OTT

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