Author: Chiranjeevi Reddy

Anubhavinchu Raja follows Raju (Raj Tarun), a security guard in Hyderabad, whose life is anything but ordinary. He falls in love with Shruti (Kashish Khan), a software professional, who mistakenly believes he holds a high-ranking job in her company. Once the truth of his security guard role comes out, their romance faces its first hurdle.

The story then takes a twist when Raju is targeted by a gang of goons. Surviving the attack, he is forced to confront his past, which takes the audience to his native village of Bhimavaram. There, his affluent background, family politics, and old rivalries come to light. The narrative revolves around why Raju left his village, the threats he faces, and how he navigates love, life, and danger.

Movie	Anubhavinchu Raja
Release Date	November 26, 2021
Director	Sreenu Gavireddy
Cast	Raj Tarun, Kashish Khan, Posani Krishna Murali, Aadukalam Naren, Ajay, Ravi Krishna, Sudharshan, Temper Vamsi, Aadharsh Balakrishna, Ariyana
Production	Annapurna Studios Pvt Ltd, Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP
Music Director	Gopi Sundar
Cinematography	Vijay Binni / Nagesh Banell
Editor	Chota K Prasad
Producer	Supriya Yarlagadda

Highlights

Raj Tarun’s dual-shaded performance is watchable.
Kashish Khan shows promise as a debutante.
First-half city sequences are mildly engaging.
Village visuals are captured decently.
Some comedy elements in the first half evoke laughs.

Drawbacks

The second half suffers from routine village politics and cliched conflicts.
Weak characterization of key roles, including the heroine.
Songs and music fail to impress.
Predictable story with outdated humor.
Long runtime with forced drama and stale jokes.

Verdict

Anubhavinchu Raja is a watchable film if you seek light comedy and a few entertaining moments in the first half. However, routine village politics, clichéd storytelling, and an underwhelming second half make it a forgettable addition to Raj Tarun’s filmography.

1997 is a Telugu drama-thriller centered on caste discrimination and the atrocities faced by marginalized communities. The story unfolds in Nizampet village, where the village Dora (head) maintains unchecked power over the residents. A young woman, Ganga, from a lower caste is brutally raped and killed, but her death is manipulated to appear differently.

Enter Vikram Rathod (Dr. Mohan), a sincere and principled police officer, who is transferred to the village as ASI to restore order. Alongside CI Chary (Srikanth Iyengar), who initially attempts to derail the investigation, Vikram navigates corruption, caste politics, and bureaucratic hurdles to ensure justice. The central question revolves around whether Vikram can bring the village head to justice and restore peace to Nizampet.

Movie	1997
Release Date	November 26, 2021
Director	Dr. Mohan
Cast	Naveen Chandra, Dr. Mohan, Srikanth Iyengar, Koti, Ramaraju
Production	Eswar Parvathi Movies
Music Director	Koti
Cinematography	Not Specified
Editor	Chitti Babu / Nandamuri Hari
Producers	Meenakshi Ramavath

Highlights

Engaging and socially relevant story addressing caste discrimination.
Strong performances by Dr. Mohan and Srikanth Iyengar.
Effective music and background score that elevates dramatic tension.
Realistic depiction of village life and atrocities.
Director’s courage in handling a serious and thought-provoking subject.

Drawbacks

Slow pacing in the first half affects narrative momentum.
Occasional melodrama and repetitive confrontation scenes.
Some minor lapses in editing could have improved the film’s flow.

Verdict

1997 is a commendable attempt to bring attention to caste-based injustices and social disparities. Despite a slow start and minor technical flaws, the film’s engaging performances, gripping investigative sequences, and strong moral messaging make it a watch-worthy experience.

Bottom Line: A hard-hitting social drama that combines suspense and relevant messaging, deserving appreciation for its bold narrative.

Akhanda is an unapologetic mass entertainer that revolves around Murali Krishna (Balakrishna), a noble and influential figure in the faction-heavy district of Anantapur. His life takes a dramatic turn when Varadarajulu (Srikanth), a ruthless mining baron, endangers the lives of villagers and his family.

In the midst of escalating threats, a mysterious divine figure, Akhanda (Balakrishna as Aghora), emerges to restore justice and protect the innocent. The movie traces how Akhanda unleashes his extraordinary powers to dismantle Varadarajulu’s empire and safeguard Murali Krishna’s family. The dual role of Balakrishna—Murali Krishna and Akhanda—forms the heart of the narrative, blending heroism with spiritual gravitas.

Movie	Akhanda
Release Date	December 2, 2021
Director	Boyapati Srinu
Cast	Nandamuri Balakrishna, Pragya Jaiswal, Jagapathi Babu, Srikanth, Poorna, Subbaraju, Kalakeya Prabhakar, Ayyappa P. Sharma
Production	Dwaraka Creations, Pen India Limited
Music Director	Thaman S
Cinematography	C. Ram Prasad
Editor	Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao, Tammiraju
Producer	Miryala Ravinder Reddy
Dialogues	M. Rathnam

Highlights

Balakrishna’s dual-role performance, especially as Akhanda.
Thaman’s electrifying background score.
High-octane action sequences and fan-centric dialogues.
Cinematography and production design that complement the mass scale.
Nostalgic Boyapati-Balakrishna template executed with flair.

Drawbacks

Thin storyline with predictable twists.
Overdose of action and mass sequences in the second half.
The female protagonist’s role lacks depth and realism.
Some fight scenes become repetitive and logic-defying.
Limited villain elevation; Srikanth’s antagonist track feels underdeveloped.

Verdict

On the whole, Akhanda is an unapologetic mass-action spectacle designed to entertain Balakrishna fans. While the story is thin and logic takes a backseat, the film delivers high-voltage action, fan moments, and a charismatic hero in his prime. Class audiences may find the second-half violence excessive, but for the masses, it’s a full-fledged treat.

Plot Summary
Skylab is set in 1979 in a remote village of Telangana and draws inspiration from the real-life panic that followed the news of the U.S. space station Skylab potentially falling in India.
The story primarily follows three characters:
Gauri (Nithya Menen): a wannabe writer and journalist trying to prove her literary mettle.

Dr. Anand (Satyadev): a doctor aiming to secure his medical license.

Ramarao (Rahul Ramakrishna): a young man struggling to manage his family debts.

When news spreads that the Skylab satellite may crash in their village, chaos ensues. The film depicts how the villagers react to the impending disaster, intertwining humor, fear, and small-town dynamics.

Movie	Skylab
Release Date	December 4, 2021
Director	Vishvak Khanderao
Cast	Nithya Menen, Satyadev Kancharana, Rahul Ramakrishna, Tanikella Bharani, Tulasi Shivamani, Tharun Bhascker
Production	Byte Features, Nithya Menen Company
Music Director	Prashanth Vihari
Cinematography	Aditya Javvadi
Editor	Ravi Teja Girijala
Producers	Prithvi Pinnamaraju, Nithya Menen, Pravallika Pinnamaraju

Highlights

Unique premise inspired by real-life events.
Nithya Menen’s captivating performance.
Small-town visuals and period setting are authentic.
Occasional comic moments, mainly from Rahul Ramakrishna.

Drawbacks

Slow narration and dull first half.
Lack of tension despite the satellite disaster premise.
Weak character development and emotional connection.
Lengthy runtime with unnecessary subplots.
Missed opportunity to elevate humor and drama.

Verdict

On the whole, Skylab is an honest attempt with an interesting premise and capable cast, but weak storytelling and slow execution make it a disappointing theatrical watch. The film’s charm lies in Nithya Menen’s performance and the quaint village visuals, but it struggles to engage viewers consistently.

Bottom Line: Skylab falls short of expectations and works better as an OTT watch than a big-screen experience.

Lakshya tells the story of Parthu (Naga Shaurya), a gifted archer whose life revolves around the sport. Trained under the guidance of his grandfather (Sachin Khedekar), Parthu quickly rises to become a state champion.

However, tragedy strikes when his grandfather passes away, sending Parthu into a spiral of grief and addiction. The story follows his struggle to overcome personal demons, fight sabotage from jealous rivals, and ultimately win the world archery championship.

Alongside Parthu, the film explores relationships with his supportive girlfriend Rithika (Ketika Sharma), a rival archer Rahul Yadav, and a mentor figure played by Jagapathi Babu. The narrative attempts to combine sports action with emotional family drama.

Movie	Lakshya
Release Date	December 10, 2021
Director	Dheerendra Santhossh Jagarlapudi
Cast	Naga Shaurya, Ketika Sharma, Jagapathi Babu, Sachin Khedekar, Satya, Ravi Prakash
Production	Sri Venkateswara Cinemas LLP, Northstar Entertainment Private Limited
Music Director	Kaala Bhairava
Cinematography	Raam
Editor	Junaid Siddiqui
Producers	Narayan Das Narang, Puskur Ram Mohan Rao, Sharrath Marar

Highlights

Naga Shaurya’s physical transformation and dedication to the role.
Decent production values and cinematography.
Novelty of an archery-centric sports drama in Tollywood.
Early emotional sequences between Parthu and his grandfather.

Drawbacks

The second half suffers from dull narration and forced emotions.
Predictable screenplay and weak conflict points.
Underdeveloped romance and supporting characters.
Poor execution of championship and sports sequences.
Jagapathi Babu’s role feels unnecessary and over-the-top.

Verdict

On the whole, Lakshya is a sincere attempt at a sports drama but is weighed down by poor execution and a predictable narrative. Fans of Naga Shaurya may enjoy his transformation, but the film offers little for audiences seeking a gripping sports story.

Bottom Line: An archery-themed sports drama with potential, yet misses the bullseye.

Gamanam is an anthology drama that weaves together three distinct stories, set against the backdrop of a devastating flood in Hyderabad.
Kamala (Shriya Saran) – A deaf mother anxiously waiting for her husband to return from Dubai, faces personal and environmental turmoil.

Ali (Shiva Kandukuri) – A young, aspiring cricketer dreams of making it big despite his modest background. His struggles, rivalry, and relationship with girlfriend Zara (Priyanka Jawalkar) form the second story.

Two Homeless Kids – Innocent and endearing, their simple wish to buy a cake for their birthdays gets entangled in the chaos of floods and survival.

The climax tries to intersect the stories during the floods, with each character confronting both personal and natural challenges.

Movie	Gamanam
Release Date	December 10, 2021
Director	Sujana Rao
Cast	Shriya Saran, Nithya Menen, Shiva Kandukuri, Priyanka Jawalkar, Suhas, Charu Haasan, Bithiri Sathi
Production	Kria Film Corp, Kali Productions
Music Director	Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematography	Gnana Shekar V.S
Editor	Ramakrishna Arram
Producers	Ramesh Karutoori, Venki Pushadapu, Gnana Shekar V.S

Highlights

Shriya Saran’s committed performance as a deaf mother.
Engaging visuals of Hyderabad and flood sequences.
Ilaiyaraaja’s music and BGM add emotional depth in select scenes.
Young actors portraying the homeless kids are genuinely endearing.

Drawbacks

Disconnected anthology stories lacking cohesion.
Slow pace and weak conflict in the first half.
Forced thrills and illogical sequences in the flood climax.
Nithya Menen’s cameo feels unnecessary.
Emotional moments are underdeveloped, reducing audience engagement.

Verdict

On the whole, Gamanam is a visually competent but emotionally hollow anthology film. It has moments of sincerity and a few standout performances but is dragged down by poor narration, slow pacing, and a lack of depth in storytelling.

Bottom Line: A promising concept lost in execution; a watchable one-time experience for Shriya Saran fans, but not much else.