“Sundarakanda Review: A Light-Hearted Romance Anchored by a Clever Twist”
Sarkar Rating:3/5 Release Date: August 27, 2025
Cast
Nara Rohith, Sridevi Vijay Kumar, Vriti Vaghani, Naresh Vijaya Krishna, Vasuki Anand, Satya, Abhinav Gomatham, and others
Crew
Music: Leon James
DOP: Pradeesh M Varma
Editor: Rohan Chillale
Production Designer: Rajesh Pentakota
Producers: Santhosh Chinnapolla, Gowtham Reddy, Rakesh Mahankalli
Written and Directed by: Venkatesh Nimmalapudi
Story
Siddharth Pinnamaneni (Nara Rohith) is well past the conventional age for marriage but remains single by choice. His romantic past is tinged with regret—during his school days, he fell for his senior, Vaishnavi (Sridevi Vijaykumar), a bond that ended abruptly with his expulsion from school.
Years later, Siddharth is a successful and financially settled professional. However, despite his parents presenting multiple marriage proposals, he continues to turn them down. His reason? He’s waiting for someone who possesses five specific qualities—traits he once admired in Vaishnavi, including being kind-hearted and unaffected by shallow gestures like chocolates.
During a trip to Vizag for a friend’s wedding, Siddharth encounters Aira (Vriti Vaghani), a young college student. He’s immediately drawn to her, sensing the same qualities he’s long been seeking. Eager to get closer, he takes the unusual step of joining her college as a lecturer. As he gets to know her better, he confirms that she indeed possesses all five traits—and eventually proposes.
Aira accepts his love despite the age gap, but her personal baggage remains. With divorced parents, she lives with her mother, who remains protective and skeptical. The final act focuses on whether Siddharth can win over Aira’s mother and prove the sincerity of his love.
Analysis
Sundarakanda marks a notable return for Nara Rohith in a full-fledged lead role, following his political drama Pratinidhi 2. This film attempts to blend romance, comedy, and emotional drama with a unique twist—a concept more commonly explored in Bollywood or Malayalam cinema but relatively fresh for mainstream Telugu audiences.
Debutant director Venkatesh Nimmalapudi structures the film around a mid-point twist, placing heavy emphasis on the interval bang. As a result, the early portions feel somewhat light and meandering. The first 30–40 minutes come across as underwhelming, but once the twist kicks in, the narrative finds its footing and holds the audience’s attention until the pre-climax.
The twist, though somewhat predictable for attentive viewers, is still effectively placed and serves as the film’s main hook. Satya’s comedic timing adds levity, keeping the proceedings entertaining.
The writing has its moments, with some sharp dialogues that stand out. However, the screenplay suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the second half where emotional beats don’t land with the intended depth. The flashback sequences involving Nara Rohith and Sridevi Vijaykumar could have benefitted from more emotional weight. Nevertheless, the film wraps up on a satisfying note, bringing closure to its central conflict.
While the drama lacks consistency, the movie succeeds in delivering a mix of lighter moments and a meaningful message about love and compatibility.
Performances
Nara Rohith makes a strong comeback with a visibly fitter and more stylish avatar. He brings a natural charm to the role of a man navigating late-stage romance with maturity. Sridevi Vijaykumar adds grace and poise to her limited role, while newcomer Vriti Vaghani does a decent job as Aira, despite the heavy lifting her character demands. Satya brings in much-needed comic relief, and Vasuki delivers a grounded performance as Siddharth’s supportive sister.
Technical Aspects
Technically, Sundarakanda sticks to safe, functional filmmaking. The cinematography, editing, and music are competent but don’t strive for standout craft. The focus remains on storytelling rather than technical flourish.
Verdict
Sundarakanda is a light-hearted romantic drama with a central twist that gives it a refreshing edge. Despite its narrative unevenness and emotional undercurrents that could have been explored more deeply, the film entertains through its humor, relatable premise, and strong lead performance.
Watch it for: the unique twist, the comedy, and Nara Rohith’s charming comeback.
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