Movie Name : Garividi Lakshmi
Release Date : October 17, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Anandhi, Rag Mayur, Naresh, Raasi, L B Sreeram, Avasarala Srinivas, Ankith Koyya, Shakalaka Shankar, Sharanya Pradeep, Kancharapalem Kishore, Nithin Prasanna, Viva Raghava, Kushalini, Anil, Chinni Sathya, Bongu Satti, Laxman and Others
Director : Gowri Naidu Jammu
Producers : T.G. Vishwa Prasad, Krithi Prasad
Music Director : Charan Arjun
Cinematographer : Aditya Javvadi
Editor : Ravi teja Girijala
Related Links : Trailer
Tollywood has brought the life of renowned Burra Katha artist Garividi Lakshmi to the big screen. Headlined by Anandhi and produced by People Media Factory, the film hit theatres today. Here is our review of how this biographical drama fares.
Story:
Reddy Vijaya Lakshmi, popularly known as Garividi Lakshmi (played by Anandhi), was once a well-known Burra Katha artist. Her voice reached people across Uttarandhra through audio cassettes and live performances. Despite gaining popularity, she faced several ups and downs in her personal life. The film follows her journey as an artist, her rise to fame and the hardships she faced along the way.
Plus Points:
Director Gowri Naidu Jammu deserves appreciation for bringing Garividi Lakshmi’s story to the big screen. Many people may have heard her songs over the years, but not everyone knows the woman behind that voice. The film makes an effort to introduce her life and work to a wider audience. People Media Factory also deserves credit for backing a story centred on a folk artist and an art form that is slowly losing its place.
Anandhi is a good fit for the titular role. The character demands natural expressions, stage presence and the energy of a folk performer, and she delivers on these fronts. Casting her as Garividi Lakshmi is one of the film’s best decisions. She handles both the stage performances and the emotional scenes well. It is not an easy role to take on, but Anandhi makes a sincere effort and delivers a performance that stands out.
Rag Mayur also does well in his role. He convincingly portrays the character’s shift from innocence to arrogance after gaining fame, along with the betrayal that follows. VK Naresh is another good addition to the cast and brings weight to his limited character. The remaining actors such as Rashi and Ankit Loyya also perform well within their roles.
The film works better when it shows Lakshmi’s difficult days than when it traces her initial rise to fame. The later portions reveal how she was treated by the people around her and how her life changed after she became successful. The final few minutes are handled well and leave an emotional impact.
Minus Points:
A biopic needs a good balance of ups and downs, with the right dramatic depth. Garividi Lakshmi’s life offers plenty of scope for this, but the execution doesn’t give enough space to develop those conflicts properly. The successes are shown, but the human side needed more attention. Despite the efforts, the film doesn’t deliver enough narrative punch.
The first half mostly focuses on her attempt to become an artist, with the interval coming just when she reaches a level of fame she had never experienced before. One would expect strong tension from that point onwards. But after a while, the story starts to feel repetitive, with random songs and stage performances that don’t add much value. A tighter screenplay could have given the film a better flow.
The serious scenes work in parts, but a biographical account needs well-developed peaks and valleys to leave a lasting impact. The film includes some of these beats, but they don’t land effectively, making the overall experience feel somewhat incomplete.
People who have never heard of Burra Katha or Garividi Lakshmi may find it difficult to connect with the film.
Technical Aspects:
Gowri Naidu Jammu has made a sincere effort to bring Garividi Lakshmi’s life to the screen and introduce her to a new generation. The choice of subject is commendable, but the writing and execution could have been stronger. A more engaging screenplay with better-developed emotional moments would have made the film more effective.
The original songs rendered by Garividi Lakshmi are utilized effectively in the film. The production values are good, showing that the makers provided the necessary backing without compromise. Aditya Javvadi’s cinematography frames the rural backdrop and stage performances neatly, while Charan Arjun’s score complements the folk atmosphere.
However, Ravi Teja Girijala’s editing could have been sharper, especially in the second half, where repetitive sequences stall the narrative flow. Additionally, the dialect team deserves credit for capturing the authentic Uttarandhra accent, bringing genuine credibility to the dialogue.
Verdict:
On the whole, Garividi Lakshmi is a honest attempt to tell the story of a renowned folk artist, but it falls short in its execution. Anandhi delivers a committed performance, while Rag Mayur and VK Naresh provide good support. However, the rushed early portions, repetitive second half and lack of strong emotional moments prevent the film from making the impact it could have. The film deserves credit for introducing Garividi Lakshmi and her art to a wider audience. Still, better writing and a stronger emotional journey could have made her story much more memorable. Those interested in folk art and the lives of forgotten artists may give it a try, but it is better to keep expectations in check.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
