8 Vasantalu Review: A Mixed Tale of Love and Missed Opportunities
Phanindra Narsetti, who gained a following for his short films, returns to the big screen with 8 Vasantalu, produced by Mythri Movie Makers. This marks the director’s second feature film after Manu (2018). Ananthika Sanilkumar shines in the lead role, complemented by Hanu Reddy, while Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music and Vishwanath Reddy’s cinematography stand out. However, inconsistent character arcs and miscasting in key roles hamper the film’s overall impact.
Plot Summary:
The film revolves around Shuddhi Ayodhya (Ananthika Sanilkumar), an independent and self-assured woman. After a breakup with an NRI boy, she finds love again with Sanjay, a poet and writer. Will this relationship have a happy ending? What is Sanjay’s backstory? And how does it intertwine with Shuddhi’s journey? These questions form the crux of the story.
Performances:
Ananthika delivers a captivating performance, making the character relatable with her expressions and screen presence. Hanu Reddy shines as the charming first boyfriend, making a strong impression. However, Ravitheja Duggirala as Sanjay feels miscast, struggling with emotional depth and dialogue delivery. The supporting roles, especially Shuddhi’s mother, also fail to create the desired impact.
Technical Aspects:
Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music and background score stand out, with memorable songs and a Kashmir episode that’s beautifully complemented by Vishwanath Reddy’s captivating cinematography. Editing by Shashank Mali is satisfactory, though it falters in the second half. Production values are a mixed bag — while the first half feels rich and inviting, the second half resembles a TV serial.
Positives:
✅ Ananthika and Hanu Reddy’s performances
✅ Music and cinematography
✅ A few meaningful dialogues
Negatives:
❌ Ravitheja Duggirala’s performance
❌ Inconsistent character arcs and overtly preachy tone
❌ Second half and its melodrama
❌ Weak supporting cast
❌ Lack of relatability in key moments
Final Analysis:
A successful romantic drama needs strong character arcs, palpable chemistry, and relatability. 8 Vasantalu shines in its first half with a heartfelt Kashmir episode, solid performances, and a strong musical backdrop. However, it falters later due to inconsistently written character arcs, miscasting, and melodramatic moments that dilute its emotional depth. Director Phanindra Narsetti may have to wait for another film to secure his first big hit.
Bottomline: 8 Vasantalu — Partly shines, but struggles to win the heart.
