Movie Name : Brahma Anandam
Release Date : February 14, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Raja Goutham, Brahmanandam, Vennela Kishore, Priya Vadlamani, Aishwarya Holakkal, Rajeev Kanakala, Sampath Raj, Raghu Babu, Prabhakar, Divija Prabhakar, Dayanand Reddy and Others
Director : Rvs Nikhil
Producer : Rahul Yadav Nakka
Music Director : Sandilya Pisapati
Cinematographer : Mitesh Parvathaneni
Editor : Praneeth Kumar
Related Links : Trailer
Brahma Anandam is a Telugu comedy-drama starring the King of Comedy, Meme God Brahmanandam, and his son Raja Goutham in lead roles. The film hit the big screens today. Check out our review to learn how it fares.
Story:
Brahma (Raja Goutham) is a struggling theater artist, constantly chasing his big break. While his dreams remain just out of reach, financial struggles and an unstable love life with Tara (Priya Vadlamani) only add to his woes. Just when he lands an opportunity to stage his play at a prestigious event, he faces a major hurdle—arranging the required money. Meanwhile, his grandfather, Anand Ram Murthy (Brahmanandam), lives in an old-age home, disconnected from his family. Seeing Brahma’s desperation, he offers to help but insists on a plan. Anand, Brahma, and his friend Giri (Vennela Kishore) embark on a journey to the village of Burradupalem, where Anand’s real intentions slowly unfold. Why has he brought them there? What is he truly seeking? The film unravels these questions.
Plus Points:
Brahmanandam is the soul of the film, proving once again why he is a legend. Moving beyond his signature comedic roles, he delivers a performance filled with warmth and subtle emotions. His expressions and dialogue delivery make the character of Anand Ram Murthy truly memorable.
Raja Goutham steps up his game, showing glimpses of an actor who deserves more recognition. His sarcastic and realistic portrayal of Brahma resonates well with the younger audience, and director RVS Nikhil utilises his potential effectively.
Vennela Kishore, in his usual effortless style, provides comic relief and ensures that even weaker moments in the screenplay get a humorous lift. His presence adds much-needed energy to the narrative.
Priya Vadlamani, Divija Prabhakar, Sampath Raj, and Rajeev Kanakala fit their roles well, making solid contributions to the story.
Minus Points:
The film begins on a promising note, immersing the audience in Brahma’s struggles and setting up an intriguing premise. However, once the story shifts to the village, the momentum slows down. The screenplay falters, stretching out scenes that could have been more impactful with better pacing.
The heart of the film lies in its exploration of love beyond age—an attempt to break conventions and redefine companionship. However, inconsistent narration and a weak screenplay prevent this theme from achieving the emotional depth it deserves. The love story between the elderly characters holds the potential to be moving and thought-provoking, but its on-screen execution lacks the finesse needed to leave a lasting impact. While the director’s intent is clear, the storytelling fails to do full justice to this beautiful concept.
Additionally, the emotional bond between Brahma and Anand Ram Murthy, which should have been the backbone of the film, feels underdeveloped. A stronger emphasis on their evolving relationship could have added more weight to the narrative.
Some supporting characters remain underutilised, and certain key moments fail to leave a lasting impression due to uneven storytelling.
Technical Aspects:
Director-writer RVS Nikhil deserves credit for giving Brahmanandam a meaningful role, but the storytelling needed more refinement. A tighter screenplay and better execution could have turned this film into an emotional powerhouse.
The music, though decent, occasionally disrupts the flow of scenes, though the background score during the climax is commendable. The cinematography is neat, but the editing, especially in the second half, could have been sharper. Production values are solid.
Verdict:
On the whole, Brahma Anandam has a promising premise but falters in execution. While Brahmanandam delivers a refreshing performance and Raja Goutham impresses, the film struggles with a sluggish narrative and an underdeveloped emotional core. If you’re a fan of Brahmanandam and enjoy slow-paced dramas, you might try it, but keep your expectations in check. Otherwise, look out for better entertainment choices this weekend.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
Movie Name: Mufasa-The Lion King
Rating: 2.75/5
Director: Barry Jenkins
Music Director: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hans Zimmer, Dave Metzger and others
Editor: B Ajith Kumar
Producers: Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak
Cinematographer: James Laxton
Related Links:Trailer
The latest Hollywood movie, Mufasa: The Lion King, hit the big screens today worldwide in multiple languages amid high expectations. It serves as a prequel to the 2019 superhit The Lion King. Read through the review to find out whether the film lives up to the legacy of the original film.
Story :
Simba and Nala leave their daughter Kiara at Pride Rock in the care of Timon, Pumbaa, and Rafiki as they set off on an important journey. One stormy night, Kiara feels scared and begins to doubt if she can live up to the legacy of her father, Simba, and her grandfather, Mufasa. To comfort her, Rafiki tells the story of Mufasa’s early life. As a young cub, Mufasa was separated from his parents and raised by another pride, growing up alongside Taka, who became his best companion quickly. Together, they embarked on a dangerous journey to find the legendary land of Milele, meeting allies like Sarabi, Zazu, and Rafiki while facing threats from a group of fierce white lions led by Kiros. Through courage and challenges, Mufasa’s journey reveals how he rose to become the great Lion King.
Plus Points:
The story of Mufasa and Simba, beloved by audiences since The Lion King was first released in 1994, is revisited with fresh visuals and modern storytelling. This new version offers a visual spectacle, especially in 3D, with several stunning scenes that make the movie a worthwhile experience. While the story itself may be familiar, the director keeps it interesting by incorporating meaningful songs that enhance the narrative.
The film’s second half introduces some subtle twists, keeping the audience interested and invested. The Telugu dubbing by Mahesh Babu as Mufasa is a standout, with his voice adding depth and emotion to the character. The performances of Satyadev, Brahmanandam, and Ali, who voice Taka, Pumbaa, and Timon, are also commendable, bringing charm and humour to their roles. The comic sequences with Pumbaa, Timon, and Zazu are lighthearted and enjoyable, adding a touch of fun to the film.
Minus Points:
Although the visuals are impressive, the story feels a bit too familiar, as The Lion King has been part of popular culture for over 30 years. While the movie offers stunning visuals, some scenes lack the emotional depth needed to create a stronger connection with the audience.
The first half of the film moves at a steady pace, but it could have benefited from more exploration of Mufasa’s childhood and his relationship with his parents to add more emotional weight. Additionally, the ending is predictable, offering little surprise for those familiar with the original story.
The confrontation between Mufasa’s group and the white lions could have been more intense, providing a greater sense of conflict and excitement.
Technical Aspects:
Director Barry Jenkins tells the story in a simple, accessible way, making it suitable for both children and adults. However, given the familiarity of the plot, a more engaging narrative could have elevated the film further, adding fresh emotional layers to the experience.
The visuals are exceptional, providing a premium cinematic experience, and the cinematography and music are beautifully crafted. Mahesh Babu’s voice for Mufasa fits the character perfectly, while the Telugu songs are thoughtfully written. As expected, the production values are top-notch, contributing to the overall quality of the film.
Verdict:
On the whole, Mufasa: The Lion King is a visually impressive film that revisits a well-known story. While it doesn’t offer much in terms of new plot developments or high-intensity moments, the stunning visuals and engaging second half make it a fine watch. It’s especially enjoyable for kids and fans of photorealistic animated films. For others, it may feel too familiar to make a significant impact.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
Movie Name : Darling
Release Date : July 19, 2024
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Priyadarshi, Nabha Natesh, Brahmanandam, Vishnu, Krishna Tej, Ananya Nagalla, and others
Director : Aswin Raam
Producers : K Niranjan Reddy, and Smt Chaitanya
Music Director: Vivek Sagar
Cinematographer: Naresh Ramadurai
Editor: Pradeep E Ragav
Related Links : Trailer