Movie name: Sundarakanda
Director and Writer: Venkatesh Nimmalapudi
Starring: Nara Rohith, Sridevi Vijaykumar, Virti Vaghani, Satya, Naresh Vijay Krishna, Vasuki Anand among others
Producers: Santhosh Chinnapolla, Gowtham Reddy, and Rakesh Mahankalli,
Banner Sandeep Picture Palace (SPP) Music Composer: Leon James
Cinematographer (DOP): Pradeesh M. Varma
Editor: Rohan Chillale
Filmycycle.com Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Sundarakanda: Comedy works (3/5)
Release Date: August 27, 2025.
Sundarakanda, a fresh romantic comedy in Telugu cinema, has arrived in theatres on August 27,2025. Starring Nara Rohith, Sridevi Vijaykumar, and Virti Vaghani in pivotal roles, the film is helmed by Venkatesh Nimmalapudi. Let’s Review it.
Synopsis:
Siddharth (Nara Rohith) appears to have a perfect life wealth, charm, and success – yet he has stayed unmarried, holding on to an uncompromising belief that his life partner must possess five specific qualities. His pursuit of this ideal keeps him distant from every proposal.Fate intervenes when he notices Aira (Virti Vaghani), a spirited college student, who instantly piques his interest. Convinced she might be the one who fits his principles, Siddharth heads to Vizag to know her better. Despite the hesitation caused by their age difference, Aira eventually accepts his proposal.But just as love begins to blossom, an unforeseen truth surfaces, shaking Siddharth’s long-guarded convictions. Why has he guarded his bachelorhood so fiercely? What are the five rules he never lets go of? And how does Vaishnavi (Sridevi Vijaykumar) enter his life and change the dynamics of his love story?The answers to these questions unravel in this emotional journey filled with romance, dilemmas, and destiny.
Performances:
Coming off his intense portrayal in Bhairavam, Nara Rohith takes on a lighter role this time, and it fits him perfectly. He pulls off comedy with natural ease and shines in the emotional moments of the latter half.
Virti Vaghani is given a well-etched character and she rises to the occasion. Her performance feels confident, and her emotional exchanges with Rohith leave a strong impression. With the right choice of roles, she looks set for a bright career ahead.
Sridevi Vijaykumar brings grace to the screen and lends dignity to her character. Though her role is measured, it carries importance in the story, and she portrays it with just the right balance.On the entertainment front, Satya ensures a steady flow of laughs, with his comic timing working effectively. Vasuki Anand is convincing as Rohith’s sister, while Sunaina Badam and Abhinav Gomatam leave their mark despite limited screen time.
Analysis:
Sundarakanda is a run of the mill rom-com that is clean and entertaining in parts, but feels very routine and predictable, which ultimately hinders the film.The core concept of the film is unconventional and even a bit uncanny, yet the director manages to present it in a fairly convincing way.On the whole , the film works when it sticks to lighthearted entertainment. However, whenever it shifts into the love story or drama portions, it turns very routine and predictable, bringing a sense of deja vu we’ve seen in many films. The flow is further hampered by unnecessary fights and a few songs that act as speed breakers. It felt like the director had honest intentions in telling this story but wasn’t able to create a fully satisfactory experience. Satya is the show stealer and his comedy timing has carried the film. The rest of the cast did well. Ends up as an okayish timepass watch.The interval twist emerges as a highlight. It’s a genuine surprise that boosts the engagement level and sustains curiosity into the second half. Director Venkatesh Nimmalapudi deserves credit for keeping the momentum alive while handling the narrative twists with control.
Technical Department:
For a newcomer, Venkatesh Nimmalapudi shows commendable command over the craft. He keeps the narrative engaging and avoids major lags, ensuring the audience stays invested through most of the runtime.On the technical side, Pradeesh Varma’s cinematography serves the film well, while Rohan Chillale’s editing is crisp, though a tighter cut in a few places could have enhanced the pacing further. The production values are strong, and special mention must go to Harsha and Poojitha Tadikonda’s costume design, which adds freshness and flair particularly in Virti’s vibrant looks.The musical score by Leon James stands out as one of the biggest strengths. The songs are catchy and placed aptly within the narrative, with at least two numbers making a strong impression. His background music further heightens the emotional and dramatic beats of the film.
Verdict:
Altogether, Sundarakanda is a simple and predictable rom-com drama that works for its treatment which is coated with a entertaining proceedings. On the flip side, lack of the emotional depth in the plot comes as a demerit for the movie. Making it an one time watch during this festival weekend.
