On the whole, Sankranthiki Vasthunnam is a fun-filled family entertainer with plenty of laughs. Venky shines in a role tailor-made for him, supported by Aishwarya Rajesh’s relatable charm and Meenakshi Chaudhary’s lively energy. Bheems Ceciroleo’s music adds to the film’s appeal. Although the predictable story, a few illogical moments, a slightly dull second half, and underutilized characters may feel like minor drawbacks, the movie’s overall charm makes up for them. If you’re looking for a joyful and lighthearted film to watch with your family this Sankranthi, Sankranthiki Vasthunnam is the perfect pick.Read at source
Film · 2025 · Telugu · Action
Sankranthiki Vasthunam
Sankranthiki Vasthunam
Satya Akella, a prominent global businessman, arrives in India at the invitation of Telangana Chief Minister Keshava for what is meant to be a strategic business retreat. During a visit to a secluded farmhouse, he is kidnapped by Biju Pandey's gang, who plan to use him as leverage to secure the release of Biju's imprisoned brother, Papa Pandey. However, the unyielding jailer George Antony refuses to free Papa without formal government authorization—something the Chief Minister is unwilling to provide, fearing political fallout. With the situation spiraling, police officer Meenakshi turns to her former lover, YD Raju, a retired encounter specialist known for his unorthodox methods. Now married to Bhagyam and a father of four, living in Rajahmundry, is reluctantly drawn back into action. Suspicious of their history, Bhagyam insists on joining the mission, bringing along her son, her father, and even their household worker, turning a high-stakes rescue into a chaotic family operation. The team infiltrates the prison and engineers a brawl to have Papa Pandey hospitalized, then cleverly manipulates George Antony and his subordinate Manikya Rao to extract him. But their plan derails when Papa accidentally falls off a cliff during a bizarre altercation with Bhagyam and is ultimately killed in a freak accident. Forced to improvise, Raju disguises Papa's corpse and puppeteers it to deceive Biju Pandey, while tensions flare between Bhagyam and Meenakshi.
- Director
- Anil Ravipudi
- Release
- 14 Jan 2025
- Run time
- 144 min
- Language
- Telugu
Cast & crew
Reviews
Indian-media reviews, grouped by reception.
Mixed
Across 4 available source-linked Indian-media reviews for Sankranthiki Vasthunam, reception is mixed. The 2 scored reviews average 60/100.
IMDb is a reference rating and is not counted as an Indian-media review.Best forViewers looking for action and comedy in Telugu cinema.
All 4 reviews shown
However, the runtime feels excessive, and Sarvadaman Banerjee’s segment after the extended action scene seems unnecessary. The inclusion of a moral message in a film that openly disregards logic feels misplaced. Overall, Sankranthiki Vasthunam is designed for festive viewing, as promoted by its makers. It unapologetically focuses on entertainment rather than plot or logic. Venkatesh’s impeccable comic timing, Ravipudi’s lighthearted narrative, and Bheems’ catchy soundtrack are its highlights. While not as enjoyable as F2, and despite a second half weighed down by forced elements, the film is still a worthwhile watch for the Sankranthi season. Bottom Line: Fine Festival StuffRead at source
While the film has its loud moments, when experienced in a packed theater with the masses, they come across as enjoyable. The storyline is simple and doesn’t have major twists or turns, as Anil Ravipudi focuses primarily on delivering comedy. However, some might feel that certain characters are underutilized despite the strong cast. Adding better arcs to these characters could have enhanced the narrative.Read at source
The film’s first half is a testament to Ravipudi’s ability to entertain with comedy-driven sequences and relatable family dynamics. Bulliraju’s (Venkatesh) hilarious one-liners and the chemistry between Raju and his wife form the backbone of this section, with Aishwarya Rajesh stealing the spotlight with her natural, impactful performance. The integration of her character into the mission proceedings in the second half is a notable highlight, showcasing well-handled writing and direction. However, while the writing shines in certain portions, it falters in others, particularly in the second half. The narrative loses momentum as it leans heavily on formulaic tropes and forced comedic subplots involving Upendra Limaye, Naresh, and VTV Ganesh. These tracks, while amusing in parts, feel repetitive and disrupt the story’s flow.Read at source
Media & trailers
Source-linked video records attached to this title.
Details
Soundtrack
Technical specs
- Release date
- 14 Jan 2025
- Run time
- 144 min
- Language
- Telugu
- Country
- IN
- Director
- Anil Ravipudi
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