Movie reviews

Review: Vishwanath And Sons – A Light-Hearted Family Drama

by narendhar August 15, 2026

Movie Name : Vishwanath And Sons

Release Date : August 14, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5
Starring : Suriya Sivakumar, Mamitha Baiju, Raveena Tandon, Radhika Sarathkumar and Others
Director : Venky Atluri
Producer : Suryadevara Naga Vamsi
Music Director : G. V. Prakash Kumar
Cinematographer : Nimish Ravi
Editor : Navin Nooli

Related Links : Trailer

After blockbuster Karuppu, Suriya has come up with the family drama Vishwanath And Sons. The movie is directed by Venky Atluri and features Mamitha Baiju as the female lead. Amidst good hype, the movie hit the big screens today. Let’s see how the movie is.

Story:

Sanjay Vishwanath (Suriya) is a prominent industrialist who is also a professional pistol shooter. His mother (Radhika) wants him to get married, but Sanjay doesn’t have a good opinion of marriage. This is when Maddy (Mamitha Baiju) enters his life and gets closer to him. The rest of the film revolves around the family drama and the emotional dynamic between the lead pair.

Plus Points:

The first half is thoroughly captivating, with lively moments and fun portions. The story is set up well, the bond between Radhika and Suriya is established neatly, and the female lead enters the frame at the right moment.

After Mamitha’s entry, the comedy is offered in plenty. Radhika, who plays Suriya’s mother, and Sunil Reddy, who plays Suriya’s brother-in-law, add more fun to the proceedings alongside the lead pair. The portions featuring these four help maintain a pleasant smile throughout the first half.

Suriya brings his charm to the character of Sanjay Vishwanath and amuses with his effortless screen presence and style. He is a delight to watch in the lighter portions. The emotional segment where he breaks down showcases the performer in him.

The casting of Mamitha Baiju is the best thing to have happened to the movie. She, as a spirited, energetic, and cheerful girl, does a phenomenal job. It won’t be an overstatement to say that the actress dominates the proceedings when the focus is on comedy. Radhika and Sunil Reddy are splendid in their respective roles.

Minus Points:

The graph drops in the second half with formulaic writing kicking in. The intent seems to be keeping the goings-on light-hearted with simple family moments and conflict resolutions. However, some portions feel artificial and lack depth. These conflicts are not shown in detail and are also resolved too quickly.

From the time the narrative shifts to Ooty, the focus becomes less on the lead pair. The emotional dynamic between Suriya and Mamitha Baiju should have been explored better. The climax is neat and simple, but the scenes leading up to it should have been more effective.

The dialogue about relationships uttered by Raveena Tandon is questionable. The lyrics in the Telugu version are decent, but they could have been still better.

Technical Aspects:

GV Prakash Kumar’s music is neat and in sync with the film’s light-hearted mood. Nimish Ravi’s cinematography is elegant. The house portions are neatly shot. The production values are solid. Some scenes could have been trimmed in the second half.

Coming to director Venky Atluri, he handled the first half quite effectively, but the second half is not as good as the first. Since this is coming right after Lucky Baskhar, expectations are high, as that film set a gold standard. Writing-wise, there are some issues.

Verdict :

On the whole, Vishwanath And Sons is a light-hearted family entertainer with a good amount of fun moments and decent emotions. Suriya is charming playing his age, while Mamitha takes the cake with her lively performance. The first half is highly entertaining, but the writing stumbles a bit in the latter half with some slow-paced and formulaic moments. However, the proceedings are kept breezy, making it a neat family watch. Given the film’s style, it will likely appeal more to Telugu audiences than Tamil audiences.

123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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August 15, 2026

Review: Vishal’s Makutam – A Disappointing Action Drama

by narendhar August 15, 2026

Movie Name : Makutam

Release Date : August 14, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2/5
Starring : Vishal, Anjali, Dushara Vijayan, John Vijay, Jeya prakash, Ajay, Vamsi Krishna, Abu Salim, Arjai, Vj Jhansi, Padam Kumar, Sabhumon
Director : Vishal
Producers : B.Suresh, R.B.Jeevan Choudary, Jithan Ramesh, Jiiva
Music Director : G.V Prakash Kumar
Cinematographers : Richard.M. Nathan & Abinandhan Ramanujam
Editor : N.B Srikanth

Related Links : Trailer

Makutam marks the directorial debut of hero Vishal. The movie, also starring Anjali and Dushara Vijayan, hit the big screens today. Let’s see how it is.

Story:

Krupa (Vishal) falls in love with Jamuna (Dushara Vijayan) and marries her. He leads a simple life with his wife and their two children. On the other hand, he struggles in his job as a medical representative, earning a meagre salary. Krupa buys a BMW car because of a lie he tells his father-in-law. Following a few dramatic developments, Krupa travels to Ooty with his family in the newly purchased car. They are attacked there, and his wife and daughter are killed.

Why would someone earning just Rs. 25,000 a month be targeted? What is the reason behind the attack? Who are Linga (Vishal) and Annapoorna (Anjali), and what is their connection with Krupa? What twists and turns does the story take eventually? The film answers these questions.

Plus Points:

As always, Vishal delivers a strong performance. His acting in the key action, emotional, and dramatic sequences is one of the major highlights of the film. Vishal showcases different variations in his character neatly.

Dushara Vijayan fits well into her role, and her performance is particularly good in a few scenes. Anjali is effective in her role, and the depth in her character is impressive. Her screen presence is also very good. Thambi Ramaiah and Jayaprakash are fine in their respective roles, while the rest of the cast also does well.

Minus Points:

The film relies heavily on a routine template. Makutam unfolds with predictable emotions and boring action sequences. Many scenes in the narrative feel dull. Vishal, who is also the director, fails to come up with an engaging treatment for the film. In particular, he fails to design the narrative in an interesting manner. Several portions feel very slow-paced.

The second half is stretched out far too much. Except for the climax, the film fails to build curiosity in the proceedings. The track between Vishal and the villains is particularly disappointing.

Some incidents also feel overly cinematic. Even a routine story can be presented well, but this is where Makutam stumbles badly. The hero’s characterisation could have been written more effectively. Overall, both the central theme and storytelling fail to make an impact.

Technical Aspects:

Richard M. Nathan’s cinematography is good. He has captured the key scenes as well as the action sequences effectively, in line with the story and its proceedings. However, the editing is below the mark. The songs composed by GV Prakash Kumar are just okay, while the background score is impressive.

As a writer and director, Vishal fails to do justice to the film. Producer R.B. Choudary has mounted the film without compromising on the production, and the production values are excellent.

Verdict:

On the whole, Makutam is an outdated action and emotional drama that fails to impress. Despite having a decent emotional core and conflict, the film doesn’t establish them effectively enough for the audience to get emotionally invested. The routine template, weak screenplay, and the overly stretched second half with slow pacing make it very difficult to sit through. You can skip this film.

123telugu.com Rating: 2/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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August 15, 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

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April 18, 2026

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

by narendhar April 17, 2026

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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April 17, 2026

Review: Atharvaa Murali’s Tunnel – Mediocre action thriller

by narendhar September 19, 2025

Movie Name : Tunnel

Release Date : Sep 19, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Atharvaa Murali, Lavanya Tripathi and others
Director : Ravindra Madhava
Producer : A. Raju Nayak
Music Director : Justin Prabhakaran
Cinematographer : Hari Kiran
Editor : Kalaivanan R
Related Links : Trailer

Atharvaa and Lavanya Tripathi’s action thriller Tunnel is now out in theatres. Let’s see how the film is.

Story:

The movie begins with tense encounters between the Police and some bank robbers. Later, a gang headed by Ashwath Kakamanu starts eliminating the officers who were responsible for the encounters. Ashwath plots something big to create unrest among the Police department, and a newly recruited cop (Atharvaa) gets entangled in the unexpected chaos.

Plus Points:

Atharvaa Murali is earnest in his portrayal. As a carefree youngster and a sincere cop, he shows good variation. Instead of projecting him as a larger-than-life hero, the director presents him as a normal cop with vulnerability, which works well.

Ashwath Kakamanu fits the bill as the antagonist, delivering a convincing performance that makes him seem more powerful than the protagonist. His scenes with Atharvaa came out well. Visually, the film looks slick, especially during the slum sequences. Lavanya Tripathi is decent in her role. Artists who played Atharvaa’s friends did what was expected of them.

The film opens on an interesting note with an encounter between robbers and police. Later, a group of newly recruited cops gets stuck in a maze-like situation, making things interesting. The interval sequence builds tension fairly well, and action episodes are neatly executed.

Minus Points:

The romantic subplot in the first half derails the impact of a promising start. Though a few jokes land, the track mostly feels like filler and adds little to the main plot. The film regains momentum only after the flashback ends.

The main drawback of Tunnel is its done-to-death flashback in the second half, which is neither engaging nor has any surprising factor. To make things worse, it was presented in an animated format. Since we have seen the template umpteen times, there should be some freshness to root for the characters. There was no effort to bring some novelty.

As a result, the intended sympathy angle misses the mark, and the ending feels routine. Despite the short runtime, the pre-climax and climax portions are dragged heavily. There’s also some confusion in the Telugu version about the story’s setting.

Technical Aspects:

Justin Prabhakaran’s background score is fine in tense moments. There aren’t many songs, and the ones present are so-so. Sakthi Saravanan neatly captures the night-time action blocks with elegant visuals. The editing could have been better since the second half feels prolonged. The production values are fair.

Writer-director Ravindra Madhava has come up with an overly familiar story. Though he delivered some decent moments here and there, it all boils down to the routine flashback and social messaging, making the film underwhelming on the whole.

Verdict:

On the whole, Tunnel is a routine revenge drama with some decent moments here and there. This Atharvaa starrer had the potential to be a good thriller, but it stuck to the age-old revenge formula and didn’t provide the desired emotional depth. Atharvaa and Ashwath Kakamanu did a fine job, and action blocks look good, but the film falls short ultimately due to the run-of-the-mill backstory and a dragged climax.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

September 19, 2025

Pawan Kalyan to Wrap Ustaad Bhagat Singh Shoot in a Week

by narendhar July 23, 2025

For the first time in over a decade, Pawan Kalyan has actively taken part in promoting a film – Hari Hara Veera Mallu, produced by A. M. Rathnam. Directed by Jyothi Krishna, the historical action drama is set to premiere worldwide tonight.

During his recent media interactions, Pawan Kalyan also opened up about Ustaad Bhagat Singh, his upcoming film with director Harish Shankar. He revealed that the shoot is progressing and his portion will be completed in just five to six days. This indicates that he plans to return to full-time political activity shortly after.

The film features Raashii Khanna as Shloka, alongside Sreeleela in a key role. Backed by Mythri Movie Makers, the film has music composed by Devi Sri Prasad. Stay tuned for more updates.

July 23, 2025

Review: Suhas’ Oh Bhama Ayyo Rama – A disappointing rom-com

by narendhar July 12, 2025

Movie Name : Oh Bhama Ayyo Rama

Release Date : July 11, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.25/5
Starring : Suhas, Malavika Manoj, Anita hassanandani, Ali, Ravinder Vijay, Babloo Prithiveeraj, Prabhas Sreenu, Raghu Karumanchi, Moin, Sathvik Anand, Nayani Pavani and Others
Director : Ram Godhala
Producers : Harish Nalla
Music Director : Radhan
Cinematographer : S Manikandan
Editor : Bhavin M Shah

Related Links : Trailer

Oh Bhama Ayyo Rama is the latest Telugu movie starring Suhas and Maalavika Manoj (Tollywood debut) in the lead roles. The film hit the big screens today, and here’s our review on how it fares.

Story:

Ram (Suhas) hates movies to the core. One day, Satyabhama (Maalavika Manoj), a rich, yet simple and mischievous young woman, enters his life. Her presence brings unexpected changes in Ram’s world, and soon, the two fall in love. Just when everything seems to be going smoothly, Satyabhama places a strange condition before Ram, and he is left with no choice but to accept it. What exactly is this condition? What happened between them? Who is Satyabhama really? Does she share a hidden connection with Ram from the past? The rest of the story reveals the answers.

Plus Points:

Maalavika Manoj does a decent job in her Telugu debut. She looks graceful on screen, and her expressions, especially in scenes with Suhas, are convincing.

Some of the comedic moments involving Sathvik and the heroine work out well in places. Suhas is just okay in his role. The rest of the cast members are passable and do what’s expected of them.

Minus Points:

The story itself becomes a major drawback. Though the basic plot carries potential, the weak and disengaging screenplay makes it hard to stay interested.

The emotional aspects fail to land effectively. While a few scenes might seem decent on their own, the long and tiresome journey leading up to them drains the viewer’s patience. Such is the lack of emotional payoff and pacing.

The film suffers from a predictable plotline, repetitive scenes, and lack of progression. The screenplay doesn’t offer enough high points to hold the viewer’s attention, and the slow narrative adds to the fatigue.

The first half is somewhat tolerable, but that’s only in hindsight after sitting through a stretched and meandering second half. Even with a familiar storyline, a film can still work if it’s supported by a well-balanced mix of romance, emotion, and humour. Unfortunately, none of that comes together here. The pacing remains sluggish throughout.

Suhas’ potential feels wasted in this setup. His chemistry with the heroine, the bonding with his friends, and the flashback segments all feel underdeveloped and poorly executed.

Songs too fail to make a mark, and their placement in the narrative adds little value. Characters like Ali, Babloo Prithviraj, and others appear on screen but fail to leave an impression.

Technical Aspects:

Director Ramu Godhala fails to create an engaging film despite working with a plot that could have been turned into a decent romantic entertainer. The lack of freshness in narration and screenplay weakens the entire experience.

Manikandan’s cinematography is okay in parts. Music director Radhan’s work is neat, but the songs don’t really stand out. Editing by Bhavin M Shah is disappointing. The film feels long and loose, and even trimming 30 minutes might not have helped much. Production values are average overall.

Verdict:

On the whole, Oh Bhama Ayyo Rama is a painfully dull and entirely forgettable film. Despite Maalavika Manoj showing some promise in her debut and the occasional comedic moment landing mildly, the film is dragged down by a lifeless screenplay, shallow emotions, and dated storytelling. The narrative lacks energy, the writing feels lazy, and even Suhas appears miscast and unconvincing. The second half, in particular, turns into a tedious slog with no payoff. It is a tiresome, uninspired attempt at romance that fails on almost every level. Skip this one without a second thought.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here for Telugu Review

July 12, 2025