Kayadu Lohar

The Paradise

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

by narendhar

The Paradise

Movie Name : The Paradise

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

Related Links : Trailer

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

Story:

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

Plus Points:

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

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

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

Minus Points:

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

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

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

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

Technical Aspects:

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

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

Verdict:

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

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Immortal – A promising concept with a flawed treatment

by narendhar

Movie Name : ​Immortal

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

Related Links : Trailer

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

Story:

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

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

Plus Points:

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

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

Minus Points:

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

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

Technical Aspects:

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

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

Verdict:

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

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Dulquer Salmaan’s I’m Game – High on Style, Low on Punch

by narendhar

Movie Name : I’m Game

Release Date : September 03, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Dulquer Salmaan, Kayadu Lohar, Mysskin, Antony Varghese and others
Director : Nahas Hidhayath
Producer : Dulquer Salmaan
Music Director : Jakes Bejoy
Cinematographer : Jimshi Khalid
Editor : Chaman Chakko

Related Links : Trailer

I’m Game is the latest Malayalam movie that hit the big screens today. Dulquer Salmaan has joined hands with RDX-fame director Nahas Hidhayath for this action thriller. Amid decent buzz, the film is out now, and here’s the review to find out how it fares.

Story:

Dan John (Dulquer Salmaan) is a compulsive gambler who loses everything and ends up drowning in debt. Refusing to back down, he turns to cricket betting, only to lose whatever little he has left. Frustrated and desperate to recover his money, Dan creates a massive ruckus, an act that ultimately leaves his life hanging by a thread.

Following the incident, he slips into a coma. When he eventually wakes up, everyone assumes he has returned to normal, but Dan soon discovers that something bizarre has happened to him. What exactly happened to Dan? What is this strange phenomenon he has encountered, and how does he deal with the chaos that follows? The rest of the story reveals the answers.

Plus Points:

Dulquer Salmaan is well known for picking movies with fresh and interesting ideas. He has good taste in stories, and I’m Game is another honest try in that direction. The main plot feels new and makes people curious right from the start. That freshness is one of the biggest strengths of the movie.

Dulquer gives a very good performance, and there is almost nothing to complain about his acting. He puts in a lot of hard work, especially during the interval scene, which looks great on screen. The unusual story also gives him enough room to show different emotions and shades of his character.

Kayadu Lohar looks good on screen, and her scenes with Dulquer work well enough. Mysskin does a decent job as the villain, and Samyuktha Vishwanath leaves a good mark despite her small role. Antony Varghese enters in the second half and delivers a solid, emotional performance that helps the movie.

The background music, camera work, and fast editing in the fight scenes make the film look clean and stylish. All the technical departments come together nicely to give the movie a grand, commercial look.

Minus Points:

The story idea is fresh, but the way it is told on screen is quite normal. The first half sets up the plot nicely and brings in a big twist, which creates high hopes for the rest of the film. However, the second half slowly loses its grip because many scenes feel repeated and the story becomes easy to guess.

The action scenes are fun at the beginning, but they soon feel boring because you always know what is going to happen next. The director and writer should have added more surprises here to keep the excitement alive. Also, the cricket betting angle has been seen in many movies before, and the film does not show anything truly new with that topic.

The lengthy runtime is another big problem for the film. A story like this does not need nearly three hours to finish. Cutting about twenty to thirty minutes would have made the film much faster and far more enjoyable to watch.

Mysskin does an okay job, but his character needed a stronger presence to feel scary. A younger and more stylish villain could have made the hero-villain clash much more intense. As it stands, his role does not leave the kind of punch you expect from a main bad guy.

Technical Aspects:

The director, Nahas Hidhayath, starts with an exciting story idea, but he struggles to turn it into a non-stop thrilling ride. He shows real talent in a few sequences, but he needed a firmer grip on the story during the second half. Better pacing would have kept the excitement high until the very end.

The editing by Chaman Chacko is good in parts, especially during the big action scenes. However, he should have cut down several slow and repeated scenes to make the movie flow better. A tighter edit would have kept the audience far more engaged.

The cinematography by Jimshi Khalid makes every frame look rich and colorful. Jakes Bejoy’s background music is easily one of the best parts of the movie, as it brings great energy to the fight scenes. The overall production values are high and give the film a proper big-screen look.

Verdict:

On the whole, I’m Game has an interesting plot, but the average storytelling pulls it down. Dulquer Salmaan and the technical team do their best to lift the film, but the slow second half and predictable scenes stop it from becoming a big hit. The movie works only in bits and pieces, so action fans who like fresh ideas can give it a try with low expectations.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Review: Hrudhayam Murali – Decent Blend of Comedy & Emotions

by narendhar

Movie Name : Hrudhayam Murali

Release Date : July 11, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Atharvaa, Preity Mukhundhan, Kayadu Lohar, Fahadh Faasil, Natty, Thaman S, Niharika NM and Others
Director : Aakash Baskaran
Producers : Aakash Baskaran
Music Director : Thaman S
Cinematographer : Manoj Paramahamsa, CH Sai
Editor : Pradeep E Ragav

Related Links : Trailer

Hrudhayam Murali, starring Atharvaa, Preity Mukhundhan, and Kayadu Lohar in the lead roles, has hit the big screens today (Telugu version). Thaman played a key role. Let’s see how the film is.

Story:

Hrudhay (Atharvaa) is a shy person since his childhood, and because of his reserved nature, he misses out on many relationships as he fails to express his feelings. During his teenage years, he falls deeply in love with Samantha (Preity Mukhundhan) but never confesses his love to her. Later, Aamudha (Kayadu Lohar) enters his life. Although Hrudhay falls for her, he repeats the same mistake. Every woman who enters Hrudhay’s life eventually becomes a part of his memories. How does a person like Hrudhay navigate life? Whom does he finally marry? This forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

Atharvaa delivered an impressive performance in Hrudhayam Murali. He nailed both the comedy and emotional moments with ease. Especially, the way he portrayed his character with variations according to different situations is pretty good. His body language is also spot on. Atharvaa’s comic timing during the love track with Preity Mukhundhan is solid.

Kayadu Lohar performed her role to the tee. The actress did a superlative job in the heavy emotional scenes. Natti shines in a crucial role, while Fahadh Faasil’s cameo has turned out to be another asset. His scene with the protagonist came out very well. Thaman is effective as the hero’s friend.

Niharika NM, Rakshana, Dravid Selvan, Angelin, Anju Kurian, Sudhakar, Yashashree, Jonita Gandhi, and the remaining cast did very well in their respective roles. Akash Baskaran’s music, especially the theme, and some of the emotional and romantic moments are adorable. The film also nicely handles aspects like what happens when a reserved person falls in love and how his bonding with the girl evolves.

Minus Points:

The hero’s characterization and the emotional scenes are nicely written, but some aspects aren’t presented strongly. Especially, the screenplay in the second half could have been tighter and more interesting.

The establishment of the love track between Atharvaa and the main female lead could have been much stronger. Some scenes are slow, and the editing could have been better. The colorful visuals are sometimes undermined by a few ineffective moments.

Technical Aspects:

Direction by Akash Baskaran is decent. Though some scenes aren’t highly impressive, the film remains watchable for the most part. The emotions hold the key. Thaman’s background score is good, and so is the cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa and CH Sai. Many scenes in the film look beautiful on screen. The editing leaves room for improvement. The production values are too good.

Verdict:

On the whole, Hrudhayam Murali is a decent romantic drama that benefits from Atharvaa’s performance, its main theme, and the emotional moments. The climax also clicks, but the narrative is stretched in the second half, and some routine scenes undermine the overall impact to an extent. Having said that, the film can be given a try by those who like rom-coms.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Pallichattambi Review

Review: Tovino Thomas’ Pallichattambi –  A Fair Attempt That Struggles to Leave an Impact

by narendhar

Pallichattambi Review

Movie Name : Pallichattambi

Release Date : April 17, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Tovino Thomas, Kayadu Lohar, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shatru, and others
Director : Dijo Jose Antony
Producer : Noufal & Brijeesh, CCC Brothers
Music Director : Jakes Bejoy
Cinematographer : Tijo Tomy
Editor :  Sreejith Sarang

Related Links : Trailer

Pallichattambi is the latest Malayalam film starring Tovino Thomas and Kayadu Lohar, featuring a notable cameo by Prithviraj Sukumaran. Released as a Vishu special in Kerala, the movie has now arrived in Telugu theaters today. Here is our detailed review to help you decide if it is worth your time.

Story:

Set in the 1950s village of Kaaniyar, as communism surges across Kerala, a powerful religious community brings in the dreaded “Church Rowdy” Pothan Christopher, also known as Krishna Pillai (Tovino Thomas), to crush the rising movement. A man bound by duty, his resolve begins to crack when he encounters Rebecca (Kayadu Lohar), a fierce communist whose conviction challenges everything he stands for. Meanwhile, the cunning and ruthless Nambiar (Prithviraj Sukumaran) exploits the unrest to grab control of the village lands, turning an ideological battle into a brutal struggle for power. What happens next is a story meant for the big screen.

Plus Points:

Tovino Thomas puts in a significant effort and delivers a passable performance, particularly shining during the film’s intense action sequences. Kayadu Lohar performs adequately despite her limited screen time, though her character unfortunately lacks a lasting emotional impact.

Shatru is a surprising highlight of the film, effectively portraying a sense of ruthlessness that keeps the audience engaged. Compared to the slow-paced first half, the second half offers much better content, execution, and character development.

Prithviraj Sukumaran’s negative-shaded cameo is fine, though it feels like a setup for a potential sequel. Jakes Bejoy’s background score is the standout element, single-handedly elevating several mediocre scenes throughout the film. The action choreography also stands out as one of the few areas where the film truly lives up to its “mass” expectations.

Minus Points:

The story is rooted in real historical events from 1950s Kerala, which may resonate with local audiences but feels alien to others. When aiming for a pan-Indian reach, the director should have made the complex history much easier to understand for a general audience.

The narrative lacks clarity, making it difficult for viewers unfamiliar with the “Liberation Struggle” to connect with the stakes. This lack of context prevents the emotional moments from landing as intended.

Furthermore, the first half moves at a sluggish pace and lacks any major excitement to keep the viewer hooked. The poor quality of the Telugu dubbing further dilutes the intensity of the scenes, making the experience feel even more disjointed.

The lack of familiar faces and underdeveloped supporting characters adds little value to the overall production. Even the primary conflict feels stretched thin because the screenplay fails to build consistent tension.

Technical Aspects:

Director Dijo Jose Antony fails to meet expectations regarding the script and its final execution. While the film has high production values, it lacks the creative spark found in his previous works like Jana Gana Mana. Tijo Tomy’s cinematography is partially effective, but Sreejith Sarang’s editing is a major letdown. These technical inconsistencies result in a below-par viewing experience that feels far too long.

Verdict:

On the whole, Pallichattambi is a period action drama that suffers from poor execution and a pale screenplay. Despite Tovino Thomas’s physical commitment and a powerful background score, the movie fails to live up to its massive pre-release hype. The sluggish pacing and lackluster dubbing make it a mediocre experience at best. With several other options available this weekend, this film is easily forgettable.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team 

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Review: Vishwak Sen’s Funky – A messy comedy ride

by narendhar

Movie Name : Funky

Release Date : Feb 13, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Vishwak Sen, Kayadu Lohar, Naresh, VTV Ganesh, and others.
Director : Anudeep KV
Producers : Naga Vamsi S – Sai Soujanya
Music Director : Bheems Ceciroleo
Cinematographer : Suresh Sarangam
Editor :  Navin Nooli

Related Links : Trailer

Vishwak Sen has joined hands with Jathi Rathnalu fame KV Anudeep for the comedy entertainer Funky. Kayadu Lohar is the female lead. The movie hit the big screens today and let’s see how it is.

Story:

Komal (Vishwak Sen) is the director of a film titled Funky. Due to the constant increase in the budget, the producer’s (Naresh Vijayakrishna) health takes a toll, after which his daughter Chitra (Kayadu Lohar) takes charge. She decides to replace the director to complete the remaining shoot. What happens next? Does Komal regain control? This forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

Vishwak Sen makes a departure from his mass avatar and does a good job in the comedy department. He delivers the quirky one-liners neatly, and it’s refreshing to see the actor in a different role. However, it would have been much better had the writing supported him more effectively.

Kayadu Lohar is effective as the producer’s daughter and she looks quite beautiful on screen. Her chemistry with the protagonist works well. Some jokes in both halves land to an extent. The runtime is thankfully short, which slightly works in the film’s favour, especially since it lacks a proper story.

Minus Points:

In the pre-release promotional campaign, the makers repeatedly asked audiences to forget logic and enjoy the comedy. Even with the right expectations, the film may not fully satisfy viewers. The main problem with Funky is its lack of proper flow, as the movie feels like disjointed pieces stitched together.

Almost every scene appears random, making it difficult to connect with the film as a whole, though a few jokes work here and there. Jathi Rathnalu worked despite its silliness because the story kept moving, but Funky feels meaningless, with no clear direction. This approach may not sit well with the majority of the audience.

While some films are made purely for entertainment they still manage to have a basic storyline, but Funky falls short in this aspect, lacking a proper conflict point or emotional depth. The movie does try to turn emotional towards the end, but it just doesn’t work. The songs are below par, and the dubbing feels off in several scenes.

Technical Aspects:

Bheems Ceciroleo does a very ordinary job, as the songs don’t click at all. Suresh Sarangam’s cinematography is pleasant, and the film looks colorful in every frame. The production values are fair. The editing is choppy, but since the scenes themselves feel very random, one can’t complain much about this department.

As much as Anudeep KV concentrated on the one-liners, it would have been far better had he focused on designing proper comedy blocks instead. The decision to rely excessively on one-liners doesn’t quite work here. The entire Sampath Raj track feels pointless.

Verdict:

On the whole, Funky is a below-par comedy drama that feels like a compilation of random scenes stitched together. Anudeep KV tries to evoke comedy mainly through one-liners and, in the process, he pays very little attention to the story and screenplay. Vishwak Sen and Kayadu Lohar perform well in their respective roles. While some jokes work, the film fails to deliver overall, making it a disappointing outing from Anudeep KV.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team 

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