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The language, art, culture, rituals, lifestyle, and beliefs of a place and its people shape their identity. Balagam is a film that effectively captures the nuances of a typical Telangana village and tells a compelling story with honesty. Written and directed by well-known comedian Venu Yeldandi, the film has a distinct appeal that draws viewers into the lives of its various characters. The film's strength lies in its story, and Venu does an impressive job on his directorial debut. The characters in the film drive the narrative, and the cast, including Priyadarshi Pulikonda, Kavya Kalyanram, Sudhakar Reddy, and others, embody…

Amigos, directed by Rajendra Reddy, is a bold and experimental film that builds on the concept of doppelgangers. Kalyan Ram's performance in multiple roles showcases his acting skills, including his portrayal of the self-centered monster, Bipin Roy, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Although his characters share similarities with his role in Bhimbisara, Kalyan Ram plays each with ease and finesse. Brahmaji's performance is also notable throughout the movie, while Ashika Ranganath makes a limited yet impactful appearance. Despite its experimental nature, Amigos manages to entertain with action, comedy, and fan service. However, the rehashed song,…

Vishwak Sen, the director, screenplay writer, and lead actor of Das Ka Dhamki, attempts to create a "eat the rich" genre film. However, the film's execution tests the audience's patience despite having all the makings of a satisfying story. The story revolves around Krishna Das (played by Vishwak Sen), an orphan and waiter at a star hotel, who becomes fed up with the disrespect from rich customers. After a particularly frustrating incident with a customer and unsympathetic manager Deepthi (played by Akshara Gowda), he decides to spend big bucks like a customer with his friends for a day. What starts…

The movie "Dasara" by debutant Srikanth Odela is a film of mixed quality. On one hand, it offers a visually captivating experience, intriguing characters, and a tense atmosphere that keeps the audience on edge. On the other hand, the film introduces themes that are never fully explored or are concluded too hastily, resulting in some impactful moments and some that fall short. The story takes place in Veerlapally, a village where drinking at the Silk Bar is a tradition. Despite the locals' financial contributions to the bar, casteism prevents some from entering. The village is also plagued by coal mining,…

The one-liner of MS Rajashekar Reddy’s film Macherla Niyojakavargam may seem familiar as it follows the clichéd plot of a single man fighting against a powerful villain. The movie revolves around ‘Siddhu’ Siddharth Reddy (Nithiin), an IAS waiting for his posting, who spends his time with his friend Nidhi (Catherine Tresa) and follows his neighbour Swati (Krithi Shetty) without any concern. He also antagonizes Swati’s egoistic brother-in-law Guru (Vennela Kishore) and confronts the politician/rowdy Rajappa (Samuthirakani) from Macherla. However, everything Siddhu wants, from the girl he likes to his desired posting, falls into his lap as he is incredibly lucky.…

The film is set in Australia and follows the story of Ram, a young graffiti artist who does not believe in the concept of lifetime love. Ram values honesty and open-mindedness in relationships, which clashes with Jaanu's belief in everlasting love. As their romantic tale progresses, they face confusion and complications due to their differing ideologies. The plot is narrated by Ram during a police interrogation. While Ramcharan delivers a decent performance in his role as the lover boy, his character lacks emotional depth. Genelia's portrayal of Jaanu is disappointing, with unflattering makeup and costumes. The lack of chemistry between…

Venu Udugula, the director behind the acclaimed Needi Naadi Oke Katha, returns with Virata Parvam, a love story set against the backdrop of a revolution in 90s Telangana. The film follows Vennela, a naive girl who dreams of love even as tensions escalate between the naxalites and policemen in a united Andhra Pradesh. Vennela, raised to be independent and educated, becomes enchanted by the poetry of Ravanna (Rana Daggubati), a maoist leader. Driven by a pure and unconditional love, she embarks on a journey to meet him. Director Venu Udugula explores the irrationality of love, portraying Vennela's naive determination in…

Pathaan is an action-packed film that marks the return of Shah Rukh Khan to the big screen after four years. While the plot may seem far-fetched, the film's star power and style make it a thrilling ride. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film follows the impact of India's revocation of article 370 on a Pakistani officer who seeks revenge. He enlists the help of Jim, an ex-RAW agent wronged by his own people, and Rubai, an ex-ISI agent with ambiguous motives played by Deepika Padukone. The trio engages in a dangerous game of betrayal and revenge, racing to protect the…

Hunt, directed by Mahesh Surapaneni, is a remake of the 2013 Malayalam film Mumbai Police starring Prithviraj. The movie is an investigative drama that gradually unfolds. The film revolves around three close friends - ACP Arjun (Sudheer Babu), Commissioner of Police Mohan Bhargav (Srikanth), and ACP Aryan Dev (Bharath), who share a past as part of the Mumbai counter-terrorism squad. While chasing down small-time criminals in the morning and relaxing with a drink in the evening, Arjun meets with an accident and loses his memory. This loss is not only a threat to his job but also to his ability…

Chandoo Mondeti's debut film "Karthikeya" was a success, introducing the character of Nikhil Siddhartha as the titular hero, whose quest for truth left the possibility for a sequel. "Karthikeya 2" continues the story, with Karthik (Nikhil) now a successful doctor and myth-buster who finds himself on an unexpected adventure in Dwaraka with his mother (Tulasi) and Mugdha (Anupama Parameswaran). Pursued by a murderous clan and a secret society, they search for a missing anklet that could hold the key to a future catastrophe. The sequel dives right into the action, with little time spent on introducing new characters. The change…