Author: Chiranjeevi Reddy

Sashi revolves around Raj Kumar (Aadi Saikumar), a talented singer in a local band whose life is marred by anger management issues and alcoholism, a result of a tragic past. His reckless behavior strains family ties, especially with his elder brother Ajay (Ajay), who constantly urges him to take responsibility.

Raj becomes intrigued by Sashi (Surbhi Puranik), a young woman whose mental health has been affected by a similar tragedy. As Raj tries to help her, their pasts collide, raising questions: Can they heal each other’s wounds, or will confronting trauma push them further into despair?

The story explores themes of love, heartbreak, and mental health, but struggles with sensitive portrayal and narrative consistency.

Movie	Sashi
Release Date	March 19, 2021
Director	Nadikatla Srinivas Naidu
Producer	R.P. Varma, Chavali Ramanjaneyulu, Chintalapudi Srinivasa Rao
Banner	Sri Hanuman Movie Makers
Cast	Aadi Saikumar, Surbhi Puranik, Tulasi, Harsha Chemudu, Vennela Kishore, Sudarshan, Rajeev Kanakala, Ajay, Raashi Singh
Music	Arun Chiluveru
Cinematography	Amarnadh Bommireddy (D.F. Tech)
Editor	Satya G
Action	Real Satish

Highlights
Music and songs, especially Oka Oka Lokam, are well-composed and visually appealing
Aadi shows improvement in performance compared to his previous films
Some emotional sequences with family dynamics are heartfelt
Raashi Singh’s cameo adds depth to minor subplots

Drawbacks
Formulaic story reminiscent of Arjun Reddy and other heartbreak dramas
Weak narrative and poorly developed conflict points
Mishandling of sensitive topics like mental health
Outdated comedy track that disrupts the flow
Predictable plot twists and cliched romantic tropes
Slow pace in the second half, making the film feel tedious

Verdict
Sashi had the potential to explore a romantic drama intertwined with themes of trauma and healing. While Aadi Saikumar and Surbhi Puranik deliver competent performances, the film falters with predictable storytelling, weak conflict development, and mishandled sensitive themes.

Rang De tells the story of Arjun (Nithiin) and Anupama “Anu” (Keerthy Suresh), childhood neighbors with a love-hate dynamic that defines their relationship from an early age. Arjun, the pampered son of his parents, constantly finds himself in Anu’s shadow, leading to jealousy and playful rivalry.

Anu secretly harbors feelings for Arjun, but he is oblivious, viewing her more as a competitor than a potential partner. Circumstances lead them into an unexpected marriage, and life becomes even more complicated when Anu announces her pregnancy. The narrative follows how Arjun navigates his emotional immaturity, family pressures, and his evolving relationship with Anu, culminating in a mix of comedy, romance, and family drama.

Movie	Rang De
Release Date	March 26, 2021
Director	Venky Atluri
Producer	Suryadevara Naga Vamsi
Banner	Sithara Entertainments
Cast	Nithiin, Keerthy Suresh, Naresh, Kausalya, Rohini, Brahmaji, Vennela Kishore, Suhas, Abhinav Gomatam
Music	Devi Sri Prasad
Cinematography	P. C. Sreeram
Editor	Naveen Nooli

Highlights
Nithiin and Keerthy Suresh’s chemistry is natural and believable
Strong emotional beats in the second half, particularly around family and pregnancy
Comedy sequences by Vennela Kishore and Brahmaji add levity without overwhelming the narrative
Cinematography by P. C. Sreeram enhances the romantic and fun tone
Balanced mix of romance, humor, and family sentiment

Drawbacks
Story is predictable and follows familiar rom-com tropes
First-half setup is stronger than the second half, which feels rushed in Dubai
Some minor characters and subplots are underutilized
Nithiin’s character arc could have had more depth in emotional scenes
Routine scenarios limit novelty

Verdict
Rang De is a well-crafted romantic comedy that balances humor, romance, and family sentiment. While it does rely on familiar tropes and predictable scenarios, the film is elevated by Nithiin and Keerthy Suresh’s chemistry, strong emotional moments, and the vibrant visual treatment.

Aranya tells the story of Narendra Bhupathi, also known as Aranya (Rana Daggubati), a man who has spent his entire life in the dense forests near Vizag. Deeply connected to wildlife, especially elephants, Aranya has dedicated himself to preserving the forest and maintaining harmony between humans and animals.

The tranquility of the forest is threatened when a corrupt Environment Minister (Ananth Mahadevan) and a powerful real estate company plan to construct a 500-acre luxury township. A 6 km wall is erected to block the elephants’ access to water, pushing them into a survival crisis. Aranya, the forest guardian, must now take a stand against the greed-driven developers to save both the elephants and the forest ecosystem.

Movie	Aranya
Release Date	March 26, 2021
Director	Prabhu Solomon
Producer	Eros International
Cast	Rana Daggubati, Vishnu Vishal, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Zoya Hussain, Ananth Mahadevan, Raghu Babu, Sampath Ram, Ashvin Raja, Tinnu Anand
Music	Shantanu Moitra
Cinematography	A. R. Ashok Kumar
Editor	Bhuvan
Action	Stunner Sam & Stun Siva

Highlights
Rana Daggubati’s powerful and dedicated performance.
Stunning cinematography that highlights the forest and its wildlife.
Strong environmental message about deforestation, wildlife conservation, and human greed.
Sound design and background score that elevate tension and drama.
Elephants are portrayed as emotionally intelligent and central to the story.

Drawbacks
Weak screenplay with multiple underdeveloped subplots.
Overly formulaic narrative: ‘one man vs. greedy developers’ template.
The second half is slow, with patchy editing and unnecessary city sequences.
The supporting cast, barring Raghu Babu, fails to leave an impact.
Climax feels rushed and relies on monologues rather than clever resolution.
Trilingual production compromises authenticity in the Telugu version, especially with dubbing.

Verdict
Aranya is a visually impressive, environmentally conscious film with a standout performance by Rana Daggubati. While the film’s message is strong and necessary, weak narration, underdeveloped supporting characters, and pacing issues prevent it from reaching its full potential.

Thellavarithe Guruvaram is a Telugu rom-com that takes place over the course of a single night. The film revolves around Veeru (Sri Simha Koduri) and Madhu (Misha Narang), a couple who are all set for an early morning wedding but are reluctant to tie the knot. Veeru, still in love with Dr. Krishnaveni (Chitra Shukla), and Madhu, wary of marriage due to personal reasons, decide to escape their wedding simultaneously.

Forced to spend the night together while running away, the duo opens up about their insecurities, past heartbreaks, and fears, slowly discovering a connection that may lead them to genuinely fall in love. What unfolds during this night of confusions, mishaps, and comedy forms the core of the film.

Movie	Thellavarithe Guruvaram
Release Date	March 27, 2021
Director	Manikanth Gelli
Producer	Rajani Korrapati, Ravindra Benerjee Muppaneni
Banner	Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram and Loukya Entertainments
Cast	Sri Simha Koduri, Chitra Shukla, Misha Narang, Satya, Viva Harsha, Rajeev Kanakala, Sharanya Pradeep, Ajay, Ravi Varma, Venkata Giridhar Mourya
Music	Kaala Bhairava
Cinematography	Suresh Ragutu
Editor	Satya Giduthuri

Highlights
Unique single-night rom-com setup with potential for engaging storytelling.
Satya’s comedy is consistently entertaining.
Sri Simha shows notable improvement as a lead actor.
Technical aspects like cinematography and production design are commendable.

Drawbacks
Slow narration and pacing issues, particularly in the second half.
Female characters, especially Chitra Shukla and Misha Narang, are underdeveloped.
Several scenes are absurd and lack logic, e.g., the goat marriage sequence.
Climax feels rushed and forced.
Comedy and drama could have been better integrated to maintain engagement.

Verdict
Thellavarithe Guruvaram is a rom-com with a fresh premise but falters due to slow pacing, uneven storytelling, and absurd plot points. Satya’s comedy and Sri Simha’s performance provide intermittent enjoyment, but the film struggles to maintain interest throughout.

Wild Dog is a taut action thriller inspired by true events surrounding terror attacks in India. ACP Vijay Varma (Nagarjuna), a suspended and hot-headed NIA officer, is called back into action to track down Khalid Bhatkal, the mastermind behind a series of bomb blasts in Pune and Hyderabad.

Haunted by the tragic loss of his daughter in one of these attacks, Vijay takes on the mission with unwavering resolve. The investigation leads him and his team across India and into Nepal, navigating treacherous terrains, dangerous encounters, and tight operational constraints.

The film explores how a skilled NIA team, led by a determined officer, meticulously tracks and confronts terrorists while balancing personal grief, professional integrity, and national duty.

Movie	Wild Dog
Release Date	April 2, 2021
Director	Ahishor Solomon
Producer	S. Niranjan Reddy, K. Anvesh Reddy
Banner	Matinee Entertainment
Cast	Akkineni Nagarjuna, Dia Mirza, Saiyami Kher, Ali Reza, Mayank Parakh, Atul Kulkarni, Prakash Sudarsan, Pradeep, Bilal Hossein
Music	S. Thaman
Cinematography	Shaneil Deo
Editor	Shravan Katikaneni

Wild Dog Movie Trailer

Highlights
Strong central performance by Nagarjuna.
Crisp runtime of 129 minutes keeps the second half engaging.
Realistic action and investigative sequences.
Saiyami Kher and Ali Reza stand out in supporting roles.
Avoids unnecessary commercial or romantic subplots.

Drawbacks
Dull first half with minimal tension.
Predictable storyline with few surprises.
Emotional depth is underexplored, particularly the personal loss subplot.
Some investigative and action sequences feel slightly oversimplified or unrealistic.

Verdict
Wild Dog is a competent action thriller with a realistic portrayal of NIA operations and strong performances, especially by Nagarjuna. Its clinical approach to terrorism and law enforcement will appeal to fans of procedural thrillers, though the slow start and predictable sequences may test patience.

Y is a Telugu suspense thriller centered on the fragile balance between ambition, creativity, and ego. Raghuram (Sriram), a successful Telugu film director, faces a career setback when one of his movies flops spectacularly, affecting him both professionally and mentally. To overcome his creative block, his wife convinces him to hire a writer.

Enter Balu (Rahul Ramakrishna), a struggling writer with a strong story idea. Raghuram is impressed by Balu’s narration but makes the controversial decision to take the credit for the story himself. This choice sparks a conflict that drives the rest of the narrative. The film explores the consequences of betrayal, ambition, and professional rivalry, keeping audiences on edge with its central suspense twist.

Movie	Y
Release Date	April 3, 2021
Director	Baalu Adusumilli
Producer	Yerukonda Raghu Ram, Srinivas Vegi, Murali Maturu
Banner	Yerukonda Entertainments
Cast	Sriram, Rahul Ramakrishna, Akshaya Chander, Gemini Suresh, Raghu Babu, Katthi Mahesh
Music	Vikas Badisa
Cinematography	Darshan
Editor	Chota K. Prasad

Highlights
Strong lead performances by Sriram and Rahul Ramakrishna.
Engaging confrontations that drive the core suspense of the story.
Short runtime keeps the narrative concise.
Effective supporting cast, including moments of comic relief.
The central twist is executed well and keeps the audience intrigued.

Drawbacks
The basic storyline lacks novelty and complexity.
Narration becomes uneven post-twist, losing audience engagement.
Key characters could have been further developed to enhance the main conflict.
Technical aspects such as cinematography and music are functional but not standout.

Verdict
On the whole, Y offers an intriguing premise with strong performances but is weighed down by a routine storyline and uneven narration. The film is watchable for those who enjoy light suspense thrillers and performances-driven narratives, but it may not satisfy viewers seeking a fully gripping, edge-of-the-seat experience.