telugu movie reviews

Review: Couple Friendly – Decent romantic drama

by 123telugu February 14, 2026

Movie Name : Couple Friendly

Release Date : Feb 14, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Santosh Soban, Manasa Varanasi, and others.
Director : Ashwin Chandrasekar
Producer : Ajay Kumar Raju.P
Music Director : Aditya Ravindran
Cinematographer : Dinesh Purushothaman
Editor : Ganesh Siva

Related Links : Trailer

Santosh Sobhan pinned all his hopes on his latest outing, Couple Friendly directed by Ashwin Chandrasekhar. The movie stars Manasa Varanasi as the female lead. The movie hit the big screens with paid premieres and let’s see how it is.

Story:

Siva Sai Prathap a.k.a. Siva (Santosh Sobhan) is a budding interior designer who moves to Chennai in search of a project. He works as a bike taxi rider to make ends meet until he gets a breakthrough. On the other hand, Mithra (Manasa Varanasi) lands an IT job but goes through a tough phase as her offer letter is yet to be released. How the two cross paths and become an important part of each other’s lives forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

The best part about Couple Friendly is that the director comes up with relatable characterizations for the lead pair, which makes viewers connect instantly with the film. The struggles faced by youngsters before landing a job are something many can identify with, and all these scenes are neatly written.

The hero and heroine meet because of the tough situations they are caught in, and from this point, the film becomes even more adorable. The way the lead pair cross paths, the manner in which they grow in their lives through combined effort, and how they eventually fall for each other while living under one roof — all these elements are beautifully showcased.

The first half is filled with many tender moments that leave a pleasant smile on our faces. Santosh Sobhan does a very good job as a youngster who strives hard to earn money. The male protagonist’s life is portrayed as miserable, and the actor effectively translates it onto the screen.

Manasa Varanasi is the show-stealer of Couple Friendly without an iota of doub. The actress delivers a fabulous performance as Mithra, and it is one of the finest female lead portrayals in recent times in Tollywood. It’s tough not to fall in love with her magical performance, and she is surely a talent to watch out for.

The lead pair share wonderful chemistry, which makes the proceedings even more engaging. Yogi Babu does well in the supporting role. Others do what is expected of them. After the lead pair, the music stands out in this romantic saga.

Minus Points:

The second half turns heavy unexpectedly. Though handled decently, the main development in the plot is introduced abruptly, and the emotional transition could have been smoother. It’s not that the second hour isn’t good, but it could have been even better.

Since the first half was filled with tender moments, those expecting the second half to stay in the same zone may feel slightly disappointed, as the emotional scenes make one leave the hall heavyhearted. This is something the trailer did not prepare viewers for beforehand.

Technical Aspects:

Generally, when a Telugu film is set in a non-Telugu-speaking region, we see the native characters conversing in Telugu. Thankfully, Couple Friendly gets this aspect right, as we hear Tamil in most of the scenes, giving the film an organic touch.

Shooting in live locations in Chennai is another great decision by the team, and cinematographer Dinesh Purushothaman does a brilliant job. The music by Aditya Ravindran is refreshing and takes the beauty of Couple Friendly a few notches higher. The editing is mostly fine.

Director Ashwin Chandrasekhar does a neat job. He delivers a simple tale filled with likeable characters, cute romantic moments, and decent emotions. The decision to use different aspect ratios to differentiate the timelines is good.

Verdict:

On the whole, Couple Friendly is a decent romantic drama led by solid performances from Santosh Sobhan and Manasa Varanasi, backed by relatable characterizations. The music is pleasant, and the director also does a satisfactory job. The first half is youthful with tender moments, but the second half turns heavy with sudden tonal shift, and the emotional transition could have been handled better. If one expects the latter half to carry the same vibe as the first, they might be slightly disappointed. That said, Couple Friendly can be given a try for its realistic approach.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

February 14, 2026

Review: Sri Chidambaram Garu – Good intentions, below-par presentation

by 123telugu February 7, 2026

Movie Name : Sri Chidambaram Garu

Release Date : Feb 06, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Vamsi Tummala, Sandhya Vasishta, Gopinath, Sivakumar Matta, Kalpalatha Garllapati, Arun Kumar, Tulasi, Naidu Moram, Shankar Rao
Director : Vinay Ratnam
Producers : Chinta Vineesha Reddy, Chinta Gopala Krishna Reddy
Music Director : Chandu Ravi
Cinematographer : Shravan Muppiri
Editor : Anwar Ali

Related Links : Trailer

Last year, Sri Chakras Entertainments delivered a superhit in the form of KA. The banner has now come up with another film, Sri Chidambaram Garu. Vinay Ratnam directed the film, and debutant Vamsi Tummala played the titular role. Today, Sri Chidambaram Garu hit the big screens, and let’s see how it is.

Story:

Solomon, alias Chidambaram (Vamsi Tummala), lives with his mother in a village near Rajahmundry. He works as a construction laborer to make a living. However, due to a squint in his eye, Chidambaram lives with the constant feeling that people pity him. To avoid being mocked for his flaw, he always wears dark glasses.

Leela (Sandhya Vashishta), a girl from the same village, falls for him after seeing his kind heart. But due to a small misunderstanding, Solomon believes that Leela has rejected him. What decision does he take afterward? How does he regain the confidence he lost? How does he win back his love? This forms part of the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

Despite the film marking his debut, Vamsi Tummala exhibited solid confidence in his portrayal as Solomon. He neatly portrays the emotional turmoil of a person with a physical defect. Sandhya Vashishta is pretty good as Leela, and she nailed her dialogue delivery in the Godavari dialect.

The chemistry between the lead pair works well, and the love scenes between them are engaging. The manner in which the heroine’s emotional struggle for the hero is depicted is also touching. A neat and clean love story like this hasn’t been made in recent times.

The message that the film offers is solid. The idea that “If you don’t love yourself, how can you expect others to love you?” has a good chance to connect with today’s youth. The rural setting and the beauty of the Godavari region are captured beautifully on camera. The visuals are pleasant throughout the film.

Minus Points:

The film moves at a very slow pace, and this is the biggest drawback of Sri Chidambaram Garu. The time taken to build emotional depth feels stretched in several moments. The lack of engaging elements is one more major flaw. Though the love track is clean, unlike many recent films, it remains flat for the most part without any major developments.

The second half could have been shortened for a better impact. Since the movie is entirely character-driven, audiences expecting regular commercial or mass elements may find the film less engaging.

Some elements feel overly simple, while a few come across as slightly silly, which diminishes the overall impact. Because of the straightforward narration, the film feels boring in many instances.

Technical Aspects:

Director Vinay Ratnam has chosen a good core idea, and Sri Chidambaram Garu is no doubt a sincere attempt. Editing could have been sharper, especially in the second half, where a few scenes could have been trimmed.

Though the attempt is sincere, the lack of gripping narration holds the film back. The music suits the film well. Cinematography stands out as a major asset, beautifully capturing the rural visuals and landscapes. Production values are decent.

Verdict:

On the whole, Sri Chidambaram Garu is a sincere attempt, but it doesn’t pack a punch. The director presents themes of self-confidence and self-love that are neatly supported by actors’ performances. Though the message that the film conveys is good, the simple storyline and slow pacing may restrict the film’s overall impact. Hence, it falls short of being an impactful outing despite its good intentions.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

February 7, 2026

Review : Roshan’s Champion – A Sincere Blend of Sport and History

by 123telugu December 26, 2025

Movie Name : Champion

Release Date : Dec 25, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Roshan Meka, Anaswara Rajan, Nandamuri Kalyan Chakravarthy and others
Director : Pradeep Advaitham
Producers : Priyanka Dutt, GK Mohan, Gemini Kiran
Music Director : Mickey J Meyer
Cinematographer : Madhie ISC
Editor : Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao

Related Links : Trailer

Champion marks Roshan Meka’s return to the big screen after a four-year hiatus. The film also introduces Malayali actress Anaswara Rajan to Telugu cinema. Directed by Pradeep Advaitham, this period war action drama arrives with the backing of Swapna Cinema and considerable expectations. It hits big screens today and here is how the film fares.

Story:

Set in post-Independence India, Michael C. Williams (Roshan Meka) is a talented and sharp-minded footballer playing for the Secunderabad Blues. When a Manchester club manager offers him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in London, Michael takes a calculated risk and agrees to transport guns, ensuring the chance does not slip away. During the operation, he unknowingly enters Bhairanpally, a village resisting the Razakars and their allies, intending to move on once his task is complete. However, close exposure to the villagers’ struggle forces him to reassess his priorities. How an ambitious man determined to leave the country ultimately chooses to fight for his land and people forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

Roshan Meka delivers an impressive performance and looks convincing in a rugged, manly avatar. His screen presence, expressions, and dialogue delivery work strongly in his favour. He shows noticeable maturity as a performer and carries the film confidently on his shoulders.

Anaswara Rajan makes a promising Telugu debut. Despite limited screen time, she leaves a strong impact with her natural performance. The understated romance between the leads is handled neatly and feels emotionally honest.

The idea of blending football with a war drama is refreshing. The makers skillfully integrate the sport into the narrative without making it feel forced. The mix of historical backdrop and fictional elements works well for the most part.

The war sequences, especially the interval block and the pre-climax, are well executed and benefit greatly from strong production values and effective cinematography. The emotional moments land reasonably well, aided by well-placed songs that add depth to the narrative.

The supporting cast, including Nandamuri Kalyan Chakravarthy and Rachcha Ravi, performs effectively. Most characters serve a purpose in the story and do not feel included merely for namesake.

Minus Points:

The major drawback lies in the handling of history. Since real names are used, viewers familiar with the actual events may find certain creative liberties difficult to accept. While the makers do not alter history outright, inserting a fictional protagonist into real incidents may not resonate with those who are aware of the suffering endured during that period.

The CG work is another weak point. Despite the scale and budget, the visual effects, particularly during war sequences, appear underwhelming and slightly disrupt the viewing experience.

Emotions play a crucial role in films of this genre. Although the film contains emotional moments, the portrayal of pain and struggle could have been more impactful.

Several supporting characters, including those played by Naresh, Laxman Meesala, Vennela Kishore, and Ravindra Vijay, feel underutilized, with limited scope to explore their full potential.

Technical Aspects:

Pradeep Advaitham takes on a challenging subject in his feature debut and handles it competently. His writing is structured, and the concept of merging sports with a freedom struggle is commendable, though a stronger emotional grip could have elevated the film further.

Mickey J. Meyer’s background score supports the narrative effectively, while the songs are well composed and placed. R. Madhi’s cinematography stands out, capturing the period setting with striking visuals. Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao’s editing keeps the film mostly engaging without unnecessary lag. The production design and art department deserve appreciation for recreating the era convincingly.

Verdict:

On the whole, Champion is a sincere period war drama that blends sports with history in an engaging manner. Roshan Meka impresses with a confident performance, and Anaswara Rajan makes a solid Telugu debut. While the film takes certain historical liberties and falters in emotional depth at places, its strong performances, technical finesse, and rich production values make it a watchable theatrical experience.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

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