Month: January 2022

Nootokka Jillala Andagadu is a contemporary Telugu comedy drama revolving around Gotti Surya Narayana (GSN), played by Avasarala Srinivas, a bald man with low self-confidence due to premature hair loss. To mask his baldness, he wears a wig, which becomes central to his insecurities and romantic life.

GSN falls in love with his colleague, Anjali (Ruhani Sharma), and a heartwarming office romance begins. However, the twist comes when Anjali discovers GSN’s baldness, leaving him embarrassed and unsure about their relationship. The film explores how GSN confronts his insecurities, wins back Anjali’s trust, and navigates societal perceptions of beauty and self-worth.

Movie	Nootokka Jillala Andagadu
Release Date	September 3, 2021
Director	Rachakonda Vidyasagar
Producer	Shirish, Rajeev Reddy Yeduguru, Sai Babu Jagarlamudi (Sri Venkateswara Creations & First Frame Entertainments)
Cast	Avasarala Srinivas, Ruhani Sharma, Rohini, Rudra Pratap
Music	Shakthikanth Karthick
Cinematography	Ram
Editor	Kiran Ganti
Run Time	124 minutes

Highlights

Unique concept revolving around male baldness
Srinivas Avasarala’s natural comedic timing and emotional portrayal
Rohini’s memorable presence in key moments
Light-hearted first half with situational humor

Drawbacks

Second half is slow and predictable
Conflict resolution and romance lack emotional depth
Missed opportunities for sharper comedy
Music and dialogues could have been stronger

Verdict

Nootokka Jillala Andagadu is a watchable comedy with a contemporary theme but doesn’t fully capitalize on its unique premise. Avasarala Srinivas carries the film on his shoulders with earnestness and charm, while Ruhani Sharma and supporting cast contribute adequately. The first half entertains, but a flat and predictable second half dilutes the overall impact.

Bottom Line: A promising concept let down by a slow second half and lack of emotional punch. Worth a one-time watch, preferably on OTT.

Appudu Ippudu centres on Megha (Tanishq Ranjan), a college‑going girl who harbours feelings for Arjun (Sujan). Arjun is less responsive, and shortly leaves the college environment. Three years later they meet again, love blossoms — but fate plays its hand. Megha, wounded and moving on, crosses paths with Adi (Sujan again?) who gives her life a fresh direction just as Arjun re‑enters.

The core conflict: Whom will Megha choose? Will her past love win out, or the new beginning with Adi carry the day?

Movie	Appudu Ippudu
Release Date	September 3, 2021
Director	Chalapathi Puvvula
Producer	M/s. UK Films
Cast	Sujan, Tanishq Ranjan
Music Director	Padmanav Bharadwaj
Genre	Telugu romantic drama

Highlights

The climax of the film brings a meaningful resolution and is written with thought and care.
Tanishq Ranjan’s performance is a highlight; she embraces the emotional arc convincingly.
The concept of returning love, second chances and moving on is handled with sensitivity.
Visually the film is attractive, especially in the first half’s college sequences and the scenic moments.

Drawbacks

The pacing is slow, particularly in the first half; it takes too long for the main tension to surface.
The Arjun–Megha track lacks strong conflict; the emotional journey feels predictive at times.
The new‑love track (Megha‑Adi) gets space but could have been tighter and more impactful.
Some character motivations feel weak or under‑explored, reducing the emotional weight of key moments.

Verdict

On the whole, Appudu Ippudu is a feel‑good romantic drama with a commendable premise and some strong performances, particularly by Tanishq Ranjan. But the slow build, routine storyline, and under‑realised conflict hold the film back from being fully satisfying. If you are a fan of soft romances and can forgive the pacing issues, this film offers enough to give it a shot this weekend.

Bottom line: A sincere love story that delivers modestly; ideal for the weekend when you’re in the mood for something gentle, but don’t expect fireworks.

Killer opens with a chilling murder: a man is found dead under mysterious circumstances while a woman, Jayanthi (Ashima Narwal), and her mother (Seetha) become the center of a criminal investigation. Prabhakar (Vijay Antony), a seemingly ordinary neighbor, surrenders to the police, hinting at a darker connection.

Senior cop Karthik (Arjun) is assigned to unravel the mystery. As he investigates, he discovers hidden links between the victim, the mother-daughter duo, and Prabhakar. The story explores whether Prabhakar is a cold-blooded murderer or if there’s a deeper, more complex motive behind the crime. The investigation leads to twists that hold the audience guessing until the climactic revelation.

Movie	Killer
Release Date	June 7, 2019
Director	Andrew Louis
Producers	T. Naresh Kumar, T. Sridhar
Cast	Vijay Antony, Arjun, Ashima Narwal, Seetha
Music Director	Simon K King
Cinematography	Max
Editor	Richard Kevin
Genre	Crime Thriller

Highlights

Suspense is maintained effectively in the second half.
Arjun’s performance as the intelligent and composed cop is top-notch.
Vijay Antony delivers a restrained, engaging performance.
Cinematography and background score enhance the thriller atmosphere.
The interval twist adds a memorable jolt to the narrative.

Drawbacks

The first half is slow and a bit confusing with unnecessary subplots.
Songs disrupt the flow of the narrative.
Lengthy monologues and occasional thinly-written sequences reduce engagement.
Some secondary characters could have been more developed to add depth to the story.

Verdict

Killer is a moderately engaging crime thriller that succeeds mainly due to strong performances by Arjun and Vijay Antony, gripping investigation sequences, and effective cinematography. While the first half suffers from pacing issues and misplaced songs, the second half keeps the audience invested with twists and revelations.

Bottom line: If you enjoy suspense thrillers with solid investigation arcs and minimalistic heroics, Killer is worth a watch. Approach it without high expectations, and you may find it more enjoyable than anticipated.

Asmee revolves around a young woman, Asmee (Rushika Raj), who is held captive for several years and subjected to brutal physical and psychological torture. Believing Rajesh (Keshav Deepak) to be her tormentor, she takes revenge by killing him. However, her nightmare doesn’t end there—she soon discovers that the real culprit behind her suffering is Siva (Raja Narendra). The remainder of the film follows Asmee as she confronts the harsh reality, seeking justice and closure while navigating a web of deceit and betrayal.

The film is a dark revenge thriller that explores trauma, resilience, and the fight for survival, making it a female-oriented narrative that leans heavily on emotional intensity.

Movie	Asmee
Release Date	September 3, 2021
Director	Sesh Karthikeya
Producers	Sneha Rakesh
Cast	Rushika Raj, Raja Narendra, Keshav Deepak, Indu Kusuma
Music Director	Sandy Addanki
Cinematography	Sesh Karthikeya
Editor	Prawin Pudi
Production Banner	Saachi Creations

Highlights

Rushika Raj delivers a strong, nuanced lead performance.
Dark, female-oriented revenge narrative is a refreshing deviation from typical commercial scripts.
Background score and cinematography enhance the mood and tension effectively.
The climax is handled competently and resolves the story with emotional closure.

Drawbacks

Lack of a robust supporting cast, making some scenes feel empty.
Some middle sequences drag and lose the suspense.
Bold scenes are frequent but could have been used more judiciously to enhance storytelling.
Second-half pacing is inconsistent, affecting overall engagement.

Verdict

Asmee is a female-centric dark thriller that attempts to tackle trauma, revenge, and resilience with a raw, gritty lens. Rushika Raj’s performance is the film’s strongest asset, bringing depth and credibility to the harrowing narrative. While the story has potential and the technical aspects are solid, inconsistent pacing, a limited supporting cast, and occasional narrative lapses hold the film back from being fully engrossing.

Bottom Line: Asmee is worth a watch for audiences interested in female-oriented revenge thrillers, provided you approach it with patience for its slower second half and occasional storytelling gaps.

NET is a contemporary techno-thriller exploring the dark side of internet addiction and voyeurism. The story follows Laxman (Rahul Ramakrishna), a lower-middle-class mobile shop owner who becomes obsessed with watching private lives online. His curiosity turns sinister when he discovers the bedroom videos of a young couple, Priya (Avika Gor) and her boyfriend Ranjith (Vishwadev Rachakonda), through illegal hidden cameras.

Laxman subscribes to the service and begins invading their privacy, which creates a ripple effect in his own married life with Suchitra (Praneeta Patnaik). The film delves into the consequences of his voyeuristic obsession and examines how technology can expose vulnerabilities, blur ethical boundaries, and disrupt lives.

Movie	NET
Release Date	September 10, 2021
Director	Bhargav Macharla
Producers	Rahul Tamada, Saideep Reddy Borra
Cast	Rahul Ramakrishna, Avika Gor, Vishwadev Rachakonda, Praneeta Patnaik, Laxman, Suchitra
Music Director	Naresh Kumaran
Cinematography	Abhiraj Nair
Editor	Raviteja Girijala
Production Banner	Tamada Media

Highlights

Unique and contemporary concept of voyeurism and digital obsession.
Rahul Ramakrishna anchors the film with a strong, layered performance.
Avika Gor’s comeback role is impactful and credible.
Crisp runtime keeps the story engaging, especially for an OTT release.
Background score effectively amplifies tension and suspense.

Drawbacks

The climax is rushed and ends on a somewhat convenient note.
Middle portions feel slow-paced and occasionally repetitive.
Some character arcs and technological details lack clarity.
Limited supporting cast reduces the depth of certain sequences.

Verdict

NET is a web film that explores the dangers of internet obsession and voyeurism through a contemporary lens. The film is anchored by Rahul Ramakrishna’s compelling performance and Avika Gor’s convincing portrayal of a victimized yet resilient character. While the premise is fresh and intriguing, slow pacing in the middle and a rushed climax slightly undermine the impact.

Bottom Line: NET is a passable, thought-provoking techno-thriller worth watching for its performances and topical subject, especially for OTT audiences seeking a realistic, psychological drama.

Tuck Jagadish is set in the picturesque village of Bhudevipuram and revolves around a joint family led by the patriarch Aadisesh Naidu (Nassar). The story explores family ties, rivalry, and the power struggles that ensue after Aadisesh’s sudden demise.

Jagadish Naidu, aka Tuck (Nani), is the youngest and most beloved son of the family. While he shares a strong bond with his father, tensions rise between him and his elder brother Bose (Jagapathi Babu) following Aadisesh’s passing. Bose aligns with the local rival Veerendra (Daniel Balaji), creating further turmoil. Amidst the chaos, Tuck also navigates his love story with Gummadi Varalakshmi (Ritu Varma) and the looming threat to Chandramma (Aishwarya Rajesh).

The rest of the film follows Tuck’s attempts to reunite his family, handle village feuds, and assert his place as the moral center of the family, all while revealing hidden secrets and confronting challenges that test his resolve.

Movie	Tuck Jagadish
Release Date	September 10, 2021
Director	Shiva Nirvana
Producers	Sahu Garapati, Harish Peddi
Cast	Nani, Ritu Varma, Aishwarya Rajesh, Jagapathi Babu, Daniel Balaji, Nassar, Rao Ramesh, Thiruveer, Rohini, Devadarshini
Music Director	S. Thaman, Gopi Sundar
Cinematography	Prasad Murella
Editor	Prawin Pudi
Production Banner	Shine Screens
OTT Platform	Amazon Prime Video

Highlights

Nani’s standout performance anchors the film.
Strong first half with engaging family dynamics and pre-interval twist.
Jagapathi Babu’s performance and conflict scenes add weight.
Cinematography and production design are visually appealing.
OTT release allows for a comfortable viewing experience.

Drawbacks

The story lacks novelty and feels formulaic.
The second half is bogged down with unnecessary subplots and masala elements.
Some key characters, including the mother figure, could have been cast better.
Editing issues create abrupt transitions.
Certain action and hero-centric moments feel forced.

Verdict

Tuck Jagadish is a clean, family-friendly entertainer that works best for OTT viewing. Nani carries the film on his shoulders with ease, delivering both sentiment and subtle heroism. While the story is predictable and some sequences are overly melodramatic, the first half, pre-interval twist, and key emotional beats make it a weekend watch for family audiences.

Bottom Line: Nani shines as the glue that holds a routine family drama together. A simple, sentimental village entertainer with mixed results.