reviews

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

by narendhar June 5, 2026

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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June 5, 2026

Review: Mareechika – Psychological thriller that fails to hold attention

by narendhar May 29, 2026

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

Click Here For Telugu Review

May 29, 2026

Review: Arjun’s Blast Zone – Decent Action Ride

by narendhar May 29, 2026

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

Click Here For Telugu Review

May 29, 2026

Review: Purushaha – Clicks to an extent

by narendhar May 23, 2026

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

Click Here For Telugu Review

May 23, 2026

Review: Ramani Kalyanam – A Routine Drama With Weak Emotions

by narendhar May 23, 2026

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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May 23, 2026

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