Category: Movies

Maro Prasthanam revolves around Siva (Tanish), a small-time criminal and loyal lieutenant of the ruthless gangster Rane Bhai (Kabir Duhan Singh). Siva dreams of leaving the underworld behind after falling in love with Saini (Archana Singh), planning to start a peaceful life in Goa. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he stumbles upon a mysterious dead body, setting off a chain of events that pull him back into a world of crime, betrayal, and violence.

The narrative explores Siva’s journey from a reckless gangster to a man forced to confront the dark realities of his world. Supporting characters like Yuvidha (Muskan Sethi), Naini (Archana Singh), and Naval Officer Atul (Raja Ravindra) are connected to this turning point, creating suspense and tension that drives the story forward.

Movie	Maro Prasthanam
Release Date	September 24, 2021
Director	Johny
Producers	Shaik Jani Basha (Mirth Media)
Cast	Tanish, Muskan Sethi, Archana Singh, Kabir Duhan Singh, Amit Tiwari, Raja Ravindra
Music Director	Sunil Kashyap
Cinematography	M. N. Balreddy
Editor	Kranthi R. K.
Production Banner	Mirth Media, Himalaya Studio Mansion

Highlights

Tanish’s committed performance as a conflicted gangster
Ambitious attempt at one-shot filmmaking
Strong cinematography by M. N. Balreddy
Occasional gripping fight and suspense sequences

Drawbacks

Routine and predictable story
Slow-paced first half
Weak screenplay and underdeveloped characters
Music and songs fail to make a mark
Editing and pacing issues

Verdict

On the whole, Maro Prasthanam is an ambitious crime thriller that struggles to make a lasting impact. Tanish delivers a commendable performance, and the cinematography and suspense sequences are decent, but the predictable plot, slow pacing, and underdeveloped characters hold it back. Fans of crime dramas may find some engaging moments, but the film ends up as a routine, mixed-experience watch.

Republic is a socio-political drama centered on Abhiram (Sai Dharam Tej), an upright and inquisitive individual who is deeply disturbed by systemic corruption. Witnessing his father (Jagapathi Babu) indulge in bureaucratic malpractice, Abhiram resolves to clean the system from within by joining the IAS.

Posted in his own hometown as District Collector, Abhiram faces a series of challenges, including tackling the corrupt politician Vishaka Vani (Ramya Krishna), saving Telleru Lake from pollution due to illegal fisheries, and handling personal stakes like protecting Myra (Aishwarya Rajesh), an NRI searching for her missing brother.

The narrative explores the hurdles faced by an honest officer in a system riddled with political and bureaucratic malpractice, blending personal drama with societal issues.

Movie	Republic
Release Date	October 1, 2021
Director	Deva Katta
Producers	J. Bhagawan, J. Pulla Rao, JB Entertainments, Zee Studios
Cast	Sai Dharam Tej, Aishwarya Rajesh, Ramya Krishna, Jagapathi Babu, Subbaraju, Aamani, Posani Krishna Murali, Rahul Ramakrishna
Music Director	Mani Sharma
Cinematography	M. Sukumar
Editor	K. L. Praveen
Production Banner	JB Entertainments & Zee Studios

Highlights

Honest and relevant social-political premise
Sai Dharam Tej’s restrained and sincere performance
Powerful dialogues in key confrontational scenes
Strong cinematography that enhances the serious tone
Intellectually driven narrative with philosophical undertones

Drawbacks

Slow-paced first half
Uneven screenplay and narrative structure
Underdeveloped supporting characters
Predictable second half and climactic sequences
Limited entertainment value for mainstream audiences

Verdict

Republic is a well-intentioned political drama that explores corruption, bureaucracy, and moral responsibility. While the performances, dialogues, and cinematography are commendable, the slow pacing, uneven screenplay, and predictable narrative make it a watch with moderate expectations.

The Rose Villa is a suspense thriller that revolves around Doctor Ravi (Dheekshith Shetty) and his wife Shwetha (Swetha Varma), a novelist, who find themselves stranded in Munnar when their car breaks down. While inadvertently heading towards a dangerous Naxal zone, they are safely escorted by the police to a local restaurant.

Here, Ravi heroically saves retired army officer Solomon (Raja Ravindra), who, along with his wife Helen (Archana Kumar), invites the couple to their luxurious home, The Rose Villa, to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

What starts as a pleasant evening slowly spirals into a tense, mysterious situation. Ravi and Shwetha find themselves trapped in the house due to strange and shocking developments. When Ravi’s worried mother lodges a police complaint, Inspector Shiva (Vennela Ramarao) begins to uncover dark secrets surrounding The Rose Villa. The story gradually unravels the mystery behind the house and its inhabitants.

Movie	The Rose Villa
Release Date	October 1, 2021
Director	Hemanth
Producers	Achuta Rama Rao P
Cast	Dheekshith Shetty, Swetha Varma, Raja Ravindra, Archana Kumar, Vennela Ramarao, TNR
Music Director	Suresh Bobbili
Cinematography	Garudavega Anji
Editor	Shiva
Production Banner	Chitra Mandir Studios

Highlights

Strong performances by Dheekshith Shetty and Raja Ravindra
Effective background score and suspenseful music
Cinematography capturing natural and realistic locations
Compact runtime keeps the narrative moving

Drawbacks

Simple plot lacking major twists and turns
Limited commercial or masala elements, which might reduce appeal for mainstream audiences
Some repetitive scenes reduce tension in parts

Verdict

The Rose Villa is an engaging suspense thriller with strong performances and a realistic, immersive backdrop. It offers a Hollywood-inspired flavor with emotional undertones but falters slightly due to its straightforward plot and lack of commercial elements.

Idhe Maa Katha is a road journey drama that brings together four individuals from diverse backgrounds, each carrying their own emotional baggage. Ajay (Sumanth Ashwin), a spirited and adventurous biker, dreams of winning the 25th Royal Enfield Bike Rally in Ladakh, defying his father’s wishes. Lakshmi (Bhumika Chawla), a determined housewife, seeks to fulfill her late father’s dream by completing his innovative bike project, despite a lack of support from her husband.

Mahendra (Srikanth), a middle-aged businessman, travels to Ladakh hoping to reconnect with his first love Tulasi, attempting to heal old wounds. Meghana (Tanya Hope), a modern young woman heartbroken by her boyfriend, joins the journey in search of freedom and self-discovery.

Their paths intersect on the road to Ladakh, forming an unlikely group whose experiences, challenges, and evolving relationships define the heart of the film. The story explores themes of dreams, second chances, and personal growth against the backdrop of scenic locales and adventurous bike rides.

Movie	Idhe Maa Katha
Release Date	October 2, 2021
Director	Guru Pawan
Producer	G Mahesh
Cast	Sumanth Ashwin, Bhumika Chawla, Srikanth, Tanya Hope, Saptagiri, Subbaraju, Prudhvi Raj, Ram Prasad
Music Director	Sunil Kashyap
Cinematography	C Ram Prasad
Editor	Junaid Siddiqui
Production Banner	Gurappa Productions

Highlights

Novel road journey storyline with diverse characters
Strong performances from Bhumika Chawla and Srikanth
Scenic cinematography enhancing the adventurous feel
Comic sequences by Saptagiri and Prudhvi Raj
Background score that supports emotional depth

Drawbacks

Slow-paced second half reduces engagement
Limited chemistry between lead pairs
Lack of commercial or high-energy elements
Editing could have been crisper to maintain momentum

Verdict

Idhe Maa Katha is a heartfelt road journey with solid performances and beautiful visuals but is hindered by pacing issues and a lack of commercial appeal. It’s an okay watch for audiences who enjoy emotional dramas blended with adventure.

Aaradugula Bullet tells the story of Siva (Gopichand), a carefree young man whose father Murthy (Prakash Raj) disapproves of his aimless lifestyle. Siva is in love with Nayana (Nayanthara), and their romance blossoms amid family drama. Trouble arises when a menacing local don, Kashi (Abhimanyu Singh), sets his sights on Murthy’s property.

The narrative follows Siva’s journey as he battles the goon to reclaim his family’s land and prove himself worthy in his father’s eyes. Along the way, the story touches on familial bonds, romance, and comedy, culminating in a typical action-packed climax that resolves the conflicts.

Movie	Aaradugula Bullet
Release Date	October 8, 2021
Director	B. Gopal
Producer	Tandra Ramesh
Cast	Gopichand, Nayanthara, Prakash Raj, Abhimanyu Singh, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Brahmanandam, Jaya Prakash Reddy, Rama Prabha, Uttej
Music Director	Mani Sharma
Cinematography	M. Balamurugan
Editor	Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Production Banner	Jaya Balaji Real Media

Highlights

Gopichand’s youthful energy and action sequences
Prakash Raj’s emotional depth in the father-son conflict
Comedy in the first half from Brahmanandam and others

Drawbacks

Story feels clichéd and predictable
Direction lacks focus in the second half
Villain underwhelming and fails to create tension
Outdated visuals, songs, and narrative due to delayed release
Weak emotional engagement in the latter part of the film

Verdict

Aaradugula Bullet is a long-delayed mass entertainer that shines in sporadic action and family drama sequences but fails to engage consistently. Its outdated presentation, weak villain, and formulaic plot make it a below-average watch for the weekend.

Konda Polam is a Telugu adventure drama based on Sannapureddy Venkataramireddy’s acclaimed novel of the same name. The film follows Ravindra Yadav (Vaisshnav Tej), a young man from a shepherding family in a drought-hit village near the Nallamala forest. After failing to secure a job in Hyderabad despite multiple attempts, Ravindra returns to his village.

Under unavoidable circumstances, he joins his father (Sai Chand), childhood friend Obulamma (Rakul Preet Singh), and other villagers in the traditional practice of Konda Polam—a 40-day trek into the forest to find grazing grounds and water for their livestock. Along the way, they face wild animals, smugglers cutting down precious Bommakarra trees, and the harsh realities of survival in the wilderness.

The narrative is framed through Ravindra’s UPSC IFS interview, where he recounts how this experience transforms him from a timid, insecure young man into a confident and capable individual.

Movie	Konda Polam
Release Date	October 8, 2021
Director	Krish Jagarlamudi
Producers	Saibabu Jagarlamudi, Rajeev Reddy
Cast	Panja Vaisshnav Tej, Rakul Preet Singh, Sai Chand, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Nassar, Ravi Prakash, Hema, Mahesh Vitta
Music Director	M.M. Keeravani
Cinematography	Gnana Sekhar VS
Editor	Shravan Katikaneni
Production Banner	First Frame Entertainments

Highlights

Unique premise showcasing the life of shepherds in Nallamala forests
Vaishnav Tej’s and Rakul Preet Singh’s performances
Authentic rural and forest settings captured through cinematography
M.M. Keeravani’s impactful background score

Drawbacks

Slow first half with uneven pacing
Lack of a strong antagonist or central conflict
Some sequences feel repetitive and cinematic liberties dilute realism
Love tracks and certain monologues appear forced

Verdict

Konda Polam is a commendable attempt to adapt a literary work to cinema, with strong performances, authentic visuals, and a unique premise. However, slow pacing, minor narrative flaws, and lack of cinematic tension prevent it from being a fully engaging experience. For viewers interested in rural dramas and coming-of-age tales set against nature’s backdrop, the film offers a worthwhile watch.