Movie Name : Bad Girl
Streaming Date : NOV 04, 2025
Streaming Platform : Jio Hotstar
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Anjali Sivaraman, Shanthipriya, Saranya Ravichandran, Hridhu Haroon, TeeJay Arunasalam, Sashank Bommireddipalli and Others
Director : Varsha Bharath
Producers : Vetrimaaran, Anurag Kashyap
Music Directors : Amit Trivedi
Cinematographer : Preetha Jayaraman
Editors: Radha Sridhar
Related Links : Trailer
Bad Girl is a Tamil film that arrived in theatres bearing both controversy and international festival appreciation. It is now streaming on Jio Hotstar, with the Telugu version also made available for wider reach. Check out the review to find out how it is.
Story:
Ramya (Anjali Sivaraman) grows up in a rigidly orthodox household where her life is closely monitored, which eventually makes her feel trapped under her parents’ strict expectations. During her Class 10, she discovers her first taste of romance with her classmate Nalan (Hridhu Haroon), but the relationship fades quickly. As she moves from her teenage years into young adulthood, Ramya finds herself in new relationships with Arjun (Sashank Bommireddipalli) and later Irfan (Tee Jay Arunasalam), each offering her a different understanding of affection, desire, and companionship. Torn between curiosity, loneliness, rebellion, and confusion, Ramya struggles to understand what she truly wants, whether it is freedom, emotional closeness, physical intimacy, or a sense of identity she has never been allowed to form. The film explores how her journey ultimately unfolds.
Plus Points:
The entire film is anchored by Anjali Sivaraman, who delivers a striking performance. Taking on such a vulnerable and emotionally layered coming-of-age role is bold, and she carries the film with honesty and subtlety. She portrays Ramya’s flawed, confused, and restless inner world with conviction and becomes the emotional core of the narrative.
The storytelling works well in several places, especially when it uses visual and symbolic elements to reflect Ramya’s mindset. The presence of the cat, certain recurring dreams, and quiet moments of reflection highlight her longing for comfort, security, and independence.
Director and writer Varsha Bharath handles these moments with clarity and sensitivity.
Supporting performances from Saranya Ravichandran as Selvi and Shanthipriya as Sundari add depth and help ground Ramya’s emotional environment.
Minus Points:
Bad Girl comes with clear caveats and may not appeal to everyone. The idea of following a young woman’s shifting relationships and inner conflicts over many years can feel unconventional or uncomfortable for a segment of Indian viewers, especially those accustomed to more traditional storytelling. For a general audience, the story may appear simple and may not offer strong dramatic twists beyond the emotional turmoil of the lead character.
The screenplay has moments of brilliance but loses grip in certain stretches. Although Varsha Bharath’s attempt is sincere and brave for a debut filmmaker, some portions of the writing would have benefitted from tighter control. Several scenes feel prolonged and affect the overall rhythm.
The character development also feels incomplete at key points. Ramya is portrayed with authenticity, but the film does not clearly convey what she ultimately seeks. While her confusion reflects real-life complexities, the climax does not deliver the impact that the film sets out to build, especially given the bold and intimate direction it takes initially.
The film is also not suitable for family viewing, as it deals with mature themes, intimate moments, explicit conversations, and strong language. Audiences who are open to honest explorations of desire and identity may connect with it, but it is certainly not for viewers looking for conventional or family-friendly storytelling.
Technical Aspects:
Varsha Bharath deserves credit for choosing such delicate and daring material for her first film, although the emotional intensity softens toward the end. Preetha Jayaraman’s cinematography is steady and supports the film’s intimate and grounded tone. Radha Sridhar’s editing works well wherever the scenes are trimmed to maintain flow. Amit Trivedi’s music is functional, and the Telugu dubbing is surprisingly smooth.
Verdict:
On the whole, Bad Girl is not a bad film at all. It works mainly because of Anjali Sivaraman’s compelling performance as Ramya. The subject is bold and emotionally raw, but it is not designed for everyone. Some scenes and dialogues may feel distant to regular viewers, and the slow pacing along with a few less effective moments hold the film back. This is a film meant for a niche audience that appreciates introspective and quietly intense coming-of-age stories. Keeping expectations modest will help in experiencing what the film aims to offer.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
