Paradha Movie Review: A Bold Premise That Fails to Engage
Sarkar Rating: 2.5/5 Release Date: August 22, 2025
Cast
Anupama Parameswaran, Darshana Rajendran, Sangitha, Rag Mayur, and others
Crew
Music: Gopi Sundar
DOP: Mridul Sujit Sen
Editor: Dharmendra Kakarala
Art Director: Srinivas Kalinga
Producers: Vijay Donkada, Sreenivasulu PV, Sridhar Makkuva
Director: Praveen Kandregula
Story
The story unfolds in a conservative village in Andhra Pradesh, where locals believe that unmarried girls will be cursed by the village deity, Jwalambika Amma, if they do not cover their faces with a paradha (veil). No woman is allowed to reveal her face to any man outside her immediate family.
Subbalakshmi (Anupama Parameswaran), who lost her mother at a young age, dutifully follows this tradition. Just before her engagement to her lover Rajesh (Rag Mayur), fate intervenes — a photographer unknowingly captures her face when the wind blows away her veil.
The photograph ends up on a magazine cover, and when the villagers see it, chaos erupts. According to custom, any girl who exposes her face must end her life by jumping into a well. Subbu, under pressure, attempts suicide but miraculously survives. Convinced that the deity spared her, she decides to fight back and reclaim her honor.
With the help of her aunt Ratna (Sangitha) and a Delhi-based civil engineer Ami (Darshana Rajendran), Subbu travels all the way to Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, where the photographer resides. Whether Subbu succeeds in her mission and how this journey transforms her life forms the crux of Paradha.
Analysis
Director Praveen Kandregula, known for Cinema Bandi and Subham, sets out to narrate the journeys of three women: one shackled by oppressive customs, another facing workplace chauvinism, and the third trapped in domestic confines. At the center is Subbu, burdened by her village’s bizarre traditions.
The paradha (veil) here is used as a metaphor for patriarchal restrictions, but the problem lies in execution. Unlike the real struggles of Iranian women fighting hijab laws, the fictional paradha system feels contrived and far removed from reality in Andhra or Telangana. The premise comes across as artificial, making it hard for audiences to empathize with Subbu’s plight.
While the film aspires to be a feminist drama, its undertones often feel forced. Instead of delivering an organic, emotionally gripping narrative, the story meanders into bland, uninspired episodes. Weak writing and patchy editing further dilute the impact. Despite drawing comparisons to a road film, it is nowhere near the depth of something like Thelma & Louise.
Performances
- Anupama Parameswaran: Carries the film with sincerity. Her best moments come during confrontations with villagers demanding her punishment, though being veiled for much of the film restricts her performance.
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Sangitha (Ratna): Suits the role of a supportive aunt but isn’t given enough scope.
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Darshana Rajendran: Makes her Telugu debut, but her role turns out underwhelming and lacks emotional weight.
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Rag Mayur: Has a brief presence as Subbu’s fiancé.
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Harsha Vardhan: Adds humor in parts, but the comedy often dips into mediocrity.
Technical Aspects
The film is technically uneven. Cinematography and production design stand out during the jathara (festival) and deity sequences, lending grandeur and authenticity. However, overall execution suffers due to lackluster editing and uninspired staging of key scenes.Verdict
Paradha is a film with a bold and socially relevant premise, but the storytelling fails to do justice to its intent. What could have been a powerful commentary on women’s oppression ends up as a half-baked drama with weak writing and contrived situations.Read Also: Arabia Kadali Review: A Sincere and Grounded Take on a Real-Life Incident
