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Telugu Movies

Review: Nayanthara’s Hi –  Stale Drama, No Fresh Magic

by 123telugu

Movie Name : Hi

Release Date : August 28, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.25/5
Starring : Nayanthara, Kavin, Bhagyaraj, Radhika Sarathkumar and Others
Director : Vishnu Edavan
Producers : Vignesh Shivan, Nayanthara, SS Lalit Kumar
Music Director : Jen Martin
Cinematographer : Rajesh Shukla
Editor : Philomin Raj

Related Links : Trailer

Hi is the latest Tamil film of Nayanthara, who has doubled up as the actress and producer. Kavin shares the screen with her in the film, which was released today in both Tamil and Telugu. Here is the review to know how it fares.

Story:

Subrahmanyam (Kavin), a gentle and timid young man from Rajahmundry, has faced rejection from girls at every stage of his life. When his parents arrange his marriage, he decides to run away from home. Meanwhile, Devasena (Nayanthara), a brave and determined woman from Bhimavaram, escapes from an arranged marriage she never wanted. Their paths cross in Hyderabad, and what unfolds between them forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

Nayanthara, following her outing in Toxic, appears in a familiar role and does her best to deliver what the film demands. Kavin, who is quite different from her in terms of his character, also puts in a decent performance.

The lead pair looks okay together, and a few of their scenes work to an extent. Apart from the lead actors, the late legend Bhagyaraj makes an impression in his limited screen time. A few comedy scenes work here and there, while the music remains one of the better aspects of the film.

Minus Points:

The rom-com offers nothing particularly new, as the story closely resembles several movies that audiences have seen before. Even with a predictable plot, the story could have been handled more effectively with better writing and execution.

The film loses steam in the second half. Although there are a few gags, the narrative feels stretched in several places. What could have been a better romantic drama falls short because of the weak writing.

Even veterans like Radhika Sarathkumar, Prabhu, and VTV Ganesh have no substantial roles and are largely underutilised. The runtime feels lengthy for a familiar story like this, making it another drawback.

Technical Aspects:

Vishnu Edavan fails to make Hi an engaging watch. He could have done a better job with his directorial debut. He could have handled the story more effectively with a more engaging screenplay. If the scenes involving the lead pair had been written and presented better, the film could have at least been a passable watch.

The cinematography by Rajesh Shukla and Leon Britto is just about adequate, while Jen Martin’s music is a satisfactory aspect. Editing by Philomin Raj needed sharper editing, as several scenes could have been cut to maintain a better pace. The production values are decent, and the Telugu dubbing is fine.

Verdict:

On the whole, Hi offers a very predictable and outdated romantic drama with decent performances from Nayanthara and Kavin. A few comedy scenes work, but the notable supporting actors are largely underutilised. The film fails to make the most of its genre and does not create the intended emotional impact. Overall, Hi is not a film to add to your watchlist, and you can look for better alternatives.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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Baahubali The Epic

Even Japan Got It! Did the Makers Forget Telugu Audiences After Baahubali-The Epic’s OTT Debut?

by 123telugu

Baahubali The Epic

When Baahubali: The Epic arrived in theatres, Telugu audiences were among its strongest supporters. Unlike a routine re-release, the film was presented as a reimagined version of the Baahubali saga, bringing together the story of the two blockbuster films in a new format. Fans embraced the experiment and turned up in good numbers to experience the epic in a different way.

Naturally, many expected that enthusiasm to continue when the film made its digital debut. But when Baahubali: The Epic arrived on Netflix, Telugu viewers were met with an unexpected disappointment: the Telugu version was missing.

At first, fans did not make much of it. Language versions often arrive later on streaming platforms, and delays are not uncommon. Many assumed the Telugu version would eventually find its way to OTT.

A few weeks passed.

Then a few months.

Yet there was still no sign of a release.

Now, nearly eight months later, Telugu audiences are still waiting.

Just when fans were beginning to wonder what had happened to the Telugu version, another development made the situation even more puzzling. Baahubali: The Epic expanded beyond India and was released in Japan, where it reportedly found a positive response from audiences. A Japanese Blu-ray release followed and brought with it a surprise that few expected.

The Blu-ray included a Telugu audio track!

Suddenly, the question became impossible to ignore.

If a Telugu version was available for a Japanese home-video release, why was it still unavailable on OTT in its home market?

For most viewers, importing a Blu-ray from Japan is hardly a practical solution. It is expensive, inconvenient, and beyond the reach of the average moviegoer. Yet that became one of the few ways for fans to legally access the Telugu audio version of Baahubali: The Epic.

The prolonged wait has also led to an unfortunate consequence. Enthusiastic fans reportedly began syncing Telugu DTS audio sourced from Blu-ray releases with the video version available online, creating unofficial versions that quickly spread across social media and piracy circles. Ironically, the absence of an official Telugu OTT release may have encouraged the very thing the industry has long tried to combat.

Despite all this, a large section of fans continues to wait for an official release. They want to watch the film legally, in the best possible quality, and on a platform that is easily accessible.

What has frustrated many viewers most is not simply the delay, but the silence surrounding it.

Nearly eight months have passed, yet there has been no public clarification from the makers regarding the Telugu OTT release. Whether the delay is the result of rights issues, platform negotiations, or other complications remains unclear.

The silence feels even more noticeable as attention shifts toward the future of the franchise. The makers are actively developing Baahubali: The Eternal War, an animated feature currently targeted for release in 2027. Fans are excited to see the world of Baahubali expand further, but many also feel that the unanswered questions surrounding Baahubali: The Epic deserve equal attention.

After all, Telugu audiences were instrumental in turning Baahubali into a cultural phenomenon long before it became a global success story.

That is why the question refuses to go away:

If a Telugu audio track can be included on a Japanese Blu-ray release, why is the Telugu OTT version of Baahubali: The Epic still missing after all these months?

More importantly, will the makers finally address the audience that has been waiting patiently for an answer?

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Review: Ram Charan’s Peddi – An Engaging Sports Drama Rooted in Strong Emotions

by 123telugu

Movie Name : Peddi

Release Date : June 4, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5
Starring : Ram Charan, Janhvi Kapoor, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyendu Sharma
Director : Buchi Babu Sana
Producers : Venkata Satish Kilaru
Music Director : AR Rahman
Cinematographer : Ratnavelu ISC
Editor : Navin Nooli

Related Links : Trailer

Ram Charan’s much-awaited sports drama Peddi has finally arrived in theatres amid massive expectations. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana and featuring a star-studded cast, the film generated significant buzz through its promotional campaign. With promises of intense emotions, sports drama, and a powerful central performance, does Peddi live up to the hype? Let’s find out.

Story:

Set in 2016, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports begins a search for exceptional sporting talent following India’s disappointing performance at the Olympics. During this mission, sports official Mr. Paiswal (Boman Irani) arrives in Vizianagaram and learns about Peddi (Ram Charan), a jaggery worker from an unrecognised village who has earned a reputation for excelling in multiple sports. Curious about the man and his extraordinary abilities, Paiswal sets out to uncover the story behind Peddi’s journey and his deep connection to his village.

Plus Points:

Ram Charan is undoubtedly the film’s biggest strength. After Rangasthalam, this is one of those rare roles that allows him to showcase both his acting prowess and emotional depth. He delivers a committed performance throughout and completely owns the character of Peddi. His portrayal is convincing and impactful, allowing the audience to connect with the character’s journey. The emotional maturity he displays during the pre-climax and climax portions stands out as one of the film’s major highlights.

Shiva Rajkumar plays an important role and leaves a strong impression with his screen presence. His scenes with Ram Charan are engaging and contribute significantly to the narrative. Jagapathi Babu, despite limited screen time, makes his presence felt with a powerful performance as Appalasoori. Boman Irani is effective in his role and performs with his usual ease.

The sports sequences are handled well, particularly the cricket episodes, which provide several entertaining moments. Ram Charan’s physical transformation and commitment to the demanding role deserve appreciation.

While several emotional scenes fall short of their potential, the climax delivers the emotional payoff effectively and stands out as one of the film’s strongest aspects.

Minus Points:

While Peddi aims to balance sports drama with strong emotional storytelling, a few emotional scenes do not achieve the desired impact. Although they have the potential to be deeply moving, the writing and execution make them feel somewhat ordinary. The film also follows a few familiar storytelling patterns seen in similar sports dramas, making certain portions predictable and reducing their overall effectiveness.

Although the casting choices are appropriate, many supporting characters are underutilised. Janhvi Kapoor has very little contribution to the narrative and is largely confined to songs and a romantic subplot that lacks emotional connection. Similarly, talented actors such as Rao Ramesh, John Vijay, Ajay Ghosh, and others are not given enough opportunities to leave a lasting impression.

Some viewers may find certain dialogues difficult to follow due to their presentation and the Uttarandhra dialect. Additionally, the placement of the special song Hallallallo feels forced and does not blend naturally into the narrative.

The promotional campaign also revealed more than necessary, reducing the impact of a few key moments that would have worked better as surprises.

Technical Aspects:

Director Buchi Babu Sana chooses an ambitious subject for his second feature and succeeds in delivering an engaging film for the most part. He understands Ram Charan’s strengths and utilises them effectively. However, a tighter screenplay and sharper narrative progression could have elevated the overall experience considerably.

A.R. Rahman’s music and background score enhance several important moments. While his work is effective overall, a few emotional scenes could have benefited from a more impactful score. Cinematographer Ratnavelu delivers visually appealing frames and captures both the rural backdrop and sports sequences with richness and scale.

Naveen Nooli’s editing is satisfactory, though a few portions could have been trimmed for a crisper narrative. The production values are impressive throughout, reflecting the film’s grand scale. The visual effects are decent but leave room for improvement in certain scenes.

Verdict:

On the whole, Peddi is an engaging and emotional sports drama elevated largely by Ram Charan’s outstanding performance. His portrayal of the titular character carries the film and delivers several memorable moments, particularly during the emotionally charged climax portions. Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, and the supporting cast perform their roles effectively. However, the film is not without flaws. Predictable narrative beats, underutilised supporting characters, and a few emotional sequences that fall short of their intended impact prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite these shortcomings, Peddi remains an engaging watch, thanks to its blend of sports, emotion, and an inspiring story. Fans of Ram Charan and emotional sports dramas are likely to come away highly satisfied.

123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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