Telugu Movie Reviews

Review: Mr. Work From Home – Dull and tiresome

by narendhar May 16, 2026

Movie Name : Mr. Work From Home

Release Date : May 15, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2/5
Starring : Trigun, Payal Radhakrishna, Anish Kuruvilla, Satya Krishnan, Harshavardhan, Shivaji Raja, Venu Yeldandi
Director : Madhudeep Chelikaani
Producer : Arvind Mandem
Music Director : Arun Chiluveru
Cinematographer : Ravi Kumar.V
Editor : Kotagiri Venkateshwararao

Related Links : Trailer

Trigun and Payal Radhakrishna teamed up for an emotional family drama titled Mr. Work From Home. The film hit the screens today. Let’s see how it is.

Story:

Aravind (Trigun) firmly believes that managing life entirely through a “work from home” setup is the true mark of success. His routine gets a major shake-up when Mahi (Payal Radhakrishna) enters his life. Soon, Aravind’s work-from-home lifestyle triggers unexpected challenges regarding his family relationships and personal beliefs. How do things change for him after marriage? What exactly causes the friction between Aravind and Mahi, and where does his life end up? The rest of the movie answers these questions.

Plus Points:

The film manages to get a few family and romantic emotions right. The scenes leading up to the interval are decent and hold a bit of promise.

Trigun fits his role well, maintaining good looks and a suitable physique for the character of a home-bound professional. Payal Radhakrishna also delivers a neat performance as the female lead. The supporting cast, including Anish Kuruvilla, Satya Krishnan, Harshavardhan, and Shivaji Raja, does justice to their respective roles.

Minus Points:

The biggest issue with Mr. Work From Home is its incredibly slow screenplay, which fails to keep us engaged. The core conflict lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the main characters despite good performances. Additionally, the hero’s character arc feels poorly written and flat.

It’s highly doubtful that today’s generation will show interest in such a routine, old-school emotional drama. The story simply lacks freshness. While the director handles a few scenes decently, he completely ignores the heavy lag that plagues the narrative.

The lack of novelty, a dragged second half, and too many unnecessary scenes heavily dilute the plot. Even with a few okay comedy and romantic bits scattered around, the movie completely misses out on holding the attention as a whole.

Technical Aspects:

The core emotional idea is okay, but the execution is highly uninteresting. Prakash Cherukuri’s music is strictly average and doesn’t add much value. However, the cinematography by Ravi Kumar V stands out, capturing the natural visuals and indoor setups beautifully. The editing is fine, though the pacing needed a much tighter trim. Producer Aravind Mandem ensures good production values, making the film look visually pleasing despite its flaws.

Verdict:

Overall, Mr. Work From Home is a slow, predictable, and old-school emotional family drama. With a dragged-out narrative, uninteresting elements in the second half, and lack of depth in the core conflict, the movie becomes a tiresome watch. You can safely skip this one.

123telugu.com Rating: 2/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

May 16, 2026

Review: Godari Gattupaina – Works in parts

by narendhar May 9, 2026

Movie Name : Godari Gattupaina

Release Date : May 08, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Sumanth Prabhas, Nidhi Pradeep and others
Director : Subash Chandra
Producer : Abhinav Rao
Music Director : Naga Vamshi
Cinematographer : Saai Santosh
Editor : Anil Pasala
Related Links : Trailer

Sumanth Prabhas has now come up with the romantic drama Godari Gattupaina. Let’s see how the film is.

Story:

Raju (Sumanth Prabhas) belonging to Velpuru is an auto driver. He accidentally meets engineering student Maaya (Nidhi Pradeep) and falls in love with her. Initially, Maaya hates Raju, but slowly she develops feelings for him. However, Maaya doesn’t do anything that her father Sam Babu (Jagapathi Babu) dislikes. How Raju wins Maaya’s hand in marriage forms the rest of the story.

Plus Points:

Music is the quintessential aspect of any love story, and Godari Gattupaina gets this element right. The first half almost feels like a musical entertainer with back-to-back songs that are soothing to listen to and pleasant to watch. Music drives the proceedings for most of the first half.

Sumanth Prabhas did a fine job in Godari Gattupaina. His effort to ace the Godavari slang is visible. As Sumanth stated in the interviews, the film tries to portray an auto driver as innocent and a good soul, avoiding the usual mass angle, which adds freshness to the character.

Debutant Nidhi Pradeep is neat in her role. She displayed conviction in her performance and appeared confident throughout the film. The drama during the last half-an-hour is decent. Sudarshan evokes some laughs here and there with his comic timing.

Minus Points:

Apart from the love story, Godari Gattupaina also aims to showcase a father-daughter bond, but the movie doesn’t do proper justice to this aspect. More scenes highlighting the bond could have been included to bring the desired impact at the end. Jagapathi Babu’s screen time should have been increased by reducing some unnecessary scenes.

There isn’t anything fresh or magical about the love story, with the scenes being quite normal in nature. The conflict point between the lead pair comes suddenly and should have had proper establishment beforehand. Given the plot, Godari Gattupaina feels too long, and it could have been easily 20 minutes shorter.

There is a block that revolves around a false rape accusation, and the entire sequence isn’t treated sensibly. A dialogue by the hero’s father casually brushes aside the damage a false accusation can cause to a man while only treating the woman’s reputation as serious. These lines come across as disrespectful, and this portion should have had a more balanced approach.

Technical Aspects:

Naga Vamshi’s music is the heart and soul of Godari Gattupaina, with almost every song striking a chord. The euphonious soundtrack, backed by Saai Santosh’s cinematography depicting the Godavari backdrop, makes the film somewhat work. The editing is below-par.

The production values are neat. Direction by Subash Chandra could have been much better. The culmination happens well, but the scenes leading up to the finale are underwhelming.

Verdict:

On the whole, Godari Gattupaina is a regular love story with only a few moments clicking, but it does have a very good album. Sumanth Prabhas and female lead Nidhi Pradeep did well in their respective roles, and the pre-climax to climax stretch works. However, the routine love scenes, prolonged duration, and some problematic portions work against the film.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

May 9, 2026

Review: Lavanya Tripathi’s Sathi Leelavathi – Promising Idea, Messy Execution

by narendhar May 9, 2026

Movie Name : Sathi Leelavathi

Release Date : May 08, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Lavanya Tripathi Konidela, Dev Mohan, Naresh, VTV Ganesh, Sapthagiri, Motta Rajendran, Jaffer Sadiq, Tagubothu Ramesh, Joshi and others.
Director : Tatineni Satya
Producer : Nagaa Mohan
Music Director : Mickey J Meyer
Cinematographer : Binendra Menon
Editor : Sathish Surya
Related Links : Trailer

Lavanya Tripathi has now come up with the family drama Sathi Leelavathi. Let’s see how the film is.

Story:

Sathi Leelavathi follows Leela (Lavanya Tripathi), a film director who marries Ram Sethu (Dev Mohan), whom she has known since childhood. However, their married life runs into problems, forcing Leela to take a shocking step. What is it? Did the lead pair separate, or did they solve their issues? The rest of the story unfolds around these questions.

Plus Points:

Lavanya Tripathi did a very fine job as Leela. The first half showcases the crazy and eccentric side of the female lead, and these scenes are mildly engaging. The witty face-off scenes between the lead pair work decently.

Comparatively, the first half of the film is bearable, and a few fun scenes work well here. Jaffar Sadiq generates some laughs, and the movie begins on a promising note.

Minus Points:

Sathi Leelavathi attempts to portray the issues in married life, but the film loses steam after the midway mark. The first half revolves largely around the lead pair, but the focus shifts to multiple subplots and comedy tracks in the latter hour, deviating from the primary point.

The fun episodes hardly work in the second half, making the film difficult to sit through. The entire episode featuring Saptagiri fails to create the intended impact, while Motta Rajendran’s track involving adult web shows turns irritating.

The emotional angle that emerges towards the end lacks both depth and logic. However, the biggest issue with the film is that it is made to appease family audiences, yet several dialogues carry double-meaning humor, defeating the very purpose the film tries to serve.

Dev Mohan looked neat, but his Telugu dubbing feels completely off and ends up affecting his performance. Madonna Sebastian is wasted in a poorly written role. VTV Ganesh and Naresh don’t have much to do.

Technical Aspects:

Micky J Meyer did a decent job, and the wedding song in the first half is good. Cinematography by Binendra Menon is effective, and production values are neat. Some portions could have been shortened in the second half.

Tatineni Satya chose a relevant subject, but his narration is neither entertaining nor engaging. After a point, the film runs out of ideas and drifts into unnecessary portions, taking away from the decent premise.

Verdict:

On the whole, Sathi Leelavathi turns out to be an underwhelming family entertainer. Despite dealing with a relevant subject, the film is weighed down by unnecessary comedy tracks in the second half. Lavanya Tripathi delivers a good performance, and the film starts on a promising note with some fun moments. However, the chaotic second half deviates from the core theme and ultimately weakens the overall impact.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

May 9, 2026

Review: Ravi Babu’s Razor – Action Clicks, Content Doesn’t

by narendhar May 9, 2026

Movie Name : Razor

Release Date : May 08, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Ravi Babu, Tanish, Inaya Sultana, Baby Tejal Vikhyathi, Banerjee, Veeranna Chowdary, Ramaraju and others.
Director : Ravi Babu
Producers : Ravi Babu, Daggubati Suresh Babu
Music Director : Rajesh S S
Cinematographer : Bhalla Satyanarayana
Editor : Rithvik Thammareddy
Related Links : Trailer

Ravi Babu is well-known as one of Tollywood’s most creative and underrated directors. Stepping away from his usual genres, his latest theatrical release is an action-packed film titled Razor. Let’s see if this movie helps him bounce back.

Story:

Home Minister Kanakaraju (Veeranna Chowdary) demands the Chief Minister’s seat from the current CM, Sitaramayya (Ramaraju). When Sitaramayya refuses, Kanakaraju and his sons assassinate him. A CCTV business owner named Vishnu (Tanish) accidentally gets hold of the murder footage. Because of this, Vishnu’s young daughter, Teju (Baby Tejal Vikhyathi), gets dragged into a deadly trap. Enter Rudra Pratap (Ravi Babu), a mobile pet groomer, who steps in as the little girl’s savior. Who exactly is Rudra Pratap? What is his dark past, and how does he stop the Home Minister? You have to watch the movie to find out.

Plus Points:

Ravi Babu’s action avatar is the biggest highlight of the film. His dynamic personality perfectly fits the heavy action sequences, and his hard work is clearly visible on screen. The gritty car shed fight sequence stands out as a major high point. He also surprises everyone with his emotional performance, especially during a hard-hitting family flashback in the second half.

The first half maintains a solid pace, blending intense action with an interesting mind game. Baby Tejal Vikhyathi delivers a wonderful performance, carrying the emotional weight of the film with her expressive face. Veeranna Chowdary, Tanish, and the rest of the supporting cast do a decent job in their respective roles.

Minus Points:

Despite a fast-paced start, the screenplay quickly falls into a highly predictable, routine format. Within the first few minutes, you can easily guess exactly where the story is heading.

The film suffers from glaring logical errors. For instance, a missing child creates a state-wide sensation, yet the police remain entirely clueless. Hiding crucial video evidence inside a child’s toy also feels incredibly outdated for a modern thriller.

After a somewhat engaging first half, the second half becomes noticeably dull. The energy of the action sequences drops, and the pacing drags. Furthermore, Ravi Babu’s dialogue delivery feels repetitive at times. During a serious gang meeting scene, his delivery style makes a tense moment feel unintentionally funny. Additionally, the heavy violence might make family audiences uncomfortable.

Technical Aspects:

The production values are decent, and the overall production design looks fine. However, the visual effects look weak in several frames. Rajesh SS provides a passable background score, though a few moments sound genuinely good. Bhalla Satyanarayana’s camerawork and Rithvik Thammareddy’s editing are adequate.

Coming to director Ravi Babu, this is a brave action attempt compared to his usual comedy and horror flicks. He designed his signature scenes well, but he severely compromised on logic. Satyanand’s screenplay works initially but loses steam entirely in the second half.

Verdict:

On the whole, Razor is an action-heavy drama that ends up as a below-average watch. Ravi Babu shines with his physical presence and stunts, but a highly predictable plot, major logical errors, and a sluggish second half pull the film down. It has very few Ravi Babu-mark scenes, and hence, audiences should keep their expectations very low if they plan to give it a try.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

May 9, 2026

Review: Satya’s Jetlee – A bumpy ride that works only in bits

by narendhar May 2, 2026

Movie Name : Jetlee

Release Date : May 01, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Satya, Rhea Singha, Vennela Kishore, Ajay and others
Director : Ritesh Rana
Producers : Chiranjeevi, Hemalatha Pedamallu
Music Director : Kaala Bhairava
Cinematographer : Suresh Sarangam
Editor : Karthika Srinivas
Related Links : Trailer

Jetlee is the latest outing from director Ritesh Rana, known for his quirky brand of comedy. With Satya taking the lead this time, the film arrives with a fair bit of curiosity. Let’s see how it fares.

Story:

Pragapathi (Ajay) runs a bank that collapses under a loss of Rs. 15,000 crore. After provoking Harish Chandra (Subhalekha Sudhakar), he flees to Dubai. Agent Shivani Roy (Rhea Singha) and her team set out to bring him back to India, boarding a flight where Jetlee (Satya) is also present. However, Jetlee suddenly loses his memory. Meanwhile, an attack targets Pragapathi. What follows, along with the mystery behind Jetlee’s identity and his presence on the flight, forms the rest of the narrative.

Plus Points:

Satya once again proves why he is one of the most dependable comedians. His screen presence and timing naturally evoke laughter, and he gets a relatively substantial role here. He manages to carry the film in several portions, blending comedy with a bit of action.

Vennela Kishore gets a well written role and delivers effectively. His innocent demeanor and interactions with Satya generate consistent humour. The movie puzzle book track and his timely responses land well and add to the entertainment.

Rhea Singha is decent in her part. Harsha Chemudu is underused but manages to draw a few laughs. Ajay and the rest of the supporting cast are adequate.

The film includes meme based elements like visual inserts during TV sequences, hidden references, and QR based jokes. While these are fewer compared to the director’s earlier works, they still manage to evoke occasional smiles.

Minus Points:

The premise is fairly simple, but the execution lets it down. The writing lacks depth and freshness, relying on familiar ideas and predictable phrasing. There is a noticeable sense of repetition, with several scenes reiterating the same beats without adding anything new. At times, the narrative even contradicts itself, leading to inconsistency.

The screenplay is sluggish and uneven. Ritesh Rana attempts to balance comedy and action, but the blend does not come together effectively, resulting in a film that feels both confused and underwhelming. A tighter and more focused screenplay could have significantly improved the experience.

While Satya performs well, this is not among his best works. His character could have been explored better. In fact, many characters lack proper depth and purpose. Ritesh is known for extracting humour from every character, but that strength is largely missing here.

After a passable first half, the second half turns increasingly stretched and exhausting. The narrative drags, and the pacing dips noticeably. The climax feels forced and lacks the signature touch seen in the director’s earlier films.

Technical Aspects:

The issue lies more in the writing than the direction. Ritesh Rana’s script does not have the sharpness expected from him. The cinematography is decent and supports the setting well. Editing is a major drawback, as the film feels longer than its actual runtime due to loose narration and unnecessary scenes. Production values are acceptable, while the CG work could have been handled more convincingly. The background score works to an extent.

Verdict:

On the whole, Jetlee is a bumpy ride that works only in bits and pieces. Satya’s performance is the primary factor that keeps it afloat, but it is not enough to fully salvage the experience. The weak writing, repetitive narration, and sluggish second half weigh the film down significantly. This ends up being one of Ritesh Rana’s weaker efforts. There are other options to be entertained.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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May 2, 2026

Review: Gaayapadda Simham – Promising Premise, Underwhelming Payoff

by narendhar May 2, 2026

Movie Name : Gaayapadda Simham

Release Date : May 1, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Sree Vishnu, Tharun Bhascker,J.D.Chakravarthy,Faria Abdullah,Maanasa Choudhary,Kasyap Sreenivas,
Vishnu Oi, Harshavardhan, Subhalekha Sudhakar
Director : Kasyap Sreenivas
Producers : Kalyana Chakravarthy Manthina, Bhanu Kiran Pratapa, Vijay Krishna Lingamaneni, Umesh Kumar Bansal
Music Director : Sweekar Agasthi
Cinematographer : Vidya Sagar Chinta
Editor : Viplav Nyshadam
Related Links : Trailer

Tharun Bhascker has now come up with the comedy drama Gaayapadda Simham. The movie marks the directorial debut of Kashyap Sreenivas. The film has been promoted quite well, and let’s see how it is.

Story:

Darahas (Tharun Bhascker) and YouTuber Shalini (Faria Abdullah) meet through a matchmaking setup, and soon they decide to get married. However, Shalini gets to know that Darahas and her father IG Vijayakanth (Subhaleka Sudhakar) have known each other for a long time. When asked about the same, Vijayakanth starts narrating about Darahas’ past and his connection to gangster Brutal Dharma (JD Chakravarthy).

Plus Points:

Gayapadda Simham features one of the most bizarre and crazy plotlines from Tollywood, and this initially draws our attention into the film’s world. To be able to think something different is definitely appreciable.

Tharun Bhascker is good as Darahas, a youngster who aims to take revenge on POTUS, Donald Trump. Director Kasyap Sreenivas plays a full-length role as the hero’s friend, and he did well. Some scenes evoke decent laughs here and there.

Minus Points:

Gaayapadda Simham aims to be a wacky and eccentric entertainer, but the narrative doesn’t quite pack a punch. Apart from a handful of gags, nothing really works much.

The first half moves at a slow pace, and this part introduces the key characters and their goals, acting as a setup for the chaos and madness that we expect to come. But the way the film ends is disappointing and dull. With such a crazy idea, we expect the goofiness and quirkiness to explode in the second half, but the movie doesn’t fully tap into its potential.

Initially, Sree Vishnu’s role shows promise, and the scenes depicting his peculiar family work to an extent, but the way the character is wrapped up is very underwhelming. The ending fails to live up to the setup established at the beginning. The same goes for JD Chakravarthy’s character. The actor got very less moments to shine, and that’s about it.

The final act mostly relies on spoof comedy, and it doesn’t land as intended. Attempts to generate fun through KGF’s narrative style, and the digs at Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe don’t quite hit the mark. Female leads Manasa Choudhary and Faria Abdullah have very little to do in the narrative.

Technical Aspects:

Sweekar Agasthi’s music is okay, while cinematography by Vidya Sagar Chinta is neat. The production values are good, and editing needed more fine-tuning.

Director Kasyap Sreenivas has come up with a whimsical idea, but the presentation isn’t up to the mark to leave an impact. Very few moments click, and perhaps he should have gone ahead with wacky comedy instead of the parody approach towards the end.

Verdict:

On the whole, Gaayapadda Simham features a very interesting idea, but the execution is underwhelming, with only some scenes generating laughs. The movie promises a wacky ride initially, but the way it concludes lacks the desired impact. Tharun Bhascker did a fine job, and the second half starts well, but the film falls flat as it moves into the parody zone. Had the narrative been handled with more care, the movie would have realized its full potential.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

May 2, 2026

Review: Mammootty’s Patriot – Spy Thriller That Works in Parts

by narendhar May 1, 2026

Movie Name : Patriot

Release Date : May 01, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, Revathi and others
Director : Mahesh Narayanan
Producers : Anto Joseph, K. G. Anil Kumar
Music Director : Sushin Shyam
Cinematographer : Manush Nandan
Editors : Mahesh Narayanan, Rahul Radhakrishnan
Related Links : Trailer

After nearly 18 years, Mollywood legends Mammootty and Mohanlal reunite for the spy action thriller Patriot. Directed by Mahesh Narayanan, the film arrives with high expectations. Here is how it fares.

Story:

Dr. Daniel Joseph (Mammootty), a research scientist at the Defence Research Wing, uncovers a covert spyware network operating through laptops distributed to underprivileged students. The devices, linked to Minister JP Sundaram’s (Rajiv Menon) son Shakti Sundaram (Fahadh Faasil), are embedded with a surveillance program called Periscope that tracks users relentlessly. When a young girl becomes a victim, the stakes escalate. Branded a threat, Daniel escapes to London to expose the truth. Captured and on the run, he navigates a web of deception as deeper layers of the conspiracy unravel. At a crucial juncture, Colonel Rahim Saheb (Mohanlal) enters the narrative, emerging as a key force whose connection to the operation adds weight to Daniel’s mission. The story ultimately follows Daniel’s fight to expose the company behind the spyware and the government backing it.

Plus Points:

The biggest strength of the film is watching Mammootty and Mohanlal share screen space again. Mammootty delivers a composed and authoritative performance, bringing weight to the film’s core theme of privacy and governance. His presence adds credibility and depth to several key moments.

Mohanlal appears in the latter half and makes a noticeable impact, even though his role is limited. The scenes featuring both legends are engaging and carry a certain emotional weight for fans.

Kunchacko Boban plays a significant role and leaves a good impression. Zarin Shihab is effective in her part. Fahadh Faasil, as the antagonist, brings a controlled performance, though the character itself lacks depth.

The film raises relevant and unsettling questions about digital surveillance. It effectively conveys how everyday devices can intrude into personal lives, and how systems meant for public welfare can be misused for control and political advantage. These portions feel grounded and thought provoking.

Minus Points:

Despite a strong premise, the film struggles with consistency. It opens well but loses grip midway, briefly regains momentum, and then falls into a similar uneven rhythm in the second half. This fluctuation affects immersion.

The narrative needed sharper writing and tighter execution. A more focused approach could have sustained the tension throughout.

The emotional layer remains underdeveloped, which limits the film’s impact. Nayanthara’s role feels underwritten and does not contribute meaningfully to the story. Fahadh Faasil’s character, while effective in parts, deserved a stronger arc to elevate the conflict.

Technical Aspects:

Mahesh Narayanan deserves credit for choosing a relevant subject and presenting it with intent. However, the screenplay could have been more refined and cohesive. More shared screen time between Mammootty and Mohanlal would have enhanced the experience.

Manush Nandan’s cinematography is functional. Sushin Shyam’s background score stands out and adds intensity to several sequences. Editing is serviceable but could have been tighter to avoid the dragging portions. Production values are solid and reflect the scale of the project.

Verdict:

On the whole, Patriot is a concept driven thriller that works in parts. Mammootty anchors the film with a strong performance, while Mohanlal adds value in a brief but effective role. The film’s take on privacy and surveillance is relevant, but uneven pacing and underwritten characters hold it back from being consistently engaging. It ends up as just an okay watch that might appeal more to those interested in its theme than its storytelling.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

May 1, 2026

Review: Dhanush’s Kara – Familiar plot, Satisfactory execution

by narendhar April 30, 2026

Movie Name : Kara

Release Date : April 30, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Dhanush, Mamitha Baiju, K.S. Ravikumar, Karunas, Jayaram, Prithvi Pandiarajan, Suraj Venjaramoodu, M.S. Baskar, Sreeja Ravi & Others.
Director : Vignesh Raja
Producer : Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh
Music Director : GV Prakash Kumar
Cinematographer : Theni Eswar ISC
Editor : Sreejith Sarang
Related Links : Trailer

Dhanush has now come up with the rural heist thriller Kara. The film is directed by Vignesh Raja of Por Thozhil fame. Let’s see how the movie is.

Story:

Karasaami (Dhanush), a thief, leaves his family behind and marries Malli (Mamitha Baiju). The duo works at a small hotel in Renigunta, Andhra Pradesh, to make a living. However, Karasaami is not satisfied with his financial situation. He returns to his father, Kandhasaamy (K. S. Ravikumar), seeking financial support. There, he learns that his father is trapped in a debt spiral after taking a bank loan. Karasaami realizes that banks are exploiting innocent farmers and decides to rob them. The rest of the story follows Karasaami’s attempts at robbery.

Plus Points:

The best part about Kara is that it sticks to its core theme from the beginning without deviating from the storyline. Even during the ordinary scenes, we stay glued to the screen since the narrative remains focused.

The heist episodes are designed superbly and are sure to keep us on the edge of our seats. Especially, the interval sequence is brilliantly executed and whistle-worthy. What makes these sequences more engaging is that the film initially portrays the protagonist’s failed attempts and vulnerability rather than presenting him as an unstoppable force, making the character arc feel natural. The cat-and-mouse game between Dhanush and the cops is nicely written and delivered.

To avoid a repetitive feel, Vignesh Raja constantly throws new challenges at the hero, making each theft sequence distinct from the other. Dhanush is a gem of an actor who can never go wrong with his performance. With Kara, he once again proves why he is hailed as an actor par excellence. Be it his intensity in the thrilling robbery scenes or his subtlety in emotional moments, Dhanush delivers his A-game throughout.

The emotional moments between the father and son work well in the first half. GV Prakash Kumar’s background score is scintillating and aligns perfectly with the narrative. His score elevates the impact effectively in several key moments. Suraj Venjaramoodu is stunning as a cop, highly determined to catch the thief. KS Ravi Kumar is solid in the father role, while Jayaram is too good as the regional bank manager. Karunas and others did well, too.

Minus Points:

The heist moments are undoubtedly brilliant, but the driving force behind the robbery scenes is the exploitation by banks through high interest rates and other charges. This theme has been explored multiple times in mainstream cinema, with the recent example being Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan. While the core idea isn’t entirely new and may remind viewers of older films at times, the presentation keeps the proceedings engaging.

The director takes his time establishing the key characters and the central conflict, which makes parts of the first half feel slow-paced. The Telugu dubbing could have been better, as the dialogues occasionally sound a bit odd.

Mamitha Baiju appears convincing as a village belle, but she is underutilized. She gets limited screen time, and the emotional scenes in the latter half needed more impact to elevate the narrative further. In the end, Kara enters a Robin Hood-esque zone, which could have been avoided.

Technical Aspects:

GV Prakash Kumar’s songs may not have worked well as standalone tracks, but they fit the narrative effectively. As mentioned earlier, the background score is one of the main highlights. Theni Eswar’s cinematography is impactful, as he neatly captures the rustic setting of the film. The editing is in sync with the director’s vision. The production design is impressive, showcasing the 90s vibes.

Director Vignesh Raja delivers on the screenplay front, even though the chosen premise isn’t unique. The rural setup and the consistent storytelling throughout the film keep us engaged for the most part.

Verdict:

On the whole, Kara is a satisfactory period heist thriller set against a rural backdrop. The subject isn’t fresh and has been explored several times before, but Vignesh Raja’s grounded narration and well-executed heist episodes keep the proceedings engaging. Dhanush is extraordinary and is well supported by Jayaram and Suraj Venjaramoodu. Mamitha Baiju has a limited scope, and the emotional moments in the second half needed more punch. If you like watching heist thrillers, this film can be given a try.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

April 30, 2026

Review: Thimmarajupalli TV – A Nostalgic Ride That Works in Parts

by narendhar April 18, 2026

Movie Name : Thimmarajupalli TV

Release Date : April 17, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Sai Tej, Vedha Jalandharr, Pradeep Kotte, Swathi Karimireddy, Amma Ramesh, Satyanarayana, Lathish
Director : V. Muniraju
Producer : Kiran Abbavaraam
Music Director : Vamsikanth Rekhana
Cinematographer : Akshay Ram Podishetti
Editor : V. Muniraju

Related Links : Trailer

Thimmarajupalli TV is a Telugu period drama produced by Kiran Abbavaram. Featuring debutants Sai Tej and Veda Jalandhar in the lead roles, the film arrives with a nostalgic premise set in a rural backdrop. Here’s how it fares.

Story:

Set in 1996 in the village of Thimmarajupalli, Satish (Sai Tej), a petty thief, is in love with Sharada (Veda Jalandhar). Every Maha Shivaratri, he arranges a television for the villagers, turning the occasion into a shared celebration. Meanwhile, village head Ramachandrayya (Amma Ramesh) dreams of being the first to own a TV, but Rajappa (Kotte Pradeep) beats him to it. What starts as a matter of pride soon turns into a burden, as Rajappa’s house becomes a constant gathering spot for the entire village. The situation escalates when a clash erupts between Satish and Rajappa, and the very next day, Rajappa’s TV goes missing, putting the blame on Satish. With the village council giving him two weeks to prove his innocence, Satish sets out to find the truth behind the missing TV, which forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

The film’s strongest aspect is its nostalgic premise. The idea of a single television bringing an entire village together is both relatable and interesting, and the film captures this innocence with sincerity. The reactions of villagers experiencing television for the first time feel organic.

Sai Tej puts in a sincere effort and manages to hold his part, especially in emotional scenes. Pradeep Kotte gets a more layered role and delivers a controlled performance that adds weight to the narrative. The supporting cast blends well into the setting and helps maintain the film’s grounded tone.

There are moments, particularly involving the mother-son relationship and the communal viewing scenes, that land effectively. These portions reflect the film’s potential and offer glimpses of emotional depth. The background score supports such scenes without becoming overpowering.

Minus Points:

Despite a promising setup, the film struggles with consistency. The narration frequently loses grip due to loosely written and unnecessary stretches that dilute the core conflict. This issue becomes more prominent in the second half, where the story demands urgency but moves at an uneven pace.

While the film introduces multiple characters, most of them remain underwritten. As a result, the performances, though sincere, do not translate into memorable moments.

The love story between the leads lacks depth and fails to create a strong emotional pull. Similarly, the exploration of village dynamics such as ego clashes, jealousy, and social tensions feels surface-level, limiting the overall impact of the drama.

Technical Aspects:

Director V. Muniraju chooses a rooted and interesting concept but does not fully capitalise on it due to an inconsistent screenplay. A tighter narrative structure and better scene transitions could have significantly improved engagement.

Vansikanth Rekhana’s music complements the film in key moments, particularly in emotional stretches. Akshay Ram Podishetti’s cinematography effectively captures the rural setting and enhances the nostalgic atmosphere. The production values are neat, and the art department does a commendable job in recreating the period setting authentically.

Verdict:

On the whole, Thimmarajupalli TV has a nostalgic core and a premise that holds genuine appeal, but uneven storytelling holds it back from reaching its full potential. While a few emotional and village-centric moments work well, the lack of narrative tightness and depth makes the experience inconsistent. It ends up as a partially entertaining watch rather than a truly engaging rural drama. Keeping expectations in check will help in appreciating its better moments.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

April 18, 2026

Review: Thiruveer’s Papam Prathap – Just for a few laughs

by narendhar April 18, 2026

Movie Name : Papam Prathap

Release Date : April 17, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Thiruveer, Ajay Ghosh, Raasi, Payal Radhakrishna, Devi Prasad, Goparaju Ramana, Ravi Anthony, Raghu Babu, Prasad Behra, Basha
Director : S.P. Durga Naresh
Producer : Gaddam Rakesh Reddy, Rudradev Madhi Reddy
Music Director : K.M. Radha Krishna
Cinematographer : Vishweshwar S.V
Editor : Anwar Ali

Related Links : Trailer

Thiruveer who gained reputation among the audiences with his choice of scripts has now come up with the village drama Papam Prathap. The movie is now out in theatres. Let’s see how it is.

Story:

Prathap (Thiruveer), who belongs to a rich family, marries the love of his life Bujjamma (Payal Radhakrishna) against his father’s (Ajay Gosh) wishes. Their married life starts on a great note, but things take a turn when Bujjamma leaves her in-laws, citing that Prathap has a significant health condition during sleep. What exactly is this problem? How long has Prathap been suffering from it? Is there a solution? Did the couple reunite? This forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

Thiruveer once again is impressive in a role filled with innocence. His gestures in the initial portions, along with the combo scenes with Ajay Gosh, offer some entertainment in the first half. His performance in emotional moments is fair enough.

Ajay Gosh is effective as the protagonist’s father. The senior elicits laughs with his frustration towards his son’s character. There are a few decent fun moments featuring him that make the first half passable to an extent.

Minus Points:

Initially, the director tries to create curiosity about the hero’s disorder, but when the revelation finally happens, it makes us wonder why the female lead hid it from the hero’s family for so long. The reason behind her silence isn’t convincing, and it makes the film feel unnecessarily dragged. The entertainment angle in the first half is also somewhat undone by heroine’s approach to the issue.

In the second half, the director shifts focus to emotions and drama, but unfortunately, nothing works here, and this portion is dull for the most part. The written material lacks logic and conviction, and hence the desired impact doesn’t land.

Payal Radhakrishna is good as a performer, but her role could have been written better. The way Ajay Gosh’s character behaves in the latter half doesn’t feel reasonable. The hero’s issue should have been depicted in a more detailed manner, along with its solution, since it is closely connected to the lead pair’s bonding.

Technical Aspects:

K.M. Radha Krishna’s music and Suresh Bobbili’s background score are okay. Vishweshwar’s cinematography is decent, and the production values are fine. The editing isn’t quite satisfactory, especially as the second half feels slow-paced and dragged.

Director S.P. Durga Nagesh came up with a relatively lesser known health disorder, but the screenplay needed more weight to make the film an engaging experience. The second half is where the actual drama begins but the scenes just don’t work.

Verdict:

On the whole, Papam Prathap is an okayish village drama where a few fun moments work. The makers should have come up with better execution to make the emotional angle around the hero’s health disorder more effective. Thiruveer is good in his role, while Ajay Gosh generates some laughs. The first half is passable, but the second half loses grip once the drama kicks in. With better writing, Papam Prathap could have gone to the next level.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

April 18, 2026

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