Romantic is a Telugu romantic thriller set against the gritty backdrop of the Goa drug mafia. Vasco Da Gama (Akash Puri) is a street-smart ruffian whose ambitions are fueled by the desire to fulfill his grandmother’s (Rama Prabha) dream and run a charitable foundation. Alongside his childhood friend Annie, Vasco joins the gang of Rodrigues, Goa’s most notorious drug lord.

As Vasco quickly rises to power, he falls in love with the enchanting local musician Monica (Ketika Sharma). Following a violent confrontation that leaves Rodrigues dead, Vasco becomes the new kingpin of the underworld. However, his criminal actions attract the attention of ACP Ramya Gowarikar (Ramya Krishnan), a determined and ruthless officer transferred from Mumbai to Goa.

The film explores the conflict between Vasco’s criminal rise and his romantic pursuit of Monica, while also highlighting the cat-and-mouse game between him and the law.

Highlights

Akash Puri’s confident screen presence and action sequences.
Ketika Sharma’s debut performance and screen charm.
Ramya Krishnan’s authoritative portrayal as ACP.
Sunil Kashyap’s engaging music and stylish Goa backdrop.

Drawbacks

Illogical rise of Vasco as a mafia kingpin with minimal hurdles.
The first half focuses heavily on action, with little romance, making the title Romantic feel misaligned.
Romantic sequences are sometimes cheap and unconvincing, especially the objectification of Monica.
Climax is hurried and lacks emotional depth.

Verdict

On the whole, Romantic is an engaging but flawed love thriller. The performances of Akash Puri and Ketika Sharma, combined with Ramya Krishnan’s strong presence and Sunil Kashyap’s music, are the film’s highlights. While the story lacks depth and logic, the visual style, mass appeal, and entertainment factor make it suitable for a weekend watch.

Bottom Line: Love, guns, and a stylish rise in the Goa underworld — Romantic entertains, but don’t expect logic or depth.