Category: Movies

Set in the early 2000s in Sircilla, Telangana, Ardha Shathabdham is a Telugu drama that delves deep into the intricacies of love and caste-based conflicts. The story revolves around Krishna (Karthik Rathnam), a young man from a humble weaving community, who has been secretly in love with Pushpa (Krishna Priya), the daughter of former Maoist leader Ramanna (Sai Kumar), since their school days.

Krishna’s quiet affection takes a dramatic turn when a misunderstanding involving a flower triggers a violent clash between rival factions in the village. What begins as innocent love quickly escalates into full-blown caste conflict, dragging the entire town into chaos. The central question remains: can Krishna’s love survive the entrenched social norms, or will it be crushed under the weight of societal violence?

Movie	Ardha Shathabdham
Release Date	June 11, 2021
Director	Rawindra Pulle
Producers	Chitti Kiran Ramoju, Telu Radha Krishna
Cast	Karthik Rathnam, Naveen Chandra, Krishna Priya, Suhas, P. Sai Kumar, Subhalekha Sudhakar, Pavitra Lokesh, Raja Ravindra, Ajay
Music Composer	Nawfal Raja AIS
Cinematography	Venkat R Shakamuri, EJ Venu
Editor	J Prathap Kumar
Art Director	Sumit Patel
Streaming On	Aha Video

Highlights
Strong performances by Karthik Rathnam and Subhalekha Sudhakar
Realistic depiction of rural Telangana and village life
Themes of caste, honor, and societal oppression are relevant and thought-provoking
Some well-crafted moments in the climax and second half

Drawbacks
First half feels slow and repetitive with mundane romantic sequences
Poor integration of Naveen Chandra’s and Sai Kumar’s characters into the main plot
Forced depiction of caste-based violence and exaggerated faction fights
Lack of chemistry between lead pair
Songs are poorly placed and disrupt the pacing

Verdict
Ardha Shathabdham attempts to tell a story about love, caste, and social repercussions but struggles with pacing and clarity. While the concept is compelling and the performances are solid, the film falters in execution, particularly in its first half and in the depiction of caste conflicts.

Pachchis is a Telugu crime thriller centered on Abhiram (Raamz), a carefree gambler whose life is dominated by debts and dangerous liaisons. To pay off a huge sum of ₹25 lakhs owed to casino owner RK (Ravi Varma), Abhiram devises a risky plan, unwittingly entangling himself in a local political feud between Gangadhar (Vishwender Reddy) and Basava Raju (Subhalekha Sudhakar).

In the process, he crosses paths with Avantika (Swetaa Varma), a determined woman searching for her missing brother. As Abhiram navigates this high-stakes world of gambling, crime, and political power games, the story unfolds with car chases, gunfights, and backstabbing that keeps him on edge. The film gradually reveals layers of deceit, hidden motives, and survival instincts, leaving viewers wondering how Abhiram and Avantika will escape the web of danger.

Movie	Pachchis
Release Date	June 12, 2021
Directors	Sri Krishna & Rama Sai
Producers	Kaushik Kumar Kathuri, Rama Sai
Cast	Raamz, Swetaa Varma, Jay Chandra, Ravi Varma, Dayanand Reddy, Subhalekha Sudhakar, Vishwender Reddy
Music Composer	Smaran Sai
Cinematography	Kartik Parmar
Editor	Rana Prathap
Production Banners	Avasa Chitram, Raasta Films, Mango Mass Media
Streaming On	Amazon Prime Video

Highlights
Dark, realistic portrayal of crime and political intrigue
Strong performances by Raamz, Swetaa Varma, and Ravi Varma
Effective cinematography that complements the thriller mood
Characters are well-motivated and layered
Engaging first half with tense sequences and clever plot twists

Drawbaccks
Repetitive scenes in the second half reduce excitement
Clinical and convoluted screenplay makes it hard to stay invested
Emotional depth for key characters like Avantika is underexplored
Open-ended climax feels slightly unresolved
Background score, though tense, lacks memorability

Verdict
Pachchis is a dark, edgy thriller with a promising premise. Raamz and Swetaa Varma deliver commendable performances, and the film’s technical finesse is noteworthy. However, a stretched screenplay and inconsistent pacing make it an uneven watch. For fans of crime thrillers and political espionage dramas, Pachchis is worth a weekend OTT watch, but expectations should be tempered.

Narappa is a tense family drama with a revenge-driven narrative. The story revolves around Narappa (Venkatesh), a humble farmer living peacefully with his wife Sundaramma (Priyamani), their daughter, and two sons, Munikanna (Karthik Rathnam) and the younger Sinnappa (Rakhi).

When a powerful village landlord, Pandusami (Aadukalam Naren), attempts to seize their land, a chain of tragic events is set in motion. Munikanna, driven by anger and justice, rebels against the oppression, resulting in a violent confrontation that forces Narappa to take extreme measures to protect his family.

The narrative explores caste-based oppression, the feudal system, and the struggles of underprivileged farmers while highlighting the father-son relationship at the core.

Movie	Narappa
Release Date	July 20, 2021
Director	Srikanth Addala
Producers	D. Suresh Babu, Kalaippuli S. Thanu
Cast	Venkatesh, Priyamani, Karthik Rathnam, Rajeev Kanakala, Vasishta N. Simha, Rao Ramesh, Brahmaji, Nassar, Prabhakar, Rakhi
Music Composer	Mani Sharma
Cinematography	Sam K Naidu
Editor	Marthand Venkatesh
Action Choreography	Peter Hein
Production Banners	Suresh Productions, V Creations
Streaming On	Amazon Prime Video

Highlights

Venkatesh’s powerhouse performance anchors the film.
The first half delivers strong emotional impact and gripping drama.
Rustic visuals and authentic village settings enhance immersion.
Well-choreographed action sequences add intensity.
Faithful adaptation of the source material Asuran, retaining the core message.

Drawbacks

Flashback sequences in the second half reduce narrative momentum.
Venkatesh’s portrayal of the younger Narappa feels miscast.
Predictable climax for viewers familiar with Asuran.
Supporting cast performances are inconsistent at times.
Romantic subplot between Venkatesh and Ammu Abhirami feels unnecessary and slightly jarring.

Verdict

On the whole, Narappa is a compelling family drama with strong action and emotional sequences. Venkatesh delivers a standout performance, Priyamani adds depth, and the film’s rustic visuals, gripping interval, and survival drama make it engaging. While the second half falters slightly and the remake feels predictable for those familiar with Asuran, Narappa is still worth a watch for Telugu audiences on OTT.

Thimmarusu is a gripping Telugu crime thriller that revolves around the pursuit of justice. The story kicks off with the murder of a cab driver, Aravind, who doubles as a police informer. The young pub employee Vasu (Ankith Koyya) is framed for the crime and sentenced to eight long years in prison.

Eight years later, a sharp-witted and ambitious lawyer, Ramachandra (Satyadev), decides to reopen the case. With the help of his girlfriend (Priyanka Jawalkar) and lawyer friend Sudha (Brahmaji), he dives deep into the twisted web of deceit, corruption, and criminal nexus in the police department. As Ramachandra uncovers hidden motives and pieces together crucial evidence, he battles against time, the villainous forces behind the murder, and the courtroom’s tense drama to prove Vasu’s innocence.

Movie	Thimmarusu
Release Date	July 30, 2021
Director	Sharan Koppisetty
Producers	Mahesh Koneru, Srujan Yarabolu
Production Banner	East Coast Productions, S Originals
Cast	Satyadev Kancharana, Priyanka Jawalkar, Brahmaji, Ajay, Aadarsh Balakrishna, Harsha Chemudu, Ravi Babu, Ankith Koyya
Music Director	Sricharan Pakala
Cinematography	Appu Prabhakar
Editor	Tammi Raju
Streaming On	Netflix

Highlights

Strong central performance by Satyadev as an intelligent and determined lawyer.
Well-crafted courtroom sequences with edge-of-the-seat suspense.
Brahmaji’s situational comedy provides relief in a tense narrative.
Effective investigative sequences and pre-climax twists.

Drawbacks

The heroine’s track is weak and underdeveloped.
Certain investigative sequences and plot developments feel contrived.
Slow-paced first half in parts, affecting overall engagement.
Villain’s characterization and motivation are weak, reducing tension in crucial moments.
Flashback sequences and excessive detailing in some areas disrupt narrative flow.

Verdict

Thimmarusu is a moderately engaging crime drama with suspenseful elements, strong performances by the lead, and an interesting legal thriller backdrop. While the slow pacing, weak heroine track, and contrived plot points prevent it from being a complete success, Satyadev’s commanding performance and certain investigative twists make it a worthy watch for thriller enthusiasts this weekend.

Set against the scenic backdrop of Vizag, Ishq: Not a Love Story tells the tale of Siddhu (Teja Sajja) and Anu (Priya Prakash Varrier), a young couple deeply in love. On Anu’s birthday, Siddhu plans a surprise long drive to a secluded parking spot for some private time. Their romantic escapade is abruptly interrupted when two men, claiming to be police officers, harass and intimidate them. What follows is a chilling ordeal that tests the couple’s patience, courage, and the limits of justice.

As the story progresses, Siddhu transitions from a timid lover to a man seeking revenge, while Anu navigates the trauma of moral policing. The second half escalates into a revenge drama, culminating in a hard-hitting and realistic climax.

Movie	Ishq
Release Date	July 30, 2021
Director	S. S. Raju
Producers	NV Prasad, Paras Jain, Vakada Anjan Kumar, RB Choudary
Production Banner	Mega Super Good Films
Cast	Teja Sajja, Priya Prakash Varrier, Ravindra Vijay, and others
Music Director	Mahati Swara Sagar
Cinematography	Shyam K. Naidu
Editor	A Vara Prasad
Art Director	Vithal Kosanam

Highlights

The story addresses relevant social issues like moral policing and toxic masculinity.
Teja Sajja’s performance effectively portrays a layered character.
Ravindra Vijay’s antagonist is convincingly menacing.
The transition from romance to thriller is impactful, especially in the pre-interval and climax sequences.

Drawbacks

Being a faithful remake of the Malayalam original, it may feel repetitive for viewers familiar with it.
The initial 20 minutes drag before the main conflict begins.
Certain harassment and revenge sequences stretch believability.
Romantic chemistry between the leads is underplayed, reducing engagement for typical Telugu audiences expecting light-hearted romance.
Writing and direction occasionally fail to sustain tension.

Verdict

Ishq: Not a Love Story is a daring Telugu romance that turns dark, tackling moral policing and toxic masculinity. While performances and social relevance stand out, slow pacing and an underdeveloped romantic track hinder wider appeal.
If you’re seeking a love story with a realistic and hard-hitting twist, Ishq offers a compelling one-time watch. Keep your expectations aligned with its intense tone rather than a typical commercial romance.

Set in the small town of Rayachoti in Andhra Pradesh’s Kadapa district, SR Kalyanamandapam revolves around Kalyan (Kiran Abbavaram), a young and cheerful engineering student deeply in love with his classmate Sindhu (Priyanka Jawalkar). While his romantic pursuits form the first half of the film, the real story is rooted in his fractured relationship with his father Dharma (Sai Kumar).

Dharma, an alcoholic, struggles with failures in his life, particularly managing the family function hall, SR Kalyanamandapam. Kalyan has not spoken to him in ten years due to unresolved ego and misunderstandings. The narrative explores how Kalyan revives the family business, wins Sindhu’s love, and most importantly, repairs the emotional bond with his father.

Movie	SR Kalyanamandapam
Release Date	August 6, 2021
Director	Sridhar Gade
Producers	Pramod, Raju
Production Banner	Elite Entertainments
Cast	Kiran Abbavaram, Priyanka Jawalkar, Sai Kumar, Tulasi, Srikanth Iyengar, Anil Geela, Rajasekhar Aningi
Music Director	Chaitan Bharadwaj
Cinematography	Viswas Daniel
Editor	Sridhar Chotu
Story, Screenplay & Dialogue	Kiran Abbavaram

Highlights

Strong father-son emotional core in the second half.
Kiran Abbavaram shows growth as an actor and writer.
Sai Kumar’s performance in emotional sequences is commendable.
Chaitan Bharadwaj’s songs enhance the narrative.
The small-town backdrop is portrayed convincingly.

Drawbacks

Routine storyline with predictable developments.
The first half stretched with unnecessary romantic and comedy sequences.
Hero elevation and mass-appeal shots disrupt narrative flow.
Weakly written female lead and clichéd romantic track.
Editing and pace issues affect overall engagement.

Verdict

SR Kalyanamandapam is a passable family entertainer with a strong emotional core in the latter half. If you are looking for a story about father-son bonding with some light romance and comedy, this film works. However, the routine storyline, stretched first half, and weak romantic track make it a watchable but forgettable outing for mainstream audiences.