Gurram Paapi Reddy Review: Stretched Dark Comedy with Limited Laughs
Comedy films have been witnessing a steady comeback at the box office, and Gurram Paapi Reddy generated curiosity largely for this reason. Adding to the buzz is Jathi Ratnalu fame Faria Abdullah, whose energetic promotions further amplified expectations. The crucial question, however, is whether the film manages to sustain its humour throughout.
Story
Gurram Paapi Reddy (Naresh Agastya) and Soudamani (Faria Abdullah) rope in three quirky individuals—Military, Chilipi, and Goyyi—to dig up a buried body. As the mission progresses, Gurram reveals that the act is part of a carefully planned revenge against two wealthy brothers belonging to a royal lineage who had wronged him and Soudamani in the past. His ultimate aim is to extract a huge sum from them.
But is Gurram telling the whole truth, or does he have a hidden agenda? Does the plan unfold as expected?
Performances
Naresh Agastya once again showcases his versatility with a restrained yet effective performance. As Gurram Paapi Reddy, he smartly allows the narrative and supporting cast to shine when needed, which works in the film’s favour.
Faria Abdullah breaks away from the conventional heroine mould. With no forced romantic angle, she gets a meaningful character arc and handles it with confidence.
Brahmanandam appears in an extended role as a judge, a refreshing shift from his brief yet impactful outing in Jathi Ratnalu. Yogi Babu, Rajkumar Kasireddy, Vamshidhar Kosgi, and Jeevan Kumar add occasional comic moments, though their impact remains inconsistent.
Technical Aspects
The film’s limited budget reflects in its production values. Cinematography and music serve the purpose but do not stand out. Editing is a major drawback, as several sequences feel unnecessarily stretched.
Highlights
- Interesting core premise
- Interval twist
- A handful of effective jokes
Drawbacks
- Dragged narration
- Repetitive humour
- Limited entertainment quotient
- Lack of sharp editing
Analysis
Gurram Paapi Reddy begins on a promising note and delivers genuine laughs in its early portions. The grave-digging episodes set in Srisailam and the subsequent reburial in Hyderabad are cleverly staged, establishing the film as a quirky dark comedy without revealing too much upfront.
However, after laying this engaging foundation, the narrative loses momentum. Several pre-interval stretches feel directionless, with repetitive comic bits—especially involving Rajkumar Kasireddy and Vamshidhar Kosgi—gradually wearing thin. The humour overstays its welcome, leading to viewer fatigue.
Just when the film appears to be running out of steam, a smart interval reveal injects freshness and intrigue. This twist single-handedly salvages the first half, which otherwise tests patience due to prolonged sequences.
The second half fares marginally better. Comedy involving Metta Rajender—revealed as a man with multiple sons—offers a few laughs. The confusion surrounding the DNA test involving Jeevan Kumar and Yogi Babu’s Recheekati provides some amusement but lacks consistency.
At its core, Gurram Paapi Reddy aspires to be a dark humour thriller. Unfortunately, it struggles to decide whether to fully embrace its thriller elements or lean decisively into comedy. This tonal confusion results in uneven storytelling. While the final twist and sequel hint are reasonably effective, the film would have benefited from a sharper focus on comedy with tighter, well-spaced humour.
Bottom Line
Despite an interesting premise and a few well-executed comic moments, Gurram Paapi Reddy falls short due to stretched narration, repetitive sequences, and uneven pacing. An idea with potential ultimately ends up diluted.
