Reviews

Movie Name : Cocktail 2
Release Date : June 19, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Rashmika Mandanna
Director : Homi Adajania
Producer : Dinesh Vijan, Luv Ranjan, Pramita R Vijan, Ankur Garg
Music Director : Pritam
Cinematographer : Santhana Krishnan Ravichandran
Editors : Akshara Prabhakar

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The much-awaited sequel to the blockbuster youthful entertainer Cocktail, Cocktail 2 arrives in theatres amid considerable expectations. Marketed as a contemporary relationship drama, the film explores love, friendship, and emotional complexities through a modern lens. But does it manage to recreate the charm of its predecessor? Let’s find out.

Story:
Kunal (Shahid Kapoor) is in a live-in relationship with Diya (Rashmika Mandanna). However, their lives take an unexpected turn when Ally (Kriti Sanon) enters the picture. What begins as a close friendship gradually evolves into a complicated love triangle. Whom does Kunal eventually choose? How do the relationships between these three individuals unfold? The answers form the rest of the story.

Plus Points:
Kriti Sanon delivers a commendable performance and emerges as one of the film’s biggest strengths. While she brings plenty of energy and charm to her character in the first half, she is equally impressive during the emotional moments in the latter half, portraying them with conviction.

Shahid Kapoor carries the film with his effortless charm and stylish screen presence. He looks at ease in the role and fits perfectly into the film’s youthful setting.

One of the film’s biggest assets is its visual appeal. The picturesque Sicily backdrop adds richness to the narrative, while the lavish production values give the film a glossy and grand look. Pritam’s songs are pleasant, and his background score complements the mood effectively.

Minus Points:
Although the film revolves around modern relationships, it lacks a strong emotional conflict to keep the audience invested. A significant portion of the first half is dedicated to parties, pub sequences, and lifestyle montages, making the narrative feel stretched.

In a relationship drama, the emotional connection between the characters is crucial. Unfortunately, the emotional equations between the lead characters never become compelling enough. Their actions and decisions often feel inconsistent, making it difficult for the audience to fully connect with their journey.

Rashmika Mandanna delivers a decent performance, but her character suffers from weak writing. The role lacks a well-defined arc, preventing it from leaving a stronger impression. Additionally, some of her Hindi dialogues do little to enhance the character.

The second half relies too much on emotional drama and occasionally feels sluggish. The pacing slows down considerably, and the climax twist follows a familiar route, reducing its overall impact.

Technical Aspects:
Director Homi Adajania relies heavily on a stylish and contemporary presentation, but the storytelling lacks the emotional depth needed to make the narrative truly engaging. The cinematography is visually appealing, with the Sicily locations captured beautifully on screen.

The music department does a good job, with both the songs and background score working in the film’s favour. The editing could have been sharper, especially in the second half, where a few unnecessary scenes could have been trimmed. The production values are top-notch, with the makers ensuring a visually rich experience throughout.

Verdict:
On the whole, Cocktail 2 is a half-baked romantic drama that fails to capitalise on the goodwill of its predecessor. Despite its stylish visuals, picturesque locations, rich production values, and a handful of commendable performances, the film is let down by its lack of emotional depth and engaging storytelling. Fans expecting the magic of the original Cocktail are likely to be disappointed, as the weak conflict and inconsistent narrative prevent the audience from fully connecting with the characters and their relationships.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Movie Name : Deewana
Release Date : June 20, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Harshith Reddy, Smeha Manimegalai and others
Director : Sreekanth Sangishetty
Producers : Arha Media, Vasudev Koppineni, Sridevi Karyampudi
Music Director : Eswar chand
Cinematographer : Vamsi Patchipulusu
Editor : Hrishikesh Pasapal

Related Links : Trailer

Deewana starring Harshith Reddy is now out in theatres. The film is backed by Geetha Arts. Let’s see how this small film is.

Story:
Munna (Harshith Reddy), a good-for-nothing youngster from a middle-class family, spends most of his time roaming around with friends, and getting into fights. One day, he comes across Amulya (Smeha), who works in a government office, and instantly falls for her. He begins pursuing her, but Amulya doesn’t reciprocate his feelings. What happened next needs to be watched on the big screen.

Plus Points:
Deewana is one of the most meaningful films to have come out of Tollywood in recent times. When almost every character carries significance and serves a purpose in the narrative, a film feels truly complete and leaves a satisfactory feeling. This doesn’t happen very often, and the writing team of Deewana deserves a huge round of applause for the way they crafted each and every character.

Young actor Harshith Reddy’s portrayal of a crazy (Deewana) lover tugs at the heartstrings. The actor did good in his previous projects as well, but oh boy, he is simply extraordinary here. It’s a performance that will stay in hearts long after the end credits roll.

The film strikes a neat balance between realistic and commercial cinema, and that’s what makes Deewana even more lovable. The grounded approach in portraying the hero’s world through real locations works to the film’s advantage.

The second half is superbly written and presented. There are several payoffs that bring proper closure to many characters. More importantly, the emotional depth, coupled with entertaining moments, adds a sense of wholesomeness to the proceedings. While certain portions turn disturbing, the drama and dialogues justify them. The father-son bonding and the friendship angle are lovely.

Leading lady Smeha performs to the tee. The way her character and inner turmoil are written makes it easy to connect with and root for her. The rap songs further enhance the entertainment quotient. Naresh, Jhansi, and the entire supporting cast did a phenomenal job. Every one of them infused life into this heartwarming film.

Minus Points:
The first half is basically the set-up for the payoffs in the latter half, and the pacing here is a bit slow. The hero’s attempts to woo the leading lady turn somewhat monotonous after a point, and some fine-tuning would have been good. Some tropes could have been avoided for better impact.

Deewana is a film made with pure heart, and there are some disturbing moments/episodes that may make some people uncomfortable. That is one of the reasons the film was awarded an A certificate, and it’s important to set the right expectations in that regard.

Technical Aspects:
Eshwar Chand’s music is the second hero for Deewana. The love tracks, the crazy rap songs during key moments elevate the experience to another level.

The production values and the cinematography by Vamsi Patchipulusu are on point. Editing is satisfactory overall.

Lately, there has been a lot of discussion about how heroines are portrayed in films and how harassment is often mistaken for romance. Deewana stands out by clearly addressing this, with the leading lady calling out the protagonist and pointing out that his behaviour is no different from those who harass her. The film also tracks the protagonist’s transformation into a more responsible person. Director and writer Sreekanth Sanghishetty deserves every bit of appreciation for handling these aspects in a sensible manner. He is a talent to watch out for. The first half is slow, but the second half is highly rewarding.

Verdict :
On the whole, Deewana is a sincere romantic drama with its heart in the right place. The film excels in writing and performances. Harshith Reddy, Smeha Manimeghalai, and the entire supporting cast deliver solid performances. The first half is slow and has some monotony. The film might feel disturbing for a few viewers. The second half is where the film finds its strength, delivering proper payoffs, emotional depth, fun moments, and a satisfying climax.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Movie Name : Peddi
Release Date : June 4, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5
Starring : Ram Charan, Janhvi Kapoor, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyendu Sharma
Director : Buchi Babu Sana
Producers : Venkata Satish Kilaru
Music Director : AR Rahman
Cinematographer : Ratnavelu ISC
Editor : Navin Nooli

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Ram Charan’s much-awaited sports drama Peddi has finally arrived in theatres amid massive expectations. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana and featuring a star-studded cast, the film generated significant buzz through its promotional campaign. With promises of intense emotions, sports drama, and a powerful central performance, does Peddi live up to the hype? Let’s find out.

Story:
Set in 2016, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports begins a search for exceptional sporting talent following India’s disappointing performance at the Olympics. During this mission, sports official Mr. Paiswal (Boman Irani) arrives in Vizianagaram and learns about Peddi (Ram Charan), a jaggery worker from an unrecognised village who has earned a reputation for excelling in multiple sports. Curious about the man and his extraordinary abilities, Paiswal sets out to uncover the story behind Peddi’s journey and his deep connection to his village.

Plus Points:
Ram Charan is undoubtedly the film’s biggest strength. After Rangasthalam, this is one of those rare roles that allows him to showcase both his acting prowess and emotional depth. He delivers a committed performance throughout and completely owns the character of Peddi. His portrayal is convincing and impactful, allowing the audience to connect with the character’s journey. The emotional maturity he displays during the pre-climax and climax portions stands out as one of the film’s major highlights.

Shiva Rajkumar plays an important role and leaves a strong impression with his screen presence. His scenes with Ram Charan are engaging and contribute significantly to the narrative. Jagapathi Babu, despite limited screen time, makes his presence felt with a powerful performance as Appalasoori. Boman Irani is effective in his role and performs with his usual ease.

The sports sequences are handled well, particularly the cricket episodes, which provide several entertaining moments. Ram Charan’s physical transformation and commitment to the demanding role deserve appreciation.

While several emotional scenes fall short of their potential, the climax delivers the emotional payoff effectively and stands out as one of the film’s strongest aspects.

Minus Points:
While Peddi aims to balance sports drama with strong emotional storytelling, a few emotional scenes do not achieve the desired impact. Although they have the potential to be deeply moving, the writing and execution make them feel somewhat ordinary. The film also follows a few familiar storytelling patterns seen in similar sports dramas, making certain portions predictable and reducing their overall effectiveness.

Although the casting choices are appropriate, many supporting characters are underutilised. Janhvi Kapoor has very little contribution to the narrative and is largely confined to songs and a romantic subplot that lacks emotional connection. Similarly, talented actors such as Rao Ramesh, John Vijay, Ajay Ghosh, and others are not given enough opportunities to leave a lasting impression.

Some viewers may find certain dialogues difficult to follow due to their presentation and the Uttarandhra dialect. Additionally, the placement of the special song Hallallallo feels forced and does not blend naturally into the narrative.

The promotional campaign also revealed more than necessary, reducing the impact of a few key moments that would have worked better as surprises.

Technical Aspects:
Director Buchi Babu Sana chooses an ambitious subject for his second feature and succeeds in delivering an engaging film for the most part. He understands Ram Charan’s strengths and utilises them effectively. However, a tighter screenplay and sharper narrative progression could have elevated the overall experience considerably.

A.R. Rahman’s music and background score enhance several important moments. While his work is effective overall, a few emotional scenes could have benefited from a more impactful score. Cinematographer Ratnavelu delivers visually appealing frames and captures both the rural backdrop and sports sequences with richness and scale.

Naveen Nooli’s editing is satisfactory, though a few portions could have been trimmed for a crisper narrative. The production values are impressive throughout, reflecting the film’s grand scale. The visual effects are decent but leave room for improvement in certain scenes.

Verdict:
On the whole, Peddi is an engaging and emotional sports drama elevated largely by Ram Charan’s outstanding performance. His portrayal of the titular character carries the film and delivers several memorable moments, particularly during the emotionally charged climax portions. Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, and the supporting cast perform their roles effectively. However, the film is not without flaws. Predictable narrative beats, underutilised supporting characters, and a few emotional sequences that fall short of their intended impact prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite these shortcomings, Peddi remains an engaging watch, thanks to its blend of sports, emotion, and an inspiring story. Fans of Ram Charan and emotional sports dramas are likely to come away highly satisfied.

123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Movie Name : Drishyam 3
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Jeethu Joseph films
Movie streaming subscription
Release Date : May 21, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Mohanlal, Meena, Siddique, Asha Sharath, Murali Gopy, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil and others
Director : Jeethu Joseph
Producer : Antony Perumbavoor
Music Director : Anil Johnson
Cinematographer : Satheesh Kurup
Editor : Vinayak VS
Related Links : Trailer

The widely acclaimed crime thriller franchise Drishyam headlined by Mohanlal and created by Jeethu Joseph has returned with the third part. Amidst solid hype, the movie hit the big screens today. Let’s see how it is.

Story:

Georgekutty (Mohanlal) finally makes the film Drishyam, which he had been planning to produce for a long time. Superstar Arun Kumar (Biju Menon) plays the lead role in it, and the movie becomes a box office blockbuster. As a result, media attention shifts towards Georgekutty and his family. Two media reporters closely follow Georgekutty’s movements, hoping to find clues about Varun’s (Roshan Basheer) mortal remains and gain mileage in the industry. This also happens to be the time George plans to marry off his daughter Anju George (Ansiba Hassan) into a good family. What happens next forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

The Complete Actor Mohanlal has portrayed many fantastic and challenging roles in his career, and playing Georgekutty once again is just a walk in the park for him. The subtle expressions he gives during tense moments show how great an actor he is. As a person trying to save his family from a haunted past, Mohanlal is flawless.

The second half is where the film gets going with neat momentum, and there are some interesting portions that hold attention. Georgekutty lands in trouble as the cops manage to find some clues about his past actions, and the tension is maintained for a while in the second half, making the experience mildly engaging. Others did a satisfactory job. Fun moments featuring Esther Anil click decently.

Minus Points:

Every good franchise will have a saturation point if the conflicts get repetitive. When a new dimension or story is explored, it offers something fresh for the audience, and the franchise’s popularity helps the film commercially. But when the same problem is explored time and again, one may experience fatigue. The climax of Drishyam 3 leaves exactly a similar impression.

The screenplay pattern of Drishyam 3 is largely identical to the second installment. The first half is used as the primary set-up for the threats the protagonist faces in the second half. The second half in Drishyam 3 does manage to engage to an extent, but the climax lacks the wow factor and magic that the previous films delivered.

We know Georgekutty will somehow get away using his tricks, and hence we get a been-there-seen-that feeling. Neither do the twists take us by surprise, nor is the emotional part strong. These twists might have worked better in another film, but with each Drishyam installment, Jeethu Joseph has raised the benchmark for the genre to such a level that Drishyam 3 doesn’t meet the gold standard he himself set.

Since the first half is slow-paced and doesn’t have much to offer, a viewer expects a lot from the second half, especially the climax. The finale is not only less impactful, but it is also portrayed in a slightly confusing manner.

Technical Aspects:

The Telugu dubbing is decent. Anil Johnson’s background score is in sync with the film’s tone. The cinematography by Satheesh Kurup is good, and so are the production values. The editing could have been sharper in the first half.

Jeethu Joseph doesn’t quite meet expectations this time around, as the film works only in parts and doesn’t leave a lasting impression like its predecessors. The emotional depth is clearly missing in the threequel. It may not be a wise option to continue the franchise further, as it could affect the reputation it has built over the years.

Verdict:

On the whole, Drishyam 3 doesn’t match the brilliance of the first and second installments of the franchise and works only in bits and pieces. The first half starts slow, the interval is decent, and the second half initially engages, but as the film moves towards the climax, the impact drops considerably due to the similar screenplay structure experienced before. The twists aren’t solid, and the emotions aren’t presented well. Drishyam 3 is not a bad film, but it doesn’t entirely meet expectations due to the standard that Jeethu Joseph himself set with the past two films.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team