Home Tags Posts tagged with "OTT Review"

OTT Review

Stranger Things Season 5

OTT Review: Stranger Things 5, Volume 1 – Telugu dubbed series on Netflix

by 123telugu

Stranger Things Season 5

Web Series Name : Stranger Things 5: Volume 1
Streaming Date : Nov 27, 2025
Streaming Platform : Netflix
123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5
Starring : Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Joe Keery and others
Directors : Duffer Brothers, Frank Darabont
Producers : Duffer Brothers, Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen.
Music Directors : Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein
Cinematographers : Tim Ives, Tod Campbell, Lachlan Milne, David Franco, Ricardo Diaz, Caleb Heymann, Brett Jutkiewicz
Editor : Dean Zimmerman, Kevin D. Ross, Nat Fuller, Katheryn Naranjo, Casey Cichocki
Related Links : Trailer

Audiences worldwide have been waiting with bated breath for this day. Finally, Netflix has released the first volume of the fifth season of the much-adored Stranger Things. The show is now streaming in multiple languages, including Telugu. Let’s see if the web series has met the mammoth expectations or not.

Story:

After the destruction caused by Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) in Hawkins, the US government and ‘Axis Control,’ the military group, jointly take charge of the borders. They start conducting some dangerous experiments in a lab. On the other side, we are shown the families of Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), and Will (Noah Schnapp). However, Nancy’s sister, Holly Wheeler, gets trapped by Henry (who is another form of the last season’s villain, Vecna). Not just her, but many other children start getting tormented by Vecna.

Meanwhile, Eleven/Jane (Millie Bobby Brown) trains with her father, Jim Hopper (David Harbour), to face Vecna. Will continues to suffer as well because of Vecna. Elsewhere, the other friends, Dustin, Lucas, and Steve, try to enter the ‘Upside Down’ world to destroy the villain. So, what happened to Will in the attempt to stop Vecna? What help did El find? How did the situations unfold leading up to the fight? You have to watch these four episodes to find out the answers.

Plus Points:

For audiences who have even a basic idea of the Stranger Things series, this four-episode volume is a solid treat. Despite the hype being massive, the first volume of Season 5 keeps us thrilled with many engaging moments and some high points.

The momentum picks up significantly starting from the second episode, and after that, there’s no looking back. The key emotions and the friendship tracks, which form the heart of the franchise, are impressive here too and will strike a chord with fans. Each character is designed pretty well, along with the narrative.

The transitions from one cut to another and the action episodes are largely satisfying. The reason behind Will’s suffering makes sense in this part. The last episode of this volume, however, is a mega feast. It offers a mad experience, and especially the climax portion is bound to give goosebumps.

The series definitely ends in a way that fans expect, carrying forward the emotional depth and leaving us super excited for the remaining episodes that are scheduled for release later this month. Some of the twists are also pretty good. As always, every main actor delivered a great performance.

El’s fans will resonate with her innocence once again. Dustin’s entry and his attitude will be loved by those who adore his role. Lucas did a great job. Steve Harrington, who enjoys a good following, gets a solid sequence going into the Upside Down portal gate. All the lead actors gave stunning performances.

Minus Points:

Generally, for people who loved the four seasons of Stranger Things, the length won’t be an issue. Even though the episodes are over an hour long, the past seasons made us feel like, “Is the series already done?” In the same manner, the episodes are long again, but the screenplay feels a bit slow in places. While this was done to build up the situations, not everyone might like that flow.

The VFX work didn’t look natural in some places this time. There were some weak visuals here and there, and this, coming from an iconic franchise, is a bit disappointing. Some scenes might confuse the general audience. The main point is, if you are new to the series and try to watch this, you will be even more confused. Also, if you watch this without knowing the backstory, you will feel bored.

Technical Aspects:

The makers planned this new edition with terrific production values once again. In terms of the total setup and production design, they didn’t compromise anywhere, but they should have taken a bit more care with the graphics, especially in certain shots.

Caleb Heymann provided solid camera work. The music by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein is good. They maintained the tempo of the scenes well. The editing is decent. The directors, The Duffer Brothers and Frank Darabont, did a good job with this season. The way they designed each episode to set up the hype needed for the fourth episode was amazing.

However, if they had placed high moments in every episode as they did in previous seasons, fans would have liked it even more. Still, their work in these four episodes is satisfactory.

Verdict:

Overall, Stranger Things: Season 5 – Volume 1 is a good treat for fans of the series. All the lead actors gave great performances. The narrative gets thrilling and interesting with each passing episode, along with the emotional and adventure ride, which will excite fans. Beyond all that, the ending of the fourth episode worked extremely well. There are a few flaws here and there. The pacing is slow at times, and some visual effects looked odd. However, after watching the fourth episode, expectations for the upcoming episodes will skyrocket. The real war is yet to happen. You can definitely enjoy this season on OTT this weekend.

123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team 

0 FacebookTwitterWhatsappCopy Link
Mayasabha

OTT Review: Mayasabha – Telugu series on Sony LIV

by 123telugu

Mayasabha Series Review

Web Series Name : Mayasabha
Streaming Date : Aug 07, 2025
Streaming Platform : Sony LIV
123telugu.com Rating : 3.5/5
Starring : Aadhi Pinisetty, Chaitanya Rao Madadi, Sai Kumar, Divya Dutta, Tanya Ravichandran, Ravindra Vijay, Shatru, and others
Directors : Deva Katta, Kiran Jay Kumar
Producers : Vijay Krishna, Lingamaneni, Sree Harsha
Music Director : Shakthikanth Karthick
Cinematographers  : Suresh Ragutu, Gnana Shekar V. S.
Editor : Praveen K. L.

Related Links : Trailer
Director Deva Katta, well known for handling political thrillers, has come up with the Telugu series Mayasabha. It is now available for streaming on Sony LIV in multiple languages, and here is our take on it.

Story:

Mayasabha follows the journey of two educated men, Kakarla Krishnama Naidu (KKN) from Narsipalli and MS Rami Reddy (MSR) from Pulicherla in Andhra Pradesh. Years later, they meet again and decide to work together for their political party. Even though they come from different castes, backgrounds, and ideologies, they manage to grow into key leaders. At some point, political circumstances force them to part ways and choose different directions. What happens next? Who is Rayapati Chakradhar Rao (RCR), and what brings him into politics? How are these two friends connected to him? That is what the rest of the story explores.

Plus Points:

Politics is always an engaging theme. It has twists, turns, betrayals, ambition, sacrifices and more. Love it or hate it, politics always continue to play a big role in public life. Deva Katta understands this space well and presents a fictional but thought-provoking political drama.

The key here is not just what’s told, but how it’s told. In that regard, Deva Katta succeeds. His writing brings a steady flow and adds depth to the narrative.

Casting the right artists for a subject like this is a crucial job, and the directors Devkatta and Kiran Jay Kumar get it right again. Chaitanya Rao as Rami Reddy fits well, and Aadhi Pinisetty brings strength and seriousness to the role of Krishnama Naidu. The casting of Sai Kumar and an actor-turned-politician as Chakradhar Rao works perfectly too.

Aadhi and Chaitanya lead the show with strong performances. Both characters have equal weight, and the actors do complete justice to their roles. Sai Kumar, though not in the spotlight throughout, completely takes over in the crucial episodes with his powerful screen presence.

Divya Dutta impresses as ‘Madam,’ the political mastermind. She brings intensity to the role and creates a strong impact. Her character adds a lot of tension and depth to the political web shown in the series.

Nasser, who plays media baron Shivaji Rao, makes his presence felt despite having limited screen time. Shrikanth Bharath as politician Chevella Babu Rao, Ravindra Vijay as Naxalite Pothineni Ramesh, and Tanya Ravichandran as actress Anu Harika also do a good job, helping the narrative stay engaging.

Some scenes clearly stand out, like the moments where RCR asserts his power over Iravathi Basu, the internal conflict over the chief minister’s seat, and the founding of RCR’s new political party. These sequences are handled with conviction and keep viewers hooked.

Minus Points:

Yes, the series is engaging, but it does have a few letdowns. The writing feels underwhelmed in the middle, especially during episodes of Emergency in India and the vasectomy. They drag the pace and feel prolonged.

Though Deva Katta said that Mayasabha is a fictional story, viewers will naturally draw parallels with real-life figures, and it may lead to criticism or controversy.

Mayasabha also has some violent scenes and dialogues that are not family-friendly. Some characters, played by Shatru and Ravindra Vijay, don’t get enough scope to explore. They might have stronger roles in the next season.

Technical Aspects:

Deva Katta and team handle the subject with utmost care. They avoid going over the top, taking sides, and keep things grounded. However, there are scenes that the team could have focused on for better writing.

Suresh Ragutu and Gnana Shekhar VS’ camera work is solid. They manage to bring the 1975 to 1995 period alive on screen with good visual detail. The art department deserves applause for recreating the then atmosphere. Praveen KL as an editor is fine for the most part, but some scenes could have been trimmed down for a better pace. Shakthikanth Karthick’s score works well. It adds tension where needed and supports the mood of the narrative. The production values are decent.

Verdict:

Overall, Mayabha is a political thriller that keeps you suspenseful for most of your drive time. The performances of Chaitanya Rao, Aadhi Pinisetti, Sai Kumar and others are all very good. There are enough thrilling encounters and plot twists to hold your attention. On the downside, a couple episodes feel too stretched and the pace is uneven at times. There are strong language and some violence that may limit the audience to families. Those who love political dramas will find this series interesting. If you love stories about power, conflict and ambition, this series is worth your time. It’s a must watch without a second thought.

123telugu.com Rating: 3.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team 

0 FacebookTwitterWhatsappCopy Link

OTT Review: AIR-All India Rankers – Telugu series on ETV Win

by 123telugu

Web Series Name : AIR
Streaming Date : July 3, 2025
Streaming Platform : ETV Win
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Harsh Roshan, Bhanu Prakash, Jayatheertha, Harsha Chemudu, Ramana Bhargav, Chaitanya Rao Madadi, Jeevan Kumar, Sandeep Raj, Akshara, Sunil
Director : Joseph Clinton
Producers : Sandeep Raj & Surya Vasupalli
Music Director : Anivee
Cinematographer : SS Manoj
Editor : Srikanth Patnayak R

Related Links : Trailer
After the super hit success of Anaganaga, ETV Win brings a new series called AIR – All India Rankers. The Telugu series is now streaming, and here’s our take on how it turned out.

Story:

Arjun (Harsha Roshan), Imran (Jayatheertha), and Raju (Bhanu Prakash) are three students who have just completed their 10th class. Their parents decide for them to take the IIT route, and they end up in a strict college where studies are everything and the rest of life is pushed aside.

The three find it hard to adjust to this environment and even try to walk away from the pressure. But certain situations force them to stay. One unexpected incident lands them in serious trouble, and what follows forms the core of the story. The series touches on emotions and real-life experiences, the kind many of us, or people we know, might have faced during student life.

Plus points :

As mentioned earlier, after Anaganaga, ETV Win is back with another interesting project that manages to keep viewers invested. The emotions shown feel very relatable, especially for youngsters who’ve just completed their 10th or Intermediate. That connection is the biggest strength of this series.

Coming to the performances, Harsh Roshan, who stood out in Court, does a solid job once again. His performance is honest, and his dialogue delivery stands out. It is clear that he’s growing with each project.

Bhanu Prakash and Jayatheertha support him well. Their performances are convincing, and the chemistry between the trio feels natural. Their scenes together add energy and help the narrative move smoothly.

Supporting actors like Sandeep Raj, Chaitanya Rao, and Harsha Chemudu also play their parts well. The portrayal of teachers feels very real. Harsha Chemudu, while mostly serious here, brings in a few light moments of comedy. Jeevan Kumar also delivers some comic relief effectively.

Several moments in the series will definitely bring back memories. From how we used to study in college, to finding ways to skip classes, hiding things in hostels, and the way boys typically behave in such spaces, everything is captured with honesty and will surely strike a nostalgic chord.

Minus Points:

While the series has plenty of emotional and relatable moments, it does have its share of drawbacks. The middle episodes slow things down. Just when we expect the story to pick up pace, it becomes a bit repetitive.

There aren’t many twists in the plot, but the performances and emotional beats keep it going. We felt that the bond between the students and their parents, and even among the boys themselves, could have been explored more deeply.

Chaitanya Rao’s character comes in quite late. While his presence has potential and begins with impact, it ends rather abruptly. A better-developed arc could have added more weight to the climax.

Also, the motivational speeches and last-minute success moments feel like cinematic liberties. They do not reflect real-life outcomes, and a more grounded approach could have made the ending stronger.

Technical Aspects:

Director Joseph Clinton does a neat job portraying student life and highlighting the pressure-driven education system. He does not blame anyone directly, but he subtly makes us reflect on what is really happening. It serves as a wake-up call for students and parents who feel stuck in this cycle. That said, the execution could have been tighter in some areas.

Cinematography by SS Manoj is neat and suits the tone of the series. The background score by Sinjith Yerramilli complements the emotions well, and the music by Anivee is decent. Editing by Srikanth Patnaik could have been sharper in a few places, but overall the pacing works. The production values are solid and consistent throughout.

Verdict:

On the whole, AIR (All India Rankers) is a decent and watchable series. The first three episodes are engaging, the next two slow down a bit, and the final two bring it to an emotional and satisfying close. The young actors do a commendable job, and the story brings back plenty of college and hostel memories. While there are a few unrealistic moments and some underdeveloped character arcs, the series holds together well. It is definitely worth a watch, especially for those who have gone through academic pressure or hostel life. It might just leave you with a smile by the end.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team 

0 FacebookTwitterWhatsappCopy Link
Newer Posts
Older Posts
Facebook Twitter Instagram Whatsapp