Movie Name : Epic-First Semester
Release Date : September 11, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Anand Deverakonda, Vaishnavi Chaitanya and Others
Director : Aditya Hasan
Producers : Suryadevara Naga Vamsi & Sai Soujanya
Music Director : Hesham Abdul Wahab
Cinematographer : Azeem Mohammad
Editor : Navin Nooli
Related Links : Trailer
Epic – First Semester brings the ‘Baby’ duo Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya together again. Directed by Aditya Hasan, this slice-of-life drama arrived amid decent buzz, mainly because of the reunion of the Baby pair. Here is our take on the movie.
Story:
Set against the backdrop of Wanaparthy and London, the film follows Aditya (Anand Deverakonda), an innocent and easy-going youngster who aspires to become a film director. However, his parents want him to pursue higher education abroad. He eventually travels to London, where he meets Kadali (Vaishnavi Chaitanya), a strong-willed and independent girl from Vizag. An unexpected bond develops between them, and their contrasting personalities gradually lead to fun, conflicts, ego clashes and emotional moments. The challenges they face in their relationship form the crux of the story.
Plus Points:
Anand Deverakonda takes on a role that suits him well. His innocent portrayal of Aditya works, particularly in his conversations with Kadali. His expressions and comic timing generate a few laughs, and he carries the character with ease.
As Kadali, Vaishnavi Chaitanya does a decent job. Her character is quite different from the kind of roles she has played before, and the contrast between her strong personality and Anand’s innocent nature creates some curiosity. She brings the required conviction to the role.
The relationship dynamics between the lead pair are among the better aspects of the film. The fun, pain, ego clashes and adjustments between them are showcased through some good conversations, with a few moments feeling natural and relatable. Kalyan Shankar’s comedy works in parts, while Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music and background score help elevate several scenes.
Minus Points:
The biggest problem with Epic – First Semester is its writing. The basic story is simple and offers nothing particularly new, which is not necessarily a problem if supported by strong characterisation and engaging moments. Unfortunately, the film struggles to build on its premise effectively.
Most of the film revolves around conversations between the lead pair, but many of them keep circling around the same emotional territory without providing enough clarity or meaningful progression. The first half and a substantial portion of the second half follow a similar pattern, making the narrative feel repetitive and stretched. While the pre-climax and climax have some emotional moments, they arrive after the film has already tested the audience’s patience.
The connection with the 90s – A Middle Class Biopic web series does not add much value either. While Epic – First Semester comes from the same world, the connection feels more like an attempt to benefit from the popularity of the web series than something that meaningfully contributes to this story. The intimate scenes between the lead pair could also limit its reach among sections of family audiences.
Anand’s character is written with an excessive level of innocence, which does not always feel convincing and may not be easy for all viewers to accept. The supporting characters, particularly those played by Sivaji and Vasuki, are also not explored well enough. Better development of these characters and their emotional connection with the leads could have added more weight to the drama.
Technical Aspects:
Writer-director Aditya Hasan has a story in hand but struggles to shape it effectively, resulting in repetitive writing and uneven execution. Hesham Abdul Wahab is a major strength, with his music and background score elevating several scenes and making some otherwise ordinary moments more effective.
Azeem Mohammad’s cinematography is satisfying, and the production values are decent. The editing, however, needed more work, as several scenes and conversations could have been trimmed to make the narrative tighter and more engaging.
Verdict:
On the whole, Epic – First Semester is a love drama that is passable in parts, with decent performances from Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya. The lead pair shares a few good moments, the comedy works in parts, and Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music provides a boost to several scenes. However, the film is let down by its writing, repetitive narrative and lack of progression. The emotional payoff arrives a little too late to make a significant impact, while the prolonged relationship drama gradually tests the audience’s patience. If you are willing to sit through the slower stretches for the occasional good moments, you can consider it, but keep your expectations in check.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
