Telusu Kada Review: Style Over Substance
Sarkar Rating: 2.25/5 Release Date : Oct 17, 2025
Cast
Siddhu Jonnalagadda,Raashii Khanna,Srinidhi Shetty,Harsha Chemudu & Others
Crew
Written & Directed by: Neerraja Kona
Producers: TG Vishwa Prasad, Krithi Prasad
Music: Thaman S
Director of Photography: Gnana Shekar VS
Editor: Navin Nooli
Story
Telusu Kada follows the life and emotional journey of Varun (Siddhu Jonnalagadda), a man navigating love, ambition, and self-discovery. After a painful breakup, Varun marries and attempts to move forward with his life. However, things take a complicated turn when his ex-girlfriend (Srinidhi Shetty) re-enters the picture, creating emotional turbulence between him, his wife (Raashii Khanna), and his past.
The story explores whether Varun can truly achieve the “perfect” life he’s always dreamed of—or if his emotional baggage will pull him back.
Performances
Siddhu Jonnalagadda shines as Varun and holds the film together with his commanding screen presence. From the opening scene, his attitude and effortless charisma give the character an edge. His look, styling, and delivery are sharp, and he handles the heavier emotional beats convincingly. Siddhu’s energy and nuanced performance make even the weaker moments engaging.
Raashii Khanna delivers a composed and graceful performance, though her character is underwritten. She plays her part neatly but doesn’t get a defining emotional scene to make a lasting impact. Srinidhi Shetty fares similarly—pleasant on screen and sincere in her role, but her character lacks depth or memorable moments once the credits roll.
Analysis
Neeraja Kona, known for her stylish sensibilities, makes her directorial debut with Telusu Kada. She opts for a simple, relationship-driven story elevated by a touch of modern attitude and visual flair. The idea is promising—a layered look at relationships and emotional choices—but the execution remains surface-level.
The film starts well. The setup efficiently introduces Varun, his personality, breakup, marriage, and present-day life. The writing is crisp, and the dialogues carry Siddhu’s trademark wit, ensuring the first half moves briskly. However, the emotional beats often feel staged rather than organic.
For instance, the reason behind Raga (Srinidhi Shetty) staying at Varun’s home plays out predictably, showcasing how the screenplay relies too heavily on familiar tropes. Despite a few well-placed songs and some charming dialogue, the first half feels more like a setup than an immersive emotional journey.
The second half introduces the central conflict early on—Raashii’s character makes a big decision that should have carried emotional weight but instead feels abrupt and unconvincing. The tension between the trio—husband, wife, and ex—never fully translates into genuine emotion. Conversations that should have burned with depth feel distant and mechanical.
Attempts at humor, like the home function sequence, further disrupt the tone, making the film feel tonally uneven. Even the climax, which should deliver catharsis as Varun finds his dream family life, lands flat due to underdeveloped writing.
Neeraja Kona’s vision is clear—she wants to explore modern relationships with style and sensitivity—but her lack of directorial experience shows in the emotional handling. The result is a visually pleasing film that looks good on paper but doesn’t emotionally connect.
Supporting Cast
Harsha Chemudu gets one of his better roles here. For once, a filmmaker uses his natural charm and comic timing without turning him into a caricature. His scenes add life and lightness to the film, and his presence gives the story occasional warmth. Credit to the writers for giving him meaningful space rather than just comic relief.
Technical Aspects
Thaman’s music works well in parts. A couple of tracks in the first half stand out—catchy, well-placed, and visually appealing. His background score complements the moody tone of the narrative, subtle yet effective. Those expecting his usual mass-style BGM might be surprised, but his restraint works in the film’s favor.
Cinematographer Gnana Shekar lends Telusu Kada a classy, polished look. Every frame feels carefully styled and aesthetically balanced. The production values from People Media Factory are solid, reflecting quality and care in presentation.
Verdict
Telusu Kada is a visually appealing relationship drama that struggles to go beyond its glossy surface. Siddhu Jonnalagadda’s performance and attitude hold your attention, but the emotional core feels undercooked. Neeraja Kona’s debut shows promise in style and presentation but needs stronger writing to truly connect.