telugu movie reviews

Pawan Kalyan on Why Hari Hara Veera Mallu Feels Underrated

by 123telugu July 23, 2025

Pawan Kalyan’s much-awaited first pan-Indian film, Hari Hara Veera Mallu, is all set for a global release tomorrow, with premieres kicking off tonight. Directed by Jyothi Krishna, this period action drama features Nidhhi Agerwal as the female lead and brings Pawan Kalyan to the big screen in a majestic, larger-than-life role.

During a recent media interaction, Pawan Kalyan was asked why Hari Hara Veera Mallu has generated less buzz compared to his other upcoming films, They Call Him OG and Ustaad Bhagat Singh. In response, Pawan gave a candid and thoughtful reply, saying, “This film is underrated because today’s audience is more attracted to violence and grey-shaded characters. But my heroes are Krishna and Rama. People now lean more toward grey than black and white, that’s why there’s less hype around the film.”

Despite the low-key build-up, the tide has turned in recent days. Once Pawan began actively promoting the film, pre-release bookings surged, and day one collections are now projected to be sensational, especially across the Telugu states and major metros.

The film features a strong supporting cast including Nidhhi Agerwal, Bobby Deol, Nassar, Sunil, Vennela Kishore, and Sathyaraj. It is presented by A. M. Rathnam, produced by A. Dayakar Rao, and scored by M. M. Keeravaani.

July 23, 2025

Review: Junior – Kireeti shines in this routine outing

by 123telugu July 19, 2025

Movie Name : Junior

Release Date : July 18, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Kireeti Reddy, Sreeleela, Genelia Deshmukh, V. Ravi Chandran, Rao Ramesh, Harsha Chemudu, Satya, Sudharani,
Achyut Rao and Others
Director : Radha Krishna Reddy
Producers : Rajani Korrapati
Music Director : Devi Sri Prasad
Cinematographer : K K Senthil Kumar (ISC)
Editor : Niranjan Devaramane

Related Links : Trailer

Kireeti Reddy, son of politician and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy, makes his acting debut with Junior. Co-starring Sreeleela, the film released in over 1,000 screens worldwide in Kannada and Telugu. Here’s our review to see how it fares.

Story:

Abhi (Kireeti Reddy), a lively college student, dreams of creating unforgettable memories. His father, Kodandapani (V. Ravichandran), longs to live with him and be part of his daily life. Abhi falls for Spoorthi and later begins an internship at a company where he reports to Vijay Soujanya (Genelia Deshmukh), the soon-to-be CEO. Their first interaction starts off tense, but things change when Abhi discovers a shocking truth about her past. As Soujanya reconnects with her roots, Abhi becomes deeply involved in her journey. How does he help her? What did he uncover? The answers unfold on the big screen.

Plus Points:

Kireeti Reddy makes a promising debut. Though new to the screen, he appears confident. His dance moves are sharp, his timing works, and he shows potential for growth if he chooses better scripts moving forward.

V. Ravichandran adds warmth as Abhi’s father, especially in emotional scenes. Sreeleela once again proves she’s a strong dancer, and her performance in “Viral Vayyari” alongside Kireeti is a highlight.

Harsha Chemudu adds occasional comic relief, while Rao Ramesh and others handle their brief roles well.

Minus Points:

The film sticks to a very predictable template often used to launch newcomers. It’s filled with romance, fights, comedy, and drama, all crafted to showcase the lead in every light. While it may appeal to some, it feels outdated and overly safe.

Sreeleela, despite her presence, is underused. She appears in the first half but disappears in the second without explanation. It’s disappointing to see such potential sidelined.

Genelia Deshmukh’s character, although central to the plot, leaves little impact. The role adds neither depth to the film nor anything notable to her filmography. Achyuth Kumar and Satya are also underutilised.

The story feels like a patchwork of scenes from films we’ve already seen. Many moments trigger a sense of déjà vu. While the second half does try to hit emotional beats, it often lacks realism and consistency.

Technical Aspects:

Director Radhakrishna Reddy seems more focused on presenting a polished launch vehicle than telling a gripping story. With a stronger screenplay and better character development, the film could have offered more.

KK Senthil Kumar’s cinematography adds a glossy finish, while Devi Sri Prasad’s music is passable but not memorable. Editing by Niranjan Devaramane feels loose, especially in the second half. However, the production values are impressive and evident on screen.

Verdict:

On the whole, Junior is a youthful and emotional drama that only works in parts. Kireeti Reddy puts in a sincere effort — he dances well, fights convincingly, and delivers his lines with ease. He clearly has potential, but future success depends on choosing stronger scripts. The film struggles with a routine plot, borrowed moments, and inconsistent writing. If you enjoy debut-hero movies and don’t mind the clichés, Junior may be a one-time watch. Just keep expectations in check.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here for Telugu Review

July 19, 2025

Review: RK Sagar’s The 100 – Crime drama that works to an extent

by 123telugu July 12, 2025

Movie Name : The 100

Release Date : July 11, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : RK Sagar, Misha Narang, Vishnu Priya, Dhanya Balakrishna, Tarak Ponnappa, Anand, Kalyani Natarajan, Vamshi Nekkanti, VV Giridhar, Temper Vamshi and others
Director : Raghav Omkar Sasidhar
Producers : Ramesh Karutoori, Venki Pushadapu, J. Tharak Ram
Music Director : Harshavardhan Rameshwar
Cinematographer : Shyam K Naidu
Editor : Amar Reddy Kudumula

Related Links : Trailer

TV actor RK Sagar, who became a household name with the serial Mogali Rekulu, makes his silver screen comeback with The 100, a crime drama directed by Raghav Omkar Sasidha. The film has hit the screens today. Let’s see how it is.

Story:

Vikranth (RK Sagar) is a newly appointed IPS officer who begins his career with a high-profile case involving a series of robberies and murders. As he investigates, he notices a distinct pattern behind the crimes. Things take a personal turn when Aarthi (Misha Narang) becomes a victim, and Vikranth realises that there are powerful forces behind the scenes. The case gets more complicated with the arrival of Madhu (Vishnu Priya), who seems to have a strong connection to the unfolding mystery. Who is Madhu? How is she linked to the case? What challenges does Vikranth face while solving it? The film answers these questions in the rest of the narrative.

Plus Points:

RK Sagar delivers a sincere performance in the lead role. He fits well into the character of a determined cop, especially in the action and investigation scenes. His experience from television reflects in his screen presence.

Misha Narang plays her part decently and looks good on screen. Vishnu Priya and Dhanya Balakrishna, who have key roles in the second half, make their presence felt. Tarak Ponnappa also supports the proceedings well with his performance.

The core story has potential, and the investigation sequences are handled fairly in some portions. A few twists in the second half keep the narrative somewhat engaging.

Minus Points:

One of the major drawbacks of the film is its sluggish pace. The screenplay feels slow in both halves here and there, and the lack of urgency takes away from the tension the story demands. A crisper narrative could have helped a lot.

Some scenes come across as artificial and don’t add much value. The placement of a romantic song affects the film’s flow and feels out of place. While the intention behind the emotional beats is clear, the execution falls short.

The casting could have been better, especially for the negative roles. The climax tries to deliver a message but ends in a routine way, which might not satisfy those expecting a strong ending.

Technical Aspects:

Director Raghav Omkar Sasidha picks a solid concept but falters in execution. With a tighter screenplay, the film could have had more impact. Harshavardhan Rameshwar’s background score is decent, and one song stands out musically. The editing by Amar Reddy Kudumula is okay, but trimming a few portions would’ve helped the pacing. Shyam K Naidu’s cinematography is decent, and the production values are adequate.

Verdict:

On the whole, The 100 is a crime action drama that works to an extent. RK Sagar makes a decent comeback and does well in the lead role. The film has a few interesting moments, but the predictable narrative, slow pacing, and lack of gripping scenes reduce the overall impact. You can try it if you enjoy cop dramas, but keep your expectations low.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here for Telugu Review

July 12, 2025

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