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OTT reviews

Movie Name :  The Bluff
Streaming Date : Feb 25, 2026
Streaming Platform : Amazon Prime Video
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Priyanka Chopra, Karl Urban, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Safia Oakley-Green, Temuera Morrison
Director : Frank E. Flowers
Producers : Priyanka Chopra, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot, Michael Disco
Music Director : Henry Jackman
Cinematographer  : Greg Baldi
Editor : Lisa Lassek

Related Links : Trailer

Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ latest English action thriller The Bluff premiered today on Amazon Prime Video. Backed by the Russo Brothers, with Priyanka herself serving as a producer, the film was also released in Telugu and generated decent buzz ahead of its premiere. Let’s see how it fares.

Story:

Set in 1846, the film follows Captain Connor (Karl Urban), a pirate determined to reclaim his lost gold. His search leads him to Cayman Brac, where Ercell (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) lives a peaceful life with her family. When Connor and his men attack her in pursuit of the treasure, Ercell is forced to confront a mysterious past she has kept hidden. How do the pirates know about her? What is her connection to the gold? The rest of the film unfolds as she fights to protect her family while her buried secrets slowly come to light.

Plus Points:

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is the film’s biggest strength. Portraying a former pirate with a troubled history, she delivers a committed and convincing performance. She particularly shines in the well-executed action sequences, carrying the film on her shoulders.

Karl Urban fits the role adequately, though his character lacks the intensity needed to feel truly menacing. Safia Oakley-Green and Vedanten Naidoo perform decently within the limited scope of their roles.

The action sequences form the backbone of the film. The choreography is neatly designed, and the crisp runtime keeps the narrative moving without unnecessary stretches. The cinematography by Greg Baldi complements the gritty tone and enhances the overall viewing experience.

Minus Points:

The biggest drawback of The Bluff is its predictable storyline. The plot follows a familiar revenge template, offering little in terms of novelty or surprise. The lack of strong twists weakens the emotional engagement.

The antagonist is another weak link. Although Karl Urban fits the role, the character lacks the menace and intensity required to create a gripping conflict.

The conflict between Priyanka and Karl Urban lacks depth. Stronger confrontation scenes could have elevated the drama significantly. Director Frank E. Flowers prioritises action spectacle over storytelling, resulting in a screenplay that feels underdeveloped.

Technical Aspects:

Director Frank E. Flowers succeeds in staging engaging action sequences but falls short in crafting a compelling narrative. Greg Baldi’s cinematography stands out, while Lisa Lassek’s editing keeps the film tight and free of unnecessary lag. Henry Jackman’s background score is serviceable but not particularly memorable. The production design is fine, and the Telugu dubbing is effective.

Verdict:

On the whole, The Bluff is a revenge action drama that banks largely on its well-crafted action sequences and Priyanka Chopra’s committed performance. However, a weak narrative and a poorly written antagonist dilute its overall impact. For viewers seeking a straightforward, action-driven OTT watch, the film may suffice, but it is best approached with measured expectations.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team 

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parasakthi

parasakthi

Movie Name :  Parasakthi
Streaming Date : Feb 07, 2026
Streaming Platform : ZEE5
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa, Sreeleela
Director : Sudha Kongara
Producer : Aakash Baskaran
Music Director : G.V. Prakash
Cinematographer  : Ravi K. Chandran
Editor : Sathish Suriya

Related Links : Trailer

Tamil actor Sivakarthikeyan’s film Parasakthi was released in theatres during the Pongal season and has now made its OTT debut on ZEE5, with a Telugu-dubbed version as well. Here’s our review to find out how it fares.

Story:

After India gains independence, the central government proposes a law to establish a single national language across the country instead of continuing with English introduced by the British. This triggers resistance in Tamil Nadu. Cheliyan (Sivakarthikeyan), a young student leader, opposes the move and leads a protest against Hindi imposition, inspiring many people to join him. To control the situation, the center appoints a special officer, Thiru (Ravi Mohan). The clash between them drives the narrative. How Cheliyan continues the fight to protect his mother tongue, how his brother Chinna Durai (Atharvaa) and his lover Rathnamala (Sreeleela) support him, why he steps away at one point, and why he returns again forms the rest of the story.

Plus Points:

The film connects well with those who have strong respect for their mother tongue. The subject has historical relevance, and director Sudha Kongara’s attempt to present it to today’s audience is decent.

She handles several portions in a balanced manner. Some emotional scenes work well. The Delhi job interview episode featuring Sivakarthikeyan and the following scene are notable. Most of the actors deliver good performances.

Sivakarthikeyan performs very well and is impressive in emotional scenes. Sreeleela gets a good Tamil debut. Her chemistry with Sivakarthikeyan works well, especially in the first half. She also looks graceful on screen. Atharvaa does well in his role. Ravi Mohan shows good intensity as the antagonist. Rana Daggubati’s cameo is fine, while Basil Joseph’s cameo leaves a stronger impact. The supporting cast performs well.

Minus Points:

Though the film has a strong subject, the emotional depth is not as powerful as expected. A few scenes create an impact, but viewers looking for stronger emotional weight may feel slightly disappointed.

Some characters could have been written better. Ravi Mohan’s role needed a more powerful presentation. Rana Daggubati’s cameo creates excitement at entry but is not developed strongly later.

The duet song in the second half feels unnecessary. Some slow-paced scenes affect the flow.

Technical Aspects:

The production values are decent. The period setup and production design are impressive. Cinematography presents the vintage backdrop well. However, the VFX work is weak in parts. GV Prakash Kumar’s music is decent, and the background score works in key scenes. Editing could have been tighter. The Telugu dubbing is good.

Director Sudha Kongara does a decent job, but considering her track record, the impact feels slightly below expectations. Her mark is visible in parts, but the emotional strength in the narration could have been better. Similar to how Dunki felt after Rajkumar Hirani’s earlier strong films, this one feels slightly underwhelming compared to expectations from Sudha Kongara.

Verdict:

On the whole, Parasakthi shines only in a few scenes, despite a sincere performance from Sivakarthikeyan and a good showing from Sreeleela. Some mother-tongue emotional moments are well depicted. However, those who expect a strong emotional drama may feel disappointed. Slow scenes and weak character design affect the film. It is better to watch it with low expectations if you still plan to watch it.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team 

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Sarvam Maya Review

Sarvam Maya Review

Movie Name :  Sarvam Maya
Streaming Date : Jan 30, 2026
Streaming Platform : Jio Hotstar
123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5
Starring : Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Riya Shibu, Janardhanan, Preity Mukhundhan, Raghunath Paleri and Madhu Wariar
Director : Akhil Sathyan
Producers : Dr. Ajayya Kumar and Rajeev Menon
Music Director : Justin Prabhakaran
Cinematographer  : Sharan Velayudhan
Editors : Akhil Sathyan, Rathin Radhakrishnan

Related Links : Trailer

Released on Christmas Eve, Sarvam Maya is a Malayalam film featuring Nivin Pauly in the lead. After a successful theatrical run, the film is now streaming on Jio Hotstar in multiple languages, including Telugu. Read on to know how it is.

Story:

Prabhendu (Nivin Pauly), an aspiring guitarist and atheist who lives away from his family due to differences with his father, is forced to return home after his visa for a Europe tour gets cancelled. To earn money, he assists his cousin Rupesh, a priest, and during an exorcism-related assignment, experiences a strange incident. Soon after, Prabhendu senses the presence of a young girl in his room who uses his phone and behaves in puzzling ways. He later encounters her and nicknames her Delulu (Riya Shibu). With no memory of her past and an unusual nature, Delulu does not behave like a typical ghost, and as their interaction grows, she begins influencing Prabhendu’s life. Who exactly is Delulu? What is her past? Why is she connected to Prabhendu, and how will her presence change his life? These questions form the crux of the film.

Plus Points:

The story of Sarvam Maya follows a familiar supernatural setup, but the film benefits from its treatment and character-driven narration rather than novelty.

Riya Shibu’s portrayal of Delulu is the film’s biggest strength. Her character is playful, mischievous, and humorous instead of being scary. Her expressions, timing, and screen presence stand out, making Delulu instantly likeable. She clearly emerges as the show-stealer.

Nivin Pauly delivers a controlled and sincere performance as an atheist caught in an unusual situation. He balances fear, innocence, emotion, and humour effectively. His combination scenes with Riya Shibu form the emotional and entertainment backbone of the film.

Preity Mukhundhan appears in a limited role but leaves an impression. Aju Varghese supports the film with light humour, while Janardhanan performs reliably as the lead’s uncle. The supporting cast fits well into the narrative.

The emotional portions towards the climax, particularly the revelation related to Delulu’s identity, connect well and leave an emotional impact.

Minus Points:

While the treatment elevates the film to an extent, the core story remains predictable. A few sequences feel routine and offer no major surprises.

The dynamic between Nivin Pauly and Aju Varghese could have been explored further to generate more humour. Similarly, Preity Mukhundhan’s character feels underwritten and exits the narrative abruptly.

Not all the comedy works. While character-driven humour clicks, some situational sequences feel overstretched. Although the emotional intent of the climax connects, some viewers may feel the narrative explanation could have been clearer.

Technical Aspects:

Director Akhil Sathyan presents the film in a clean and accessible manner. His attempt to blend humour, emotion, and supernatural elements mostly works, though the second half could have been tighter.

Sharan Velayudhan’s cinematography suits the film’s tone. Justin Prabhakaran’s music complements the narrative and enhances the emotional portions. Editing by Akhil Sathyan and Rathin Radhakrishnan is adequate, though trimming a few scenes would have improved pacing. Production values are decent, and the Telugu dubbing is fine, but could have been better.

Verdict:

On the whole, Sarvam Maya is an entertaining supernatural comedy that relies more on its characters than its story. While the plot feels familiar, the engaging treatment and the Delulu character keep the film afloat. Nivin Pauly delivers a steady performance, but it is Riya Shibu who truly elevates the film. Though it does not break new ground, Sarvam Maya benefits from its neat presentation and family-friendly treatment, placing it firmly on the positive side. It emerges as one of the better OTT options for a relaxed weekend watch.

123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team 

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