Premante Review: No Love, No Thrill
Priyadarshi, who delivered a major hit with The Court and followed it up with Sarangapani Jathakam, has been keeping himself busy with back-to-back projects, including Mithra Mandali and now Premante. This time, he teams up with Anandhi, a talented and charming Telugu actress. Let’s see what the film offers.
Story:
Madhu (Priyadarshi) and Ramya (Anandhi) meet at a wedding and instantly click. Their families approve, and they soon get married. Madhu runs a small firm, Sujatha Security Agency, but Ramya later discovers that he is secretly a thief. Meanwhile, head constable Asha Mary (Suma Kanakala), assisted by her senior Sampath (Vennela Kishore), tries to crack a series of thefts in the city. What happens next forms the main narrative.
Performances:
Priyadarshi is recognized among youth audiences, but he heavily depends on strong writing and dialogues. Unfortunately, the script doesn’t provide him much to work with, and his efforts fail to elevate the film. Anandhi has screen presence and can emote well, but her inconsistent character arc—from a soft-spoken, moral woman to actively supporting theft—confuses the audience and undermines emotional connection.
Suma Kanakala’s comedic timing doesn’t shine here, as she sticks to the scripted dialogues, making her character bland. Vennela Kishore manages occasional laughs with situational lines. Supporting actors like Ravi Prakash, Meka Venkateswara Rao, and E.I. Padamaja are adequate, while Hyper Aadi and Ram Prasad are underutilized.
Technical Aspects:
Music is average, with songs like Daachaave Nanne failing to leave a lasting impression. Editing and cinematography are neat, but technical proficiency cannot compensate for the weak script.
Highlights:
- Lead actors’ effort
Drawbacks:
- Poorly written heroine
- No emotional resonance
- Weak climax
Analysis:
The title Premante… and the tagline Thrill Praptirastu promise love and thrill, but the film delivers neither. The leads’ actions make them hard to empathize with, as their crimes feel unjustified. A few humorous moments, like the protagonists looting high-profile homes with name boards reading Konidela Nilayam and Daggubati Nilayam, bring mild smiles, but they are few and far between.
The major issue is the heroine’s characterization. Initially portrayed as morally upright, she suddenly supports criminal behavior with little explanation, breaking narrative coherence and emotional engagement. The film had potential to be a quirky, entertaining crime-comedy for Gen-Z audiences, but inconsistent writing and an uninspiring screenplay prevent it from hitting the mark.
Bottom Line:
Despite a promising concept and capable cast, Premante struggles with inconsistent characters, weak writing, and negligible thrill. Ultimately, it leaves the audience with no love and nil excitement.
