Starring: Naga Chaitanya, Sai Pallavi, Easwari Rao, Rajiv Kanakala, Uttej, Devayani
Director: Sekhar Kammula
Producer: Narayan Das K. Narang , Puskur Ram Mohan Rao
Music Director: Pawan Ch
Cinematography : Vijay C. Kumar
Editor: Marthand K. Venkatesh

Story:

Revanth(Chay Akkineni) is from a lower caste whose only aim is to set up a Zumba academy in Hyderabad. On the other hand, Mounika (Sai Pallavi) is from an upper caste and is trying hard to get a job in Hyderabad. Left with no choice, she joins Revanth’s dance class as a teacher. Sparks fly and the couple falls in love. The rest of the story is as to how the couple faces many issues in their relationship and comes out successfully.

Plus Points:

One of the biggest assets of the film is the maturity in the love story. This film is not a regular boy meets girl romance and touches upon some of the darkest issues like caste, gender inequality, and rape.

Sai Pallavi gets a new dimension in her role and is superb as Mounika. The manner in which she goes through turmoil and how it affects the love story is showcased so well by the noted actress. Eshwari Rao is also amazing as Chay’s mother and elevates the proceedings.

Rajeev Kanakala gets a solid negative role and proves his talent big time. Though he does not have many dialogues, he emotes so well with his expressions. Ananda Chakrapani is neat in his brief role. Uttej gets a key character and does well.

Last but not the least, Chay Akkineni is the biggest highlight of the film. He as Revanth gives an award-winning performance and wins your heart with his role. Chay’s transformation as a hard-working youth guy is just terrific and the way he showcases the subtle emotions is amazing. Watch out for Chay’s outburst in the climax

Minus Points:

The entire first half is used to establish the characters and this takes a lot of time. Though the proceedings are breezy, nothing much happens in the love story.

There is a child rape angle in the film and it is addressed only in the last half an hour. If things would have been told from at least the middle of the second half, the drama would have been even better.

The pre-climax is intense but the climax is wrapped up abruptly which gives a mixed feeling. The so-called romantic moments one expects from Shekhar Kammula’s films are slightly missing here.

Critics Review: 2.5/5