Telusu Kada Review: Siddhu Jonnalagadda in a New Avatar
After scoring back-to-back hits with DJ Tillu (2022) and Tillu Square (2024), Siddhu Jonnalagadda appeared poised to become a youth-favorite bankable hero. However, his previous outing, Jack, turned out to be a massive disappointment, with many feeling Siddhu was still trapped in the ‘Tillu’ persona. Needing a strong film to reclaim his lost momentum, Siddhu teamed up with debut director and writer Neeraja Kona for a contemporary romantic drama, Telusu Kada, starring Raashii Khanna and Srinidhi Shetty in lead roles. With music by Thaman generating pre-release buzz, the film finally hit theatres—so did it help Siddhu reclaim his winning streak?
Plot Summary
Varun (Siddhu Jonnalagadda), an orphan and self-made man, dreams of a happy family life. His girlfriend Raaga (Srinidhi Shetty) refuses to define their relationship or consider marriage. After their breakup, Varun marries Anjali (Raashii Khanna), but the couple discovers they cannot have biological children. Raaga re-enters Varun’s life, complicating matters further. How the relationships evolve and the decisions Anjali makes to fulfill her dreams form the rest of the story.
Performances
With only nine characters, the film mostly revolves around Siddhu, Raashii, Srinidhi, and Harsha Chemudu, who occupy around 80% of screen time.
- Siddhu Jonnalagadda (Varun): Siddhu delivers a strong performance, with effortless dialogue delivery and comic timing. He clearly attempts to shed the ‘Tillu’ influence, though his conscious effort sometimes appears slightly forced.
- Raashii Khanna (Anjali): Raashii impresses with her performance and on-screen chemistry with Siddhu, especially during their first sequence together.
- Srinidhi Shetty (Raaga): She shines in her author-backed role, particularly during flashback sequences.
- Harsha Chemudu: Provides solid comic relief as Varun’s friend and business partner.
- Veterans Annapoornamma, Rohini, and Sanjay Swaroop: Annapoornamma delivers a heartwarming performance during the climax; the others leave a brief but notable impact.
Technical Aspects
- Music & Background Score: Thaman delivers two hit songs and a strong BGM. However, the ‘heroic’ background score feels out of place in a contemporary romantic drama.
- Cinematography: V. S. Gnana Shekar shines, particularly in flashbacks and song montages, capturing picturesque moments beautifully.
- Editing: Naveen Nooli’s editing is competent, though a few repetitive sequences could have been trimmed.
- Production Values: People Media Factory supports Neeraja Kona with high production quality, similar to their previous outing, Mirai.
Positives
- Two chartbuster songs
- Relatable dialogues in most parts
- Four to five beautifully executed moments
- Strong performances
- Fresh, contemporary conflict point
Negatives
- Over-the-top dialogues at times
- Limited mass appeal
- Some repetitive sequences
- Unnecessary slow-motion hero elevation shots
Analysis
Telusu Kada reflects the evolving nature of modern relationships. Neeraja Kona handles this relatable yet contemporary theme well, creating an engaging romantic drama with authenticity. While the film resonates strongly with urban audiences, its appeal may be limited among conventional viewers. Notable sequences—Varun and Anjali’s first meeting, the baby shower scene, the playful banter during the ‘baby kick’ moment, and the climax with Annapoornamma—are executed brilliantly. Dialogue writing is generally strong, though certain attempts at humour (particularly involving Annapoornamma) feel forced.
Despite a thin story and some repetitive scenes, Neeraja Kona’s clarity of vision, coupled with the performances of the lead cast, ensures that the film engages viewers reasonably well.
Verdict
Telusu Kada is a fairly engaging romantic drama and marks a confident debut for Neeraja Kona as a writer-director. Siddhu Jonnalagadda manages to break free from the shadow of ‘Tillu,’ and the performances of Raashii Khanna and Srinidhi Shetty enhance the film. However, the contemporary subject and urban-centric appeal may limit its acceptance among the broader Telugu audience.
Bottom Line: Fairly Engaging, Worth a Watch
