Category: Movies

Cheppina Evaru Nammaru is a suspense thriller centered around three friends – portrayed by Aaryan Krishna, Vikram Chary, and Vijayendra – whose seemingly ordinary lives take a dramatic turn due to unforeseen circumstances. Hoping for a carefree life, the trio soon finds themselves entangled in crime, corruption, and unexpected danger.

The story escalates when their journey takes them to Goa, where a series of incidents involving the drug mafia and a murder case drags them into a web of complications. A mysterious guide, Joseph, enters their lives, leading to a series of events that put their friendship, courage, and moral compass to the test. The film explores whether these friends can overcome their mistakes, prove their innocence, and reclaim their lives.

Movie	Cheppina Evaru Nammaru
Release Date	January 29, 2021
Director	Aaryan Krishna
Producer	M. Murali Srinivasulu (SMS Art Productions)
Cast	Aaryan Krishna, Supyardee Singh, Vikram Chary, Vijayendra
Music	Jagadeesh V
Genre	Suspense Thriller, Youth Drama

Highlights
Engaging premise targeting youth audiences.
Scenic Goa backdrop enhances visual appeal.
Sincere performances by lead actors, particularly Aaryan Krishna.
Some comedy and friendship sequences provide light entertainment.

Drawbacks
Predictable plot and underdeveloped thriller elements.
Poorly executed comedy and romance subplots.
Uneven pacing affecting audience engagement.
Limited character development and emotional depth.

Verdict
Cheppina Evaru Nammaru is a modest suspense thriller with a youth-centric premise. While it has the ingredients for an engaging story — crime, friendship, and moral dilemmas — inconsistent execution, weak suspense, and pacing issues hold it back. The film is watchable once for its performances and scenic visuals but falls short of being a compelling thriller.

Set in Yanam, A1 Express revolves around a historic hockey ground that faces the threat of being sold to a greedy corporate entity. The local minister (Rao Ramesh) is eager to hand over the land for personal gain, while the hockey team, led by coach Murali (Murali Sharma), fights to protect their pride and legacy.

Into this mix arrives Sanju (Sundeep Kishan), an ostensibly carefree youth from Vizag with his own past traumas. Initially drawn to Lavanya Rao (Lavanya Tripathi), a talented hockey player, Sanju gradually becomes the beacon of hope for the team. The story follows their struggle to save the ground, the emotional battles of friendship, love, and ambition, and culminates in a climactic hockey match that decides their fate.

Movie	A1 Express
Release Date	March 5, 2021
Director	Dennis Jeevan Kanukolanu
Cast	Sundeep Kishan, Lavanya Tripathi, Rao Ramesh, Murali Sharma, Priyadarshi, Rahul Ramakrishna, Posani Krishna Murali, Raghu Babu, Satya, Khayyum, Abhijeeth Poondla
Production	People Media Factory, Venkatadri Talkies, Abhishek Agarwal Arts
Producers	T.G. Vishwa Prasad, Abhishek Agarwal, Sundeep Kishan, Daya Pannem
Music	Hip Hop Tamizha
Cinematography	Kavin Raj D.F.Tech
Editor	Chota K. Prasad

Highlights
Sports theme combined with emotional drama makes the film engaging.
Sundeep Kishan’s performance is a highlight and visually convincing as a hockey player.
Rao Ramesh’s satirical political humor adds a sharp edge.
Authentic depiction of hockey matches and local cultural elements.
Lavanya Tripathi shines in her role, adding charm and confidence to the sports sequences.

Drawbacks
First half is slow, with the main plot taking time to unfold.
Some supporting characters (like the opposing team coach) lack screen presence, weakening certain match sequences.
Predictable storyline and convenient plot twists reduce the impact of emotional beats.
Overuse of background score and tilt-shift cinematography can be distracting.
Certain social-political subplots feel forced or underdeveloped.

Verdict
A1 Express is a mixed bag — a sports drama that entertains while highlighting the challenges faced by athletes in India. It blends comedy, romance, and action with sports, but uneven pacing and predictability slightly mar the overall experience.

Shaadi Mubarak tells the story of Sunnipenta Madhav (Sagar RK Naidu), an NRI from Australia who arrives in Hyderabad searching for a prospective bride. He is scheduled to meet three potential matches in a single day, with the help of Thupakula Satyabhama (Drishya Raghunath), the spirited daughter of a marriage consultant. What begins as a professional arrangement soon turns into a quirky romance filled with situational comedy, misunderstandings, and light-hearted banter.

Most of the narrative unfolds during a one-day journey through Hyderabad, making the film a unique rom-com set largely in a cab. Madhav’s interactions with Satyabhama, the amusing Pelli Choopulu sequences, and the eccentric side characters form the backbone of the story.

Movie	Shaadi Mubarak
Release Date	March 5, 2021
Director	Padmasri
Producer	Dil Raju, Shirish (Sri Venkateswara Creations)
Cast	Sagar RK Naidu, Drishya Raghunath, Rahul Ramakrishna, RJ Hemanth, Banerjee, Hema, Rajshree Nair, Aditi Myakal
Music Director	Sunil Kashyap
Cinematography	Srikanth Naroj
Editor	Madhu Chintala
Runtime	138 minutes
Genre	Romantic Comedy

Highlights
Situational comedy that works in the first half.
The chemistry and light-hearted interactions between Madhav and Satyabhama.
A unique setup of Pelli Choopulu in a single-day journey.
Clean, family-friendly humor without excessive melodrama.

Drawbacks
Sluggish pace in the second half.
Predictable and clichéd story beats.
Repetitive comedy and minor continuity issues.
Music and editing fail to elevate the viewing experience.
Lead characterization, especially Satyabhama, feels weak in parts.

Verdict
Shaadi Mubarak is a partially entertaining rom-com that starts off on a promising note but struggles to maintain momentum in its second half. The chemistry between Sagar RK Naidu and Drishya Raghunath is delightful, and the situational humor is occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. However, the predictable plot, sluggish pacing, and forgettable music prevent it from being a complete treat.
If you enjoy light, family-friendly romantic comedies with a quirky premise, Shaadi Mubarak can be a weekend watch. Keep your expectations moderate, and focus on the laughs and the fresh lead pairing rather than expecting a story with depth or novelty.

April 28 Em Jarigindi revolves around Vihari (Raja Ranjith), a struggling scriptwriter who embarks on a road trip to find inspiration for his next story. Accompanied by his wife Pravallika (Sherry Agarwal) and children, Vihari arrives in the quaint town of Siripuram. During a night halt, he notices strange events in an adjacent guest house and decides to stay there to draw creative ideas from these occurrences.

What starts as a simple exploration soon turns into a series of eerie incidents, revealing the presence of four mysterious spirits. The film then tries to unravel the backstory of these spirits and their connection to Vihari, forming the crux of the narrative.

Movie	April 28 Em Jarigindi
Release Date	February 27, 2021
Director	Veera Swamy.G
Producer	V. G. Entertainment
Cast	Raja Ranjith, Sherry Agarwal, Tanikella Bharani, Ajay, Rajeev Kanakala, Chammak Chandra
Music Director	Sandeep Kumar
Cinematography	Sunil Kumsar
Editor	K. Santosh
Genre	Thriller / Horror

Highlights
Conceptually different take on a horror-thriller.
Some engaging sequences in the first half.
Rajeev Kanakala and Raja Ranjith’s performances stand out intermittently.
Occasional comic relief, primarily through Chammak Chandra, though hit-and-miss.

Drawbacks
Uneven pacing, particularly in the second half.
Weak screenplay and inconsistent narration.
Limited characters, which make the film feel stretched at times.
Predictable plot twists and an underwhelming climax.
Music and cinematography fail to create a gripping thriller atmosphere.

Verdict
April 28 Em Jarigindi is a thriller with a fresh premise that unfortunately fails to maintain suspense and audience interest. While the first half shows promise with eerie setups and a curious storyline, the second half becomes predictable and slow, reducing the overall impact. Performances by Raja Ranjith, Sherry Agarwal, and Rajeev Kanakala provide moments of relief, but technical aspects like music, cinematography, and editing are just adequate.

Power Play revolves around Vijay (Raj Tarun), a young man with everything seemingly falling into place – a steady job on the horizon and a planned marriage with his love, Keerthy (Hemal Ingle). Just as life seems perfect, a fake note scam lands him in serious trouble, shattering his career plans, personal life, and family stability.

What follows is Vijay’s determined effort to clear his name. As he delves into the conspiracy, he discovers a larger network of crime involving influential figures, including a ruthless politician played by Poorna. The narrative explores how Vijay, a seemingly ordinary individual, maneuvers through this dangerous web to reclaim his life, career, and love.

Movie	Power Play
Release Date	March 5, 2021
Director	Vijay Kumar Konda
Producer	Mahidhar & Devesh (Vanamalee Creations)
Cast	Raj Tarun, Hemal Ingle, Poorna, Prince Cecil, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Ajay Ghosh, Satyam Rajesh, Raja Ravindra, Pooja Ramachandran
Music Director	Suresh Bobbili
Cinematography	I Andrew
Editor	Prawin Pudi
Genre	Thriller / Emotional Drama

Highlights
Raj Tarun’s serious performance and screen presence.
Poorna’s impactful portrayal of a politician adds depth to the story.
Initial sequences effectively set up suspense and drama.
Technical aspects like cinematography and production design are well-handled.

Drawbacks
Slow first half with forced emotional sequences.
Thriller elements underwhelming; suspense often predictable.
The Love track between Raj Tarun and Hemal lacks chemistry.
Climax and resolution fail to create lasting impact.
Direction lacks the pacing and finesse required for a gripping thriller.

Verdict
Power Play is a commendable attempt at a serious thriller for Raj Tarun and director Vijay Kumar Konda, but it struggles with pacing, suspense, and execution. The first half and some second-half twists hold interest, and Poorna’s performance stands out. However, forced emotions, dragged sequences, and a predictable climax weaken the overall impact.

Play Back is a Telugu horror-thriller that experiments with a cross-time communication concept. Karthik (Dinesh Tej), a crime reporter in 2019, moves into a rented house with a peculiar old landline telephone. Soon, he starts receiving mysterious calls from Sujatha (Ananya Nagalla), a woman from 1993.

As the story unfolds, Karthik tries to uncover who Sujatha is, why she is contacting him, and the connection between their lives across decades. The plot thickens with a murder subplot and hidden secrets tied to the house and the people in it. The narrative flips between 1993 and 2019, blending suspense, mystery, and a hint of supernatural intrigue.

Movie	Play Back
Release Date	March 5, 2021
Director	Hari Prasad Jakka
Producer	Prasad Rao Peddineni (Sri Venkateswara Art Creations)
Cast	Dinesh Tej, Ananya Nagalla, Arjun Kalyan, Spandana Palli, Thagubothu Ramesh, Gautam Raju, TNR, Murthy, Ananda Chakrapani, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Karthikeya Krishna Malladi, Ashok Vardhan
Music Director	Kamran
Cinematography	K Bujji
Editor	Bonthala Nageswara Reddy
Genre	Horror / Thriller / Suspense

Highlights
Unique cross-time concept connecting 1993 and 2019 via a telephone.
Ananya Nagalla’s natural and expressive performance.
Decent suspense and horror sequences in the first half.
No songs, which keeps the focus on the thriller narrative.

Drawbacks
Overcomplicated second half with confusing time jumps.
Murder subplot underdeveloped and weakly integrated.
Background score and editing inconsistent in sustaining suspense.
Technical limitations slightly undermine the ambitious concept.

Verdict
Play Back is a commendable attempt at delivering a fresh Telugu thriller with a time-travel twist. The cross-time telephone concept is intriguing, and the first half maintains curiosity. Ananya Nagalla shines as the female lead, and the eerie atmosphere holds promise.However, frequent jumps across timelines, an undercooked murder subplot, and uneven technical execution prevent the film from becoming truly engaging.