Month: January 2022

Seetimaarr is a Telugu sports-action drama set against the backdrop of the women’s Kabaddi circuit. Karthik (Gopichand), a dedicated bank manager from Kadiyam near Rajahmundry, doubles as a coach for the Andhra Pradesh women’s Kabaddi team. His mission: to train the village girls and lead them to the national championship.

Things take a violent turn when the team is kidnapped in Delhi by the ruthless Makkan Singh (Tarun Arora). The story revolves around how Karthik, with the help of Jwala Reddy (Tamannaah), rescues the team while confronting a web of personal vendettas. The plot combines high-octane action, sports drama, and mass commercial elements in a festival-ready package.

Movie	Seetimaarr
Release Date	September 10, 2021
Director	Sampath Nandi
Producers	Srinivasaa Chitturi
Cast	Gopichand, Tamannaah Bhatia, Bhumika Chawla, Digangana Suryavanshi, Rahman, Tarun Arora, Rao Ramesh, Posani Krishna Murali, Tanikella Bharani
Music Director	Mani Sharma
Cinematography	S. Soundara Rajan
Editor	Tammiraju
Production Banner	Srinivasaa Silver Screens

Highlights

Gopichand’s energetic and commanding screen presence.
Well-executed mass action sequences with a festival vibe.
Kabaddi backdrop adds freshness to the mass entertainer formula.
Strong visuals and production values.
Entertaining mix of sports drama and masala elements.

Drawbacks

The second half drags with unnecessary melodrama.
Some characters, including Tamannaah, are underdeveloped.
Predictable story beats and cinematic liberties in the climax.
Songs occasionally disrupt narrative pacing.
Logic is often sidelined for mass appeal.

Verdict

On the whole, Seetimaarr is a mass-action sports drama with strong visuals, entertaining action, and festival-ready energy. Gopichand shoulders the film with his charisma and dedication, while the supporting cast and Kabaddi sequences enhance the overall appeal. Ignore the logical loopholes, and it’s a fun, “paisa vasool” watch for the masses.

Bottom Line: A high-octane masala entertainer with a sports backdrop that celebrates heroism, action, and festival fun.

Gully Rowdy revolves around Vasu (Sundeep Kishan), a young man from a rowdy family, who has no interest in embracing his violent lineage. His life takes a turn when Sahitya (Neha Shetty), the girl he loves, requests his help to save her family from a local don, Bhairagi. Reluctantly, Vasu leverages his rowdy background to protect them, but the plan goes haywire when Bhairagi is mysteriously killed.

As police officer Naik (Bobby Simha) investigates the case, Vasu, along with Sahitya and her family, must navigate through comic chaos, misunderstandings, and street-level action to survive and restore order. The story is a mix of comedy, romance, and light action, set against the vibrant streets of Vizag.

Movie	Gully Rowdy
Release Date	September 17, 2021
Director	G Nageshwar Reddy
Producers	Kona Venkat, M.V.V. Satyanarayana
Cast	Sundeep Kishan, Bobby Simha, Neha Hariraj Shetty, Viva Harsha, Vennela Kishore, Rajendra Prasad, Posani Krishna Murali, Shakalaka Shankar, Mime Gopi
Music Director	Chowrasta Ram, Sai Kartheek
Cinematography	Sujatha Siddharth
Editor	Chota K Prasad
Production Banner	Kona Film Corporation, M.V.V. Cinemas

Highlights

Rajendra Prasad’s comic brilliance lights up multiple scenes.
Sundeep Kishan’s effortless charm and mass appeal.
Breezy first half with some situational comedy working well.
Vibrant Vizag locales and authentic production design.
A few well-placed songs and music tracks add entertainment value.

Drawabacks

The second half drags with stretched sequences and weak drama.
Bobby Simha’s character is overhyped but underutilized.
Comedy is inconsistent and feels outdated in parts.
Routine story with cliched elements and predictable twists.
The weak screenplay fails to hold attention through the second half.

Verdict

Gully Rowdy is a decent comedy entertainer with moments of genuine laughter, thanks largely to Rajendra Prasad and Sundeep Kishan. It falters in pacing and screenplay, making the second half a drag. If you are looking for a breezy, mass-friendly comedy and can overlook predictability, it offers a passable theatrical experience.

Bottom Line: A light, tapori-flavored comedy with a rowdy twist – enjoyable in patches but flawed in narrative execution.

Maestro is the Telugu adaptation of the acclaimed Hindi thriller Andhadhun. The film follows Arun (Nithiin), a talented pianist in Goa who pretends to be blind to earn his living. Arun’s life takes a dangerous turn when he is invited to perform a private concert for a former actor, Mohan (Naresh), and his wife Simran (Tamannaah) on their wedding anniversary.

What Arun witnesses inside their apartment sets off a chain of deadly events: a murder, a cunning lover, and an entangled web of lies. Nabha Natesh appears as Arun’s girlfriend, adding a romantic angle, while Jisshu Sengupta plays a pivotal role as a police inspector. The film revolves around Arun navigating these deadly twists while keeping up his façade, with suspense and unexpected turns at every corner.

Movie	Maestro
Release Date	September 17, 2021
Director	Merlapaka Gandhi
Producers	Sudhakar Reddy, Nikitha Reddy
Cast	Nithiin, Tamannaah Bhatia, Nabha Natesh, Jisshu Sengupta, Naresh, Harsha Vardhan, Mangli, Racha Ravi, Sreemukhi
Music Director	Mahati Swara Sagar
Cinematography	J. Yuvaraj
Editor	S. R. Shekhar
Production Banner	Shresht Movies
OTT Platform	Disney+ Hotstar

Highlights

Nithiin convincingly portrays a challenging role outside his comfort zone.
Tamannaah delivers a competent negative role.
Faithful adaptation preserves the original’s twists and suspense.
The Goa backdrop suits the narrative and enhances the visual appeal.
Piano sequences and background score are well-executed.

Drawbacks

Tamannaah’s casting slightly misfires compared to Tabu in the original.
Second-half drama and tension could have been stronger.
Climax disrupted by song insertion, reducing impact.
Minor pacing issues and artificial vibes in certain sequences.
Viewers familiar with the Hindi original may feel the thrills are muted.

Verdict

Maestro is a decent remake that works best as a standalone Telugu thriller. Nithiin’s performance and faithful adaptation of the original story keep the audience engaged. While it lacks the full intensity and menace of Andhadhun, it remains an entertaining watch for those seeking suspense and light crime drama on OTT.

Bottom Line: Engaging but not electrifying – a slick adaptation with a strong lead performance but lacking the punch of the original.

Aakashavaani is a Telugu-language slice-of-life drama that unfolds in a remote tribal settlement in Andhra Pradesh. The villagers live in isolation, unaware of the world beyond their forested home. They are ruled by a local tyrant, Dora (Vinay Varma), who manipulates the community for his own gain.

The story takes a turn when a tribal child discovers a discarded radio, which the community begins to treat as a divine voice. Enter Chandram Master (Samuthirakani), a schoolteacher who arrives in the forest with the aim of educating the tribals and reshaping their understanding of faith and authority. What follows is a narrative that blends innocence, curiosity, and the awakening of a community as they navigate a changing world under the influence of both the radio and the teacher.

Movie	Aakashavaani
Release Date	September 24, 2021
Director	Ashwin Gangaraju
Producers	Padmanabha Reddy
Cast	Samuthirakani, Vinay Varma, Teja Kakumanu, Prashant, Mime Madhu, Shaking Seshu, Getup Srinu
Music Director	Kaala Bhairava
Cinematography	Suresh Raghutu
Editor	Sreekar Prasad
Production Banner	AU&I Studios
Streaming On	SonyLIV

Highlights

Unique, socially relevant storyline with experimental elements.
Samuthirakani delivers a compelling, grounded performance.
Vinay Varma’s portrayal of Dora is convincing and impactful.
Lush visuals and authentic tribal setting elevate the film.
The background score by Kaala Bhairava adds depth to key sequences.

Drawbacks

Slow pacing in the first half diminishes early engagement.
Songs and certain cinematic sequences feel unnecessary.
Some minor characters fail to establish strong emotional connections.
The climax and revolt sequences feel slightly exaggerated compared to the film’s otherwise realistic tone.

Verdict

Aakashavaani is a visually rich, socially conscious drama that impresses with its unique concept and strong central performances. While pacing issues and certain cinematic choices hold it back from being fully engaging, the film remains worth watching for its inventive storytelling, heartfelt performances, and thought-provoking narrative.

Bottom Line: A creatively ambitious forest drama that’s sincere and visually captivating, but slow-paced and slightly uneven in execution.

Alanti Sitralu is a modern-day romantic drama that intertwines the lives of four young individuals: Yash (Ajay Kumar Kathurvar), Pallavi (Shwetta Parashar), Raag (Yash Puri), and Dilip (Prawin Yendamuri). Each of them is dealing with personal struggles and trying to navigate life amidst emotional turbulence.

The narrative explores how their choices, regrets, and connections subtly influence one another. While the characters’ lives are presented separately at first, the story gradually reveals the linkages, portraying a “hyperlink” style narrative that examines human emotions, relationships, and the impact of fate.

Movie	Alanti Sitralu
Release Date	September 24, 2021
Director	Supreeth C Krishna
Producers	Supreeth C Krishna, Rahul Reddy D, Lokku Srivarun
Cast	Shwetta Parashar, Prawin Yendamuri, Yash Puri, Tanvi Akaanksha, Ajay Kumar Kathurvar
Music Director	Santhu Omkar
Cinematography	Karthik Sai Kumar
Editor	Ashwath Shiva Kumar
Production Banner	I&I Arts, Cosmicray Productions
OTT Platform	Zee5 Telugu

Highlights

Hyperlink-style narrative offers a fresh take on interconnected stories.
Prawin Yendamuri’s performance adds emotional weight.
Unique characterizations and relatable modern dilemmas.
Production and cinematography are visually appealing for the budget scale.
Select musical tracks and BGM are effective.

Drawbacks

Slow pacing and long-winded sequences reduce engagement.
Some actors fail to deliver the intensity required for their roles.
The second half lacks gripping drama and emotional punch.
Predictable plot points and routine storylines in parts.
Editing and screenplay inconsistencies hamper narrative momentum.

Verdict

On the whole, Alanti Sitralu is a decent experimental attempt in the Telugu romantic drama space. Its hyperlink narrative, realistic characters, and select performances make it watchable. However, slow pacing, a few bland actors, and a lack of consistent emotional intensity prevent it from achieving its full potential.

Bottom Line: A sincere but uneven slice-of-life drama—worth a watch for those who appreciate character-driven stories, but casual viewers may find it slow and predictable.

Love Story follows Revanth (Naga Chaitanya), a young man from a lower caste in Armoor, Telangana, who arrives in Hyderabad with dreams of establishing a Zumba academy. Mounika (Sai Pallavi), an engineering graduate from the same village but an upper-caste family, struggles to find a job in the city. Circumstances lead her to join Revanth’s Zumba center as a teacher, and their professional partnership blossoms into romance.

The story takes a serious turn as societal issues like caste discrimination and gender inequality emerge, challenging their relationship. The narrative also addresses a sensitive subplot of sexual abuse, adding layers to the otherwise conventional romantic drama.

Movie	Love Story
Release Date	September 24, 2021
Director	Sekhar Kammula
Producers	Narayan Das K. Narang, Puskur Ram Mohan Rao
Cast	Naga Chaitanya, Sai Pallavi, Easwari Rao, Devayani, Rajeev Kanakala, Uttej, Sai Chand, Satyam Rajesh, Thagubothu Ramesh
Music Director	Pawan Ch
Cinematography	Vijay C. Kumar
Editor	Marthand K. Venkatesh
Production Banner	Amigos Creations, Sree Venkateswara Cinemas

Highlights

Mature, socially-aware romantic drama addressing caste and gender issues.
Naga Chaitanya delivers a career-defining performance.
Sai Pallavi’s nuanced acting and dance sequences elevate the film.
Strong performances by supporting cast members like Easwari Rao and Rajeev Kanakala.
Music and BGM complement the story effectively.

Drawbacks

Slow pacing in the first half and abrupt tonal shifts in the second half.
Climax feels hurried and slightly underwhelming.
Romance lacks the electric chemistry expected from Kammula’s previous films.
Some narrative subplots, while important, are poorly integrated.

Verdict

On the whole, Love Story is a sensible romantic drama that balances love with social relevance. Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi carry the film on their shoulders, supported by strong performances from Easwari Rao and Rajeev Kanakala. While pacing issues and a hurried climax hold it back from becoming exceptional, the movie is worth watching for its mature approach, music, and performances.