilkumar, who delivers a solid performance that stands in sharp contrast to her previous work in Youth. While she sparks genuine laughter in her opening scenes, she shifts gears effortlessly in the later portions, where her vulnerability and helplessness render her character silent.

While organic humour runs throughout the film, the narrative quietly integrates social undertones like patriarchal boundaries imposed on women and parental dominance. It also touches upon caste-based condescension, subtly weaving these issues into the situational flow without turning preachy.

The slapstick comedy involving the character Nitish, played by the director himself, works out well through a string of awkward, funny misadventures. In addition, Bagavathi Perumal and Abdool Lee play their parts effectively, chipping in with a few decent chuckles.

Minus Points:

Because the narrative revolves around an incident unfolding over a single night, sustaining dramatic weight across a thin premise is naturally challenging. Although the director avoids going overboard, he struggles to keep the second half engaging.

The first hour breezes past with brisk situational chaos, but the post-interval stretch drags noticeably. Several sequences feel overextended, and tighter editing would have given the latter half a much better shape.

Although the predictable climax can be seen coming from a mile away, it lacks a neat, cohesive payoff. Instead of building genuine emotional or comedic drama around the resolution, the narrative settles for noisy commotion.

The Telugu dubbing is passable, yet leaving the songs entirely in Tamil reflects poor post-production effort. Furthermore, granting more screen time to seasoned comedy performers like Bagavathi Perumal and Abdool Lee could have supplied some much-needed energy to the lagging portions.

Technical Aspects:

Debutant director Raja Karuppasamy relies on an ordinary premise but fails to unlock its complete narrative potential. While he handles situational comedy and village eccentricities with ease, his writing lacks the structural depth required to sustain momentum throughout.

Surendran Paranjothi’s camera work remains functional, while Bharath Sankar’s background score suits the quirky mood. Editor Ashok Arjunan, who keeps the opening hour crisp, should have exercised firmer control over the bloated second half. The production values are strictly adequate.

Verdict:

On the whole, Modha Rathri is a routine rural comedy-drama saved in parts by organic humour. Rishikanth and Anishma Anilkumar anchor their roles well, and the initial situational humour lands neatly. On the flip side, predictable writing, overstretched scenes, and an uneven second half prevent it from being a truly satisfying watch.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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OTT Review: Panchanama – Telugu crime thriller series on ZEE5

by narendhar

Movie Name : Panchanama
Streaming Date : September 11, 2026
Streaming Platform : ZEE5
123telugu.com Rating : 2.25/5
Starring : Bharath Niwas, Shivaji Raja, Medha Reddy, Charan Babu and others
Director : Mohan Srivatsa
Producers : Midde Vijayendra Mouli, Udaya Bhanu
Music Directors : Naresh Kumaran
Cinematographer  : Sandeep Kanth.N
Editor : Srinivas Bainaboyina

Related Links : Trailer

Premisthe fame Bharath Srinivasan makes his Telugu OTT debut with Panchanama, which has Udaya Bhanu, a senior television host as its showrunner. The six-episode series is now streaming on ZEE5. Here’s our review.

Story:

Adhi (Charan Babu) shares a brother-like bond with CI Jairam (Bharath Srinivasan). When Adhi is found dead in his hostel, Jairam takes up the case and begins investigating. But things take a shocking turn when he discovers that Adhi’s fingerprints match those of two other people who are also dead – and all three deaths happened on the same day. How can three dead people have the same fingerprints? Who is behind these mysterious deaths, and what is the motive? Can Jairam crack the case and catch the killer? The series reveals the answers.

Plus Points:

Panchanama gets off to an intriguing start. The fingerprint mystery and the seemingly unrelated deaths immediately raise several questions, leaving viewers to speculate about the connection between the victims. This initial setup creates curiosity and gives the series a promising foundation.

Bharath Srinivasan maintains the seriousness required for the role throughout the series. He fits the part of a police officer well and delivers a satisfactory performance, with a few moments where he manages to make an impression.

Minus Points:

Crime thrillers with a medical backdrop are not new to Telugu audiences. With a familiar premise, the writing and execution need to offer something compelling to keep viewers invested. Unfortunately, this is where Panchanama begins to falter.

The initial mystery raises enough questions, but the screenplay fails to sustain that curiosity. The investigation gradually loses momentum, and the proceedings rarely generate the suspense or tension that a crime thriller of this nature demands. The team attempts to build intrigue, but the weak screenplay repeatedly gets in the way. The emotional layer also fails to make the desired impact.

A crime thriller needs to keep the audience invested as the investigation progresses, and Panchanama struggles to achieve that for most of its runtime. By the time the villain is revealed, the impact is considerably diminished because the story has already lost much of its momentum. The revelation therefore fails to deliver the excitement one would expect from such a crucial moment.

Bharath Srinivasan could have done better. While he maintains the seriousness expected of a police officer, his performance often feels too stiff, with limited emotional variation. The character needed more ease and stronger emotional depth, particularly as the investigation becomes increasingly personal.

The story also introduces several characters and connections as it progresses, making the narrative somewhat difficult to follow at times. The supporting actors have their respective roles, but none of them delivers a standout performance. Once again, the writing limits what the actors can bring to their characters.

Technical Aspects:

Director Mohan Srivatsa fails to turn the promising premise into an engaging crime thriller. The biggest problem lies in the screenplay, which needed to be tighter and more effective in building suspense. With stronger writing and a more focused treatment, the series could have been a much more gripping watch.

Naresh Kumaran’s score feels repetitive in places, while certain gaps in the background score give the impression of an unfinished treatment. Srinivas Bainaboyina’s editing could have been sharper and more precise, particularly in maintaining the pace of the investigation. Sandeep Kanth N’s cinematography is adequate but does not add much to the atmosphere of the thriller. The production values are passable.

Verdict:

On the whole, Panchanama is a disappointing series that starts on an okay note but loses its grip as it progresses. Bharath is okay among the actors, while the screenplay could have been tighter and more engaging. The series has an interesting premise, but the execution doesn’t fully do justice to it. You can look for other options this weekend.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: ​Epic First Semester – Youthful Vibe, Sluggish Pace

by narendhar

Movie Name : Epic-First Semester

Release Date : September 11, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Anand Deverakonda, Vaishnavi Chaitanya and Others
Director : Aditya Hasan
Producers : Suryadevara Naga Vamsi & Sai Soujanya
Music Director : Hesham Abdul Wahab
Cinematographer : Azeem Mohammad
Editor : Navin Nooli

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Epic – First Semester brings the ‘Baby’ duo Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya together again. Directed by Aditya Hasan, this slice-of-life drama arrived amid decent buzz, mainly because of the reunion of the Baby pair. Here is our take on the movie.

Story:

Set against the backdrop of Wanaparthy and London, the film follows Aditya (Anand Deverakonda), an innocent and easy-going youngster who aspires to become a film director. However, his parents want him to pursue higher education abroad. He eventually travels to London, where he meets Kadali (Vaishnavi Chaitanya), a strong-willed and independent girl from Vizag. An unexpected bond develops between them, and their contrasting personalities gradually lead to fun, conflicts, ego clashes and emotional moments. The challenges they face in their relationship form the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

Anand Deverakonda takes on a role that suits him well. His innocent portrayal of Aditya works, particularly in his conversations with Kadali. His expressions and comic timing generate a few laughs, and he carries the character with ease.

As Kadali, Vaishnavi Chaitanya does a decent job. Her character is quite different from the kind of roles she has played before, and the contrast between her strong personality and Anand’s innocent nature creates some curiosity. She brings the required conviction to the role.

The relationship dynamics between the lead pair are among the better aspects of the film. The fun, pain, ego clashes and adjustments between them are showcased through some good conversations, with a few moments feeling natural and relatable. Kalyan Shankar’s comedy works in parts, while Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music and background score help elevate several scenes.

Minus Points:

The biggest problem with Epic – First Semester is its writing. The basic story is simple and offers nothing particularly new, which is not necessarily a problem if supported by strong characterisation and engaging moments. Unfortunately, the film struggles to build on its premise effectively.

Most of the film revolves around conversations between the lead pair, but many of them keep circling around the same emotional territory without providing enough clarity or meaningful progression. The first half and a substantial portion of the second half follow a similar pattern, making the narrative feel repetitive and stretched. While the pre-climax and climax have some emotional moments, they arrive after the film has already tested the audience’s patience.

The connection with the 90s – A Middle Class Biopic web series does not add much value either. While Epic – First Semester comes from the same world, the connection feels more like an attempt to benefit from the popularity of the web series than something that meaningfully contributes to this story. The intimate scenes between the lead pair could also limit its reach among sections of family audiences.

Anand’s character is written with an excessive level of innocence, which does not always feel convincing and may not be easy for all viewers to accept. The supporting characters, particularly those played by Sivaji and Vasuki, are also not explored well enough. Better development of these characters and their emotional connection with the leads could have added more weight to the drama.

Technical Aspects:

Writer-director Aditya Hasan has a story in hand but struggles to shape it effectively, resulting in repetitive writing and uneven execution. Hesham Abdul Wahab is a major strength, with his music and background score elevating several scenes and making some otherwise ordinary moments more effective.

Azeem Mohammad’s cinematography is satisfying, and the production values are decent. The editing, however, needed more work, as several scenes and conversations could have been trimmed to make the narrative tighter and more engaging.

Verdict:

On the whole, Epic – First Semester is a love drama that is passable in parts, with decent performances from Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya. The lead pair shares a few good moments, the comedy works in parts, and Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music provides a boost to several scenes. However, the film is let down by its writing, repetitive narrative and lack of progression. The emotional payoff arrives a little too late to make a significant impact, while the prolonged relationship drama gradually tests the audience’s patience. If you are willing to sit through the slower stretches for the occasional good moments, you can consider it, but keep your expectations in check.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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