Movie Name : 23 (Iravai Moodu)
Release Date : May 16, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Teja, Tanmai, Jhansi, Pawon Ramesh, Thagubothu Ramesh, Praneeth
Directors : Raj R
Producers : Venkat Siddareddy
Music Director : Mark K Robin
Cinematographer : Sunny Kurapati
Editor : Anil Aalayam
Related Links : Trailer
After delivering thought-provoking films like Mallesham and 8 AM Metro, director Raj R returns with 23 (Iravai Moodu) – a crime drama rooted in real events. Presented by Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media, the film hit theatres today. Let’s see how it turns out.
Story:
Set in 1993 in Chilakaluripeta, the film follows Sagar (Teja R), a young man who dreams of a peaceful life with his love, Susheela (Tanmai Kushi). Hoping to earn money quickly, he chooses a dangerous path that ultimately leads to a horrific incident – he sets fire to a bus, unknowingly killing 23 innocent people. When he lands in jail, Sagar is forced to confront the gravity of his actions. Wracked with guilt, he hopes for redemption and release. Does life give him a second chance? The rest of the story unfolds through this emotional and legal journey.
Plus Points:
Raj R once again picks a real incident as his base and tries to tell a story with a strong social message. The idea of connecting multiple tragedies – like the Tsunduru Dalit massacre (1991), the Chilakaluripet bus burning (1993), and the Jubilee Hills car bomb blast (1997) – to highlight how justice varies depending on caste, status, and power, is bold and commendable. This thought alone gives the film some depth, even if the execution struggles.
Tanmai Kushi gets a good amount of screen time and delivers an okay performance. Jhansi, though appearing briefly, has a small but impactful role that adds emotional layering, especially in the second half.
Among the supporting cast, Pawon Ramesh plays the friend convincingly, and Praneeth as the jailor also puts in an honest effort.
Minus Points:
While the film’s message is noble, the narrative falls short. The screenplay lacks structure and rhythm – key emotional scenes don’t leave a strong impact, and several moments that should feel intense or moving just come and go without weight. There’s a clear disconnect between the idea and how it plays out on screen.
The biggest drawback is the casting. Teja R, who plays the lead, lacks the emotional range the character demands. His performance remains flat even in crucial scenes, which makes it hard for the audience to empathise with Sagar’s transformation or regret. If Raj wanted to launch a new face, a more expressive or trained actor would have helped carry the film’s emotional burden better.
Another noticeable issue is the timeline. The film spans several years, but characters don’t visibly age – not even Sagar’s parents or prison inmates. This breaks the realism and makes the transitions feel unnatural. It’s a small detail, but it affects how believable the story feels.
Pacing is another problem – the film moves slowly and spends too much time on scenes that don’t push the story forward. Some portions feel dragged out, especially in the second half. This makes the film feel longer than it is and reduces its emotional impact.
Also, many characters, even those who are close to the protagonist, feel underdeveloped. Their arcs don’t evolve, and they mostly exist just to move the plot forward. As a result, the emotional stakes stay low throughout.
Technical Aspects:
Director Raj’s attempt to spotlight long-forgotten social injustices is commendable. While his intent comes through clearly, the lack of finesse in execution holds the film back. With sharper writing and stronger casting, this could have shaped into a gripping legal-crime drama.
The cinematography by Sunny Kurapati is serviceable but doesn’t enhance the storytelling visually. Mark K Robin’s background score is fine in parts, but doesn’t elevate key scenes. Anil Aalayam’s editing is inconsistent – many scenes could have been trimmed or cut altogether. The production design and locations are okay but nothing stands out.
Verdict:
On the whole, 23 (Iravai Moodu) carries a sincere message and genuine intentions, but it faces challenges in maintaining the audience’s engagement throughout. The film’s measured pace, casting choices, and uneven storytelling somewhat lessen its overall impact and the relevance of its social themes. While director Raj R highlights important issues thoughtfully, the execution doesn’t fully realise the film’s potential. Considering other options available, viewers might prefer to explore those instead.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team