Telugu Movie Reviews

Review: Masters of the Universe – A Disappointing He-Man Adaptation

by narendhar

Masters-of-the-Universe

Movie Name : Masters of the Universe

Release Date : June 05, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.25/5
Starring : Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, Jóhannes Haukur, Jóhannesson, Kristen Wiig, Jared Leto, Idris Elba
Director : Travis Knight
Producers : Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal
Music Director : Daniel Pemberton
Cinematographer : Fabian Wagner
Editors :  Paul Rubell
Related Links : Trailer

Masters of the Universe is a Hollywood movie based on the beloved He-Man character. This is the second live action film adaptation after the 1987 film of the same name. Does this 2026 version make a difference, or does it meet the same fate as its predecessor? Let’s find out.

Story:

After being separated from Eternia during childhood following an attack by the evil Skeletor (Jared Leto), Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) grows up on Earth longing to return to his world. Fifteen years later, the legendary Sword of Power finally leads him back home, only to find Eternia under Skeletor’s rule. How Adam embraces his destiny as He-Man and fights to reclaim his kingdom forms the rest of the story.

Plus Points:

The biggest strength of Masters of the Universe is its visual presentation. The makers bring Eternia to life on an impressive scale, and seeing several iconic characters from the He-Man universe in live action is enjoyable. The production values are rich, and the fantasy world is designed well.

Idris Elba is the film’s standout performer. He brings strength, warmth, and humour to Duncan, making the character instantly likable. His screen presence adds value to several scenes, and his comic timing works particularly well.

Nicholas Galitzine is decent as Prince Adam. He handles the humorous side of the role well and puts in a sincere effort, even though the writing does not always support him.

Minus Points:

The biggest issue with the film is its portrayal of He-Man. Instead of presenting Prince Adam as a powerful and inspiring hero, the makers turn him into a goofy and self mocking character for most of the runtime. This approach weakens the impact of the character and takes away much of what made He-Man iconic.

The conflict between Adam and Skeletor never reaches the level it should. Despite Skeletor being responsible for the destruction of Adam’s world, their confrontations lack emotional weight and fail to generate excitement. The film never delivers the powerful hero versus villain moments that fans would expect.

The film starts on a promising note with the Eternia portions but loses momentum once the story shifts to Earth. Even after Adam returns to his world, the stakes remain surprisingly low, making the narrative less engaging than expected.

Another drawback is the screenplay. Several scenes feel familiar and predictable, often resembling moments from other superhero films. The excessive reliance on comedy further reduces the seriousness of the story and makes many scenes feel repetitive.

Fans may also be disappointed with the handling of popular characters. Battle Cat is underutilised throughout the film, while Orko’s appearance is so brief that one might miss it by simply blinking. After making fans wait throughout the film, the makers seem to have remembered Orko only at the very last minute and squeezed him into a cameo. Their limited presence significantly reduces the nostalgic appeal of the film.

Technical Aspects:

Director Travis Knight deserves credit for visualising Eternia effectively, and the cinematography, visual effects, and production design collectively help create a visually rich fantasy world. However, the screenplay lacks the emotional weight and excitement needed for a story of this scale. As a result, Adam’s journey never delivers the powerful heroic transformation audiences expect.

The background score is serviceable but rarely elevates the proceedings, while the editing could have been much tighter as several portions feel stretched. Coming to the Telugu dubbing, Nikhil does a decent job for the lead role, and Rao Ramesh performs well in his part. However, some of the remaining dubbing choices fail to leave an impression, and the voice chosen for Battle Cat feels completely mismatched.

Verdict:

On the whole, Masters of the Universe is a disappointing adaptation that gets the look of Eternia right but misses what made He-Man special in the first place. The visuals are impressive, but the weak screenplay, lack of emotional depth, and underwhelming conflict between Adam and Skeletor prevent the film from making any real impact. Fans who grew up watching the classic series will be disappointed by the film’s portrayal of He-Man, while today’s generation will find little that feels fresh or exciting. Apart from its visuals and occasional moments of humour, there is hardly anything memorable about this adaptation.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team 

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Review: Ram Charan’s Peddi – An Engaging Sports Drama Rooted in Strong Emotions

by narendhar

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

Related Links : Trailer

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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Review: Mareechika – Psychological thriller that fails to hold attention

by narendhar

Movie Name : Mareechika

Release Date : May 29, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.25/5
Starring : Viraj Ashwin, Regena Cassandrra, Anupama Parameswaran and Others
Director : Satish Kasetty
Producers : Rajiv Chilaka, Meghhaa Chilakka
Music Director : Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematographer : Arvind Kannabiran
Editor : Junaid Siddiqui

Related Links : Trailer

Mareechika, starring Anupama Parameswaran, Regena Cassandrra, and Viraj Ashwin, has hit the big screens today. Let’s see how the film is.

Story:

Venkatalaxmi (Anupama Parameswaran), a college student, adores Sanju a.k.a. Sanjay (Viraj Ashwin) deeply. He is the son of a corporator, but chooses to stand on his own for self-respect and runs a coffee shop. Venkatalaxmi never confesses her feelings for Sanju, and she makes friends with NRI Mareechika (Regena Cassandrra). To Venkatalaxmi’s shock, Mareechika and Sanju get closer and eventually get married. One day, Mareechika kills Sanju, after which Venkatalaxmi approaches the police. Why did Mareechika kill Sanju? Who is she exactly? What happened next? This forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

The director’s vision should be appreciated. He intended to deliver a different film without sticking to the routine beats. Mareechika, at the ideation stage, is on the lines of Mahesh Babu’s One: Nenokkadine. The film blends psychological, romantic, and mystery elements.

The interval block and the final act are engaging. Especially, the sequence during the last few minutes involving Ajay Ghosh, Regina, and Anupama came out pretty well. It generates laughs with Ajay Ghosh’s character getting confused (and so do the viewers). Performances by Regina, Anupama, and Viraj Ashwin are neat. Regena is apt as an NRI woman, while Anupama impresses in an innocent role. Viraj Ashwin looked dapper and played his part well.

Minus Points:

Lately, a common issue with most small-budget films is a good idea paired with underwhelming narration. Unfortunately, Maricheeka also falls into the same league. If the narration doesn’t support the intriguing idea, the whole purpose gets lost. The disappointment becomes greater when a film attempts something new but fails to live up to its potential.

The first half moves at a snail’s pace and also tests the viewers’ patience. The first hour is crucial to the latter half in terms of connecting the dots, but the execution could have been way better. The proceedings simply aren’t engaging.

The second half also starts on a dull note, but it gets better as the film reaches its fag end. In the process of untying the knots, the film creates a certain amount of confusion, but it eventually provides answers. The complicated narration, at times, isn’t the actual problem; rather, the police investigation related to the crime is poorly handled. The cops hardly put in any effort to find out what exactly happened, and this ultimately undoes the good idea the film contains.

Technical Aspects:

Music by Ilaiyaraaja is decent, while the background score works effectively in some crucial moments. Aravind Kannabiran’s cinematography is fine, and the production values are satisfactory. The editing could have been sharper.

Lakshmi Bhupala’s story is interesting, but it wasn’t translated compellingly onto the screen. Only a few moments work in this psychological thriller, while the rest of the portions feel bland.

Verdict:

On the whole, Mareechika is a disappointing psychological thriller that gets lost in translation. The story, with its psychological and mystery elements, had enough substance, but the treatment fails to pack a punch. Regina, Anupama, and Viraj Ashwin did well, but the sluggish narration, poorly handled investigation track, and the overall blandness in the proceedings make Mareechika a dull outing.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Arjun’s Blast Zone – Decent Action Ride

by narendhar

Blast Zone Review

Movie Name : Blast Zone

Release Date : May 28, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Action King Arjun, Preity Mukhundhan, Abhirami & Others
Director : Subash K Raj
Producer : AGS Entertainment
Music Director : Ravi Basrur
Cinematographer : Arun Radhakrishnan
Editor : Pradeep E Ragav
Related Links : Trailer

Action King Arjun has come up with the action-packed family entertainer Blast Zone (Blast in Tamil). The movie also starring Abhirami and Preity Mukhundhan in other key roles has hit the big screens today. Let’s see how it is.

Story:

Blast Zone revolves around a nuclear family consisting of a father (Arjun), mother (Abhirami), and their daughter Nila (Preity Mukhundhan). What makes them special is that all three are Karate maestros. Nila has been raised as a brave girl right from childhood. Unexpectedly, they cross paths with a businessman and a local gangster who are up to something big. What happens next forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

The lead roles played by Action King Arjun, Abhirami, and Preity Mukhundhan are crazily designed and presented. Unlike the majority of commercial entertainers, this film offers two strong female characters. Abhirami is portrayed as a housewife worried about her daughter’s stern behaviour, but when the family lands in danger, she doesn’t hesitate to break the bones of goons. The actress did a splendid job and her transformation scene in the interval is sure to draw whistles.

On the other side, we have Preity Mukhundhan, whose character can very much strike a chord with female audiences. She is portrayed neatly as a bold and fearless girl. There is a scene in which she deals with workplace harassment on her own, and this block generates both fun and claps. Preity Mukhundhan has rightly chosen a character that is both well-written and pivotal to the story. She did justice to the written material.

Action King Arjun is in his element, and since the narrative style perfectly suits his image and persona, he seems to have had a blast playing the Karate master role. The actor’s stunning screen presence is the icing on the cake. There are some surprise elements that are enjoyable too.

The action blocks are superbly designed and they form the heart of the film. The way the family deals with goons without letting their neighbours know about the tussle is smartly handled. Other actors did their job well. Not just action, Blast Zone also offers momentary fun without going overboard and manages to generate a good amount of laughs.

Minus Points:

Initially, the director takes his own time to introduce the film’s world, characters, and the turning point in the story. Here, the film isn’t very effective, and some portions could have been shortened for an even better impact.

The basic premise around which Blast Zone revolves has been explored umpteen times across several industries. The director has woven crazy characters around this familiar plot, and those expecting freshness may be slightly disappointed. In the first half, a couple of scenes involving the villains could have been more convincing.

Technical Aspects:

Ravi Basrur’s background score resembles the style of some big-hit films at times, but it gets better in the latter half. Arun Radhakrishnan has brilliantly captured the action sequences, enhancing their impact. The production values are nice. The editing is smooth in the second half.

Subash K Raj is both the writer and director of Blast Zone. He picked a very familiar plot, but his presentation hits the right notes. He displayed his conviction levels in multiple scenes.

Verdict:

On the whole, Blast Zone is a decent action-packed entertainer that features enjoyable action blocks, crazy characterizations, and a tinge of fun. The film deals with a well-known plot and initially takes some time to introduce the characters and establish the stakes in the narrative. But after that, the screenplay runs on a tight note and keeps us hooked till the end. Lead actors Arjun, Abhirami, and Preity Mukhundhan are spot on in their roles and leave a strong impact. Those who like watching action entertainers can definitely give Blast Zone a try.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Trikala – Good concept let down by messy storytelling

by narendhar

Movie Name : Trikala

Release Date : May 28, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Ajay, Shraddha Das, Master Mahendran, Sahithi Avancha, Nandha Durairaj,Amani, Sahithi Avancha Sai Dheena, Robo Shankar, Rowdy Rohini, ETV Prabhakar, Ambati Arjun, spyder snjay , Kalloori Vinoth
Director : Mani Thellagutie
Producer : Radhika Srinivas
Music Director : Shajith Humayun
Cinematographer : Pavan Chennal
Editor : Mani Thellagutie

Related Links : Trailer

Trikala, headlined by Master Mahendra, Shraddha Das, and Ajay, is now out in theatres. Let’s see how this fantasy thriller is.

Story:

The story, rooted in the Sanatana Dharma concepts of rebirth and karma, begins centuries ago. A royal dynasty is cursed after committing cow slaughter, due to which every male heir of their lineage is born with a deformity.

What happens after Vaitharan (Ajay), the last heir of the dynasty, is born? Who is Nidhi (Sahithi), the girl who gets acquainted with a young boy named Shiva (Master Mahendra) from Anakapalli through a phone call? Who will save the cursed village of Shankarampalli? And why are a group of sorcerers trying to awaken the spirit of Trikaaluni, which was trapped inside an eggshell? To know the answers, one has to watch the film.

Plus Points:

Those who enjoy fantasy-based subjects will find the core concept of Trikala interesting and refreshing. The film starts on a promising note with its backstory and the introduction of the Trikala concept.

The second half is comparatively better, as many of the confusions are cleared here. The emotional episode featuring Aamani, along with a song sequence, was handled well. The veteran actress delivered a commendable performance. Ajay gave a powerhouse performance in his role. Though his character’s revelation comes a bit late, the director presented it neatly. The actor who portrayed the younger version of Ajay also did a solid job.

Tanikella Bharani, Master Mahendra, and Shraddha Das performed well in their respective roles. The suspense factor manages to keep the audience engaged to some extent in the first half.

Minus Points:

Though the subject chosen is fresh and holds good potential, the narrative isn’t entirely effective and tends to confuse at times. The intriguing core idea gets diluted by a few routine scenes. The way the first half is narrated with abrupt cuts adds to the confusion.

While the second half provides answers to most of the questions, it also gives the feeling that the team spent too much time on buildup, resulting in a dragged-out narrative. After a point, the screenplay slips into a routine zone, but the fantasy and mythological elements make the film bearable.

Additionally, the karma concept linked to Ajay’s character could have been explained with better clarity. The film also lacks nativity, making it feel neither fully Telugu nor Tamil. The poor lip sync affects the viewing experience, and Ajay not dubbing for his own role comes across as disappointing.

Technical Aspects:

The production values, VFX, and the overall setup required for a fantasy film are okayish. At times, the team appears to have relied on AI-generated visuals. The music is decent, and the “Amma” song stands out as a good number. The cinematography is fine.

Director Mani Thellaguti also handled the editing, but that aspect turns out to be below par. The core idea is exciting, but the same cannot be said about the execution. At times, the narrative becomes confusing, while in a few portions it remains mildly engaging. More care should have been taken with the technical aspects.

Verdict:

On the whole, Trikala is a below-par film with some fine moments. Though the idea is interesting, the narrative doesn’t succeed in holding our attention. Ajay did well, and he is ably supported by Aamani. However, the confusing narrative and a few routine elements weaken the overall impact.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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OTT Review: Memu Copulam – Telugu series on ZEE5

by narendhar

Movie Name : Memu Copulam
Streaming Date : May 22, 2026
Streaming Platform : ZEE5
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5

Starring : Nagababu, Getup Srinu, Raviteja Nannimala, Reethu Chowdary, Charan Lakkaraju, Siri Parvathi, Keeriti Damaraju, and others
Director : Pradeep Maddali
Producers : BVS Ravi, Koumudi
Music Director : Saketh Komanduri
Cinematographer  : Kishore Boyidapu
Editor : Michael D Silva

Related Links : Trailer

The latest rural crime-comedy web series Memu Copulam has started streaming on the popular OTT platform Zee5. Starring Nagababu in the lead role, the series is directed by Pradeep Maddali.

Story:

In the village of Mahadeva Pattanam, village head Gajapathi Raju (Nagababu) is extremely attached to his prized fighting rooster, SalAar Raju. Ahead of the Sankranti cockfights, he throws a grand party for the villagers. However, after the celebrations, the rooster mysteriously goes missing. The responsibility of finding the bird falls on SI Ravi (Raviteja Nannimala) and Constable Mohan (Getup Srinu). Meanwhile, several villagers suddenly fall seriously ill and end up hospitalized.

Who kidnapped Salaar Raju? What caused the mysterious illness in the village? What illegal activities are taking place there, and who is behind them? The series revolves around finding answers to these questions.

Plus Points:

One of the biggest strengths of the series is the chemistry between Getup Srinu and Raviteja Nannimala. Playing innocent and confused policemen, the duo manages to generate decent laughs with their comic timing. Some of the rural-flavored dialogues and misunderstandings work well.

Mega brother Nagababu, who plays a key role, lends good support with his captivating performance. The rural backdrop and village politics work at times, and the idea of building a crime comedy around a fighting rooster feels interesting.

Among the supporting cast, Siri Parvathi, Charan Lakkaraju, Rithu Chowdary, and Keeriti Damaraju perform neatly within the scope of their roles. The black magic drama and the mystery surrounding villagers vomiting blood add a bit of intrigue in the latter half of the series. A few suspenseful moments also help maintain curiosity.

Minus Points:

While the basic idea of the series is good, the director doesn’t completely succeed in transforming it into an engaging screenplay. Stretching this small point across six episodes slows down the narration considerably, and a few episodes feel dragged.

Though the comedy works in some portions, it appears forced in others. Despite being promoted as a crime mystery, the suspense element isn’t entirely gripping enough. The climax twist and revelations also fail to create much excitement.

A major drawback is the absence of a strong antagonist. By the time the series reaches its conclusion, the twists and suspense revelations unfold in a rather flat manner. Even the love story and reporter subplots do not make much impact.

Technical Aspects:

Director Pradeep Maddali picked a promising concept, but could have written the screenplay in a more engaging manner. A better balance of the comedy and crime mystery elements could have enhanced the impact.

The cinematography nicely captures the rural atmosphere, while the background score elevates a few comedy scenes effectively. The editing could have been sharper, as several stretched scenes needed trimming. Production values are decent.

Verdict:

On the whole, Memu Copulam is an okayish rural crime-comedy drama that delivers a few scattered laughs here and there. The performances of Getup Srinu and Raviteja Nannimala, along with some village-based comedy scenes, are the major highlights. However, the not-so-engaging screenplay and slow narration reduce the overall impact.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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OTT Review: System – Is Jyothika and Sonakshi Sinha’s Courtroom Drama Worth Watching?

by narendhar

Movie Name : System
Streaming Date : May 22, 2026
Streaming Platform : Amazon Prime Video
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5

Starring : Jyothika, Sonakshi Sinha, Ashutosh Gowariker, Vijayant Kohli, Freya Kothari, Preeti Agarwal, Sandeep Sen Gupta
Director : Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Producers : Pammi Baweja, Harman Baweja, Smita Baliga
Music Directors : Karthik Manikavasam, Oaff & Savera, Ana Rehman
Cinematographer  : Rangarajan Ramabadran
Editor : Charu Shree Roy

Related Links : Trailer

Amazon Prime Video brings a new courtroom drama to our screens this week. Titled System, the film features Jyothika and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead roles. It’s currently streaming in multiple languages, including a Telugu dubbed version. Let’s find out how it holds up.

Story:

Ravi Rajvansh (Ashutosh Gowariker) is a top-tier lawyer at the Delhi High Court who has never lost a case. His daughter, Neha Rajvansh (Sonakshi Sinha), works as a lawyer in the same court and desperately wants to build her own identity outside her father’s shadow. Along the way, Neha strikes up a close friendship with a court stenographer named Sarika Rawat (Jyothika).

Things take a complicated turn when a popular businessman, Vikram Bajral (Vijayant Kohli), gets accused of murdering a social media influencer named Inaya Kothari (Freya Kothari). Ravi takes up Vikram’s defense, prompting Neha to fight the case against her own father. Who actually killed Inaya? Did Vikram really do it? How do powerful people use legal loopholes, and who ends up paying the price? The rest of the movie answers these questions as the intense trial unfolds.

Plus Points:

The movie hooks you right from the start with a brutal truth: Courts don’t care if you actually committed a crime; they only care if guilt can be proven with evidence. Director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari handles this core idea decently, building a steady narrative that leads to a very satisfying climax. The underlying revenge plot and the courtroom drama blend naturally.

Both Sonakshi Sinha and Jyothika fit perfectly into their roles and deliver fantastic performances. Jyothika’s emotional backstory hits the right notes. Meanwhile, the courtroom face-off scenes between Sonakshi and her on-screen father bring some tension to the proceedings. The story keeps unveiling new angles as it progresses, which keeps things interesting. The supporting cast also does a fine job keeping the drama grounded.

Minus Points:

The plot will immediately remind Telugu audiences of Allari Naresh’s hit film Naandhi. If you’ve seen that movie, the core conflict here won’t feel completely fresh.

The makers could have designed punchier, more intense argument scenes in the courtroom to create a heavier impact. Instead, a lot of the legal exchanges feel a bit too simple. The first half also moves quite slowly. While it takes this time to set up the main conflict for the second half, a more gripping start would have definitely helped the pacing.

Technical Aspects:

The production values are great. The natural sets give the courtroom scenes a highly realistic feel. Rangarajan Ramabadran’s camerawork and the background music suit the serious tone perfectly. The editing is decent, and the Telugu dubbing work is surprisingly smooth and clean.

Director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari executes her vision without creating any confusion, keeping the viewer engaged. The story and screenplay by Harman Baweja and Arun Kumar work decently. However, as mentioned earlier, sharper legal arguments would have elevated the whole experience.

Verdict:

Overall, System is a decent revenge-driven courtroom drama. It highlights the flaws in the justice system and shows the stark difference in how the law treats the powerful versus the weak. Jyothika and Sonakshi Sinha carry the film beautifully. Although a few scenes could have been stronger and the first half is slow, it remains a satisfying legal thriller. You can stream this on Prime Video this weekend.

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

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Review: Purushaha – Clicks to an extent

by narendhar

Movie Name : Purushaha

Release Date : May 22, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Battula Pawan Kalyan, Sapthagiri, Kasireddy Rajkumar, Rayancha Kokkura, Vishika, Hasini Sudheer, Vennela Kishore, Rajiv Kanakala, VTV Ganesh, Ananth Sriram, Pammi Sai, Mirchi Kiran
Director : Veeru Vulavala
Producer : Battula Koteswara Rao
Music Director : Shravan Bharadwaj
Cinematographer : Satish Mutyala
Editor : Koti
Related Links : Trailer

Battula Pawan Kalyan plays the lead role in the new family comedy-drama Purushaha, directed by Veeru Vulavala and produced by Battula Koteswara Rao. The movie hit the screens today. Let’s find out how it is.

Story:

Govind (Battula Pawan Kalyan), Sattibabu (Sapthagiri), and Srinu (Kasireddy Rajkumar) are close childhood friends who stick together even after getting married. However, everyday problems start affecting their married lives. Govind and Kamala (Rayancha Kokkura) get married after falling in love. But after the wedding, Kamala strongly suspects that Govind still hasn’t forgotten his ex-girlfriend, Rosy.

Satti and Srinu also face similar trust issues, which eventually push all three husbands away from their wives. Following a series of dramatic events, the three friends end up at the court seeking a divorce. What exactly did their wives do to them? What mistake did these three men commit? The rest of the story reveals whether the couples finally patch things up or separate for good.

Plus Points:

The movie revolves around an interesting question: what happens when a wife finds out about her husband’s past love life? The struggles of husbands and the clashes between couples offer decent entertainment. Punch dialogues like, “When a wife scolds her husband, he becomes more powerful,” will likely connect with the male audience.

Battula Pawan Kalyan neatly fits the role, Govind. He displays good body language, neat dialogue delivery, and performs very well in the flashback episodes. Govind’s marriage track, the characters linked to it, and the surrounding comedy scenes work out. Overall, the husband-wife comedy track manages to keep the audience reasonably engaged.

However, the film’s biggest strength is the performances of Vennela Kishore, Sapthagiri, and Kasireddy Rajkumar. The trio uses their comedy timing to generate good laughs in several scenes. Heroine Rayancha Kokkura acts very well and stands out as a major glamour attraction. Vishika and Hasini Sudheer also do full justice to their roles, adding to the visual appeal. Rajiv Kanakala and VTV Ganesh leave their usual mark. Ananth Sriram acts well, though his character could have been written better. Pammi Sai, Mirchi Kiran, and the rest of the cast perform adequately within their limits.

Minus Points:

The main issue is that the screenplay of Purushaha is very slow. The main conflict isn’t effective, and it’s hard to emotionally connect with the main characters. Additionally, the hero’s journey lacks a proper graph, which acts as a major drawback. Even though the director’s taking and the actors’ performances bring some interest, the not-so-exciting narrative and sluggish pacing drag the film down.

The story frequently gets sidelined by unnecessary scenes. The second half, in particular, moves at a snail’s pace and tests the audience’s patience. While a few comedy and romantic scenes work in this emotional family drama, the rest of the content simply doesn’t work. Trimming the runtime would have enhanced the impact of the film significantly. Crucial scenes end up feeling completely routine.

Technical Aspects:

Director Veeru Vulavala impresses with his taking. He uses graphics well to match the emotional tone of the scenes. While the core idea of mixing fun with family emotions is good, the narrative doesn’t maintain a steady flow, especially in the screenplay. Some entertaining portions exist, but emotional moments don’t quite hit the mark.

Shravan Bharadwaj provides a decent soundtrack. On the visual front, cinematographer Satish Mutyala captures the natural locations beautifully. However, the editing definitely needed to be much sharper. Producer Battula Koteswara Rao hasn’t compromised on the production values, and the movie looks rich on screen.

Verdict:

On the whole, Purushaha is a family comedy drama that works only in bits and pieces. The relatable marital struggles and some comedy scenes work. However, a dragged-out narrative, lack of interesting elements in the second half, and a slow-paced screenplay bring the movie down. Purushaha offers a few scattered laughs and romantic moments, but doesn’t fully live up to its promising premise.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Ramani Kalyanam – A Routine Drama With Weak Emotions

by narendhar

Movie Name : Ramani Kalyanam

Release Date : May 22, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Deepshikha Chandran, Surya Vashistta, Srinivasa Reddy, Chaitu Jonnalagadda, Shyamala, Prabhavathi
Director : Vijay Adireddy
Producer : Kites Creatives
Music Director : Sooraj S Kurup
Cinematographers : Vijay Polaki, Sherif.M
Editor : Raviteja Girijala
Related Links : Trailer

Ramani Kalyanam is the latest Telugu film starring Surya Vashistta and Deepshikha Chandran in the lead roles. Directed by Vijay Adireddy, the film hit the big screens today. Here’s our review to find out how it fares.

Story:

Sanjana (Deepshikha Chandran) loses her eyesight in a car accident during her childhood. Meanwhile, Raj (Surya Vashistta), who dreams of playing cricket at the national level, loses his legs in a tragic incident just after getting selected. How do these two fall in love, and how does their relationship evolve? What is the other medical condition Raj suffers from? Did the two eventually get married or not? And what is the shocking truth Sanjana discovers toward the end? The rest of the film revolves around these questions.

Plus Points:

The two young lead actors deliver decent performances in the film. As the story progresses, there is visible improvement in both of their performances. Deepshikha Chandran looks beautiful on screen and carries her role well throughout the film. Surya Vashistta also performs well in a challenging role and maintains a decent screen presence.

Srinivasa Reddy, Shyamala, and the rest of the supporting cast perform well within the scope of their roles. Compared to the emotional portions earlier in the film, the final few minutes are handled in a better manner. A couple of twists planned toward the end also work reasonably well.

Another major highlight of the film is its music. The songs have been composed very well, and the credit clearly goes to the music director for enhancing the overall experience.

Minus Points:

With two differently abled lead characters at its core, the film had good scope for a much stronger emotional narrative that could have kept audiences emotionally invested throughout. However, that aspect is largely missing here. Though the makers designed a love story between the lead pair, the emotional connection between them does not come across effectively.

Except for the climax portion, the film hardly offers emotionally moving moments. Some dialogues delivered by the hero in the first half, along with a few illogical scenes, end up feeling silly. The basic storyline also gives shades of the film Anand.

Apart from that, the narrative remains predictable for the most part. Many scenes can easily be guessed by the audience within the first few minutes, and the film continues in a similar fashion. Had the love track between the lead pair been written with stronger emotions, the chemistry between them would have worked much better.

The second half also feels stretched in several places. A scene involving the heroine driving a car comes across as unnatural. Such moments turn out to be disappointing factors in the film.

Technical Aspects:

The production values in the film are fine. Suraj S. Kurup’s music turns out to be one of the biggest strengths of the film. All the songs composed by him are impressive and blend well with the narrative. Aravind Theerthakovel’s cinematography is adequate, while Ravi Teja Girijala’s editing is passable.

Coming to director Vijay Adireddy, he handled the casting and characterisation of the lead roles fairly well. However, the drama surrounding those characters needed to be much stronger. Except for the climax portion, the rest of the narrative feels flat. The film neither delivers strong emotions nor presents the love story in a refreshing manner. Considering the potential of the premise, his work could have been much better.

Verdict:

On the whole, Ramani Kalyanam is a routine drama that has a few passable elements in the form of its music and lead performances, but the film largely suffers from a flat and predictable narrative. Despite having a premise with emotional potential, the director fails to explore it in an engaging manner and instead settles for a simplistic treatment. Barring a few scenes towards the end, the film struggles to leave an impact.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Mohanlal’s Drishyam 3 – Falls Short of the Franchise Magic

by narendhar

Drishyam 3

Movie Name : Drishyam 3

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

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