Zombie Reddy

Story:

Zombie Reddy, a 2021 Telugu-language action zombie comedy film, is directed by Prasanth Varma and features Teja Sajja, Anandhi, and Daksha Nagarkar. Produced by Apple Trees Studios, the movie is promoted as the inaugural zombie film in Telugu cinema. The storyline unfolds in the Kurnool district and draws inspiration from the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially released on February 5, 2021, it later premiered on Aha on March 26, 2021, following its acquisition.

Plot

Mario, a game designer based in Hyderabad, collaborates with his friends Bhadram and Maggie to develop a successful game. However, they encounter a bug causing the game to crash at higher levels. In need of help, Mario reaches out to Kalyan, the programmer, who reveals he’s getting married in Kurnool district. The trio decides to attend the wedding, hoping Kalyan will fix the code.

Kalyan’s father-in-law, Bhooma Reddy, conceals his violent tendencies and weapons until after Kalyan’s marriage to Pushkala. Meanwhile, Nandini Reddy, daughter of Bhooma’s associate Bukka Reddy, also arrives for the wedding. On their journey to Rudravaram, the trio accidentally hits a man on the road, leading to Bhadram getting bitten. As they progress, they encounter Veera Reddy, Bhooma’s rival, attempting to harm them. Despite warnings, Kalyan dismisses Mario’s concerns.

Bhadram’s condition deteriorates, turning him into a zombie and initiating a virus spread. Bhooma Reddy and his men investigate, while Mario’s attempts to prevent Kalyan’s marriage are thwarted by Nandini. Witnessing Veera Reddy’s men kidnapping Kalyan, Mario, Nandini, Maggie, and Kasi Reddy lock themselves in a house to escape zombies.

In a bid to rescue Kalyan, they discover Nandini is actually Sailaja Reddy, Veera Reddy’s daughter working as a spy. The group manages to escape with Kalyan, with Veera Reddy and Sailaja in pursuit. Sailaja, grieving her father’s fate, allies with Mario. During the fight, Kasi is trapped, and Maggie is bitten. A devastated Mario flees.

Recalling Bhadram’s initial encounter with the old man, Mario confronts him. They discover the original zombie in a hidden lab, where the old man, a disgraced virologist, reveals the virus’s origin. The caged zombie escapes, killing the old man. Bhooma Reddy rescues the group, and Mario glimpses the cure’s location near a temple symbol.

On their way to the temple, Sailaja realizes she’s scratched by the zombie. Despite her protests, Mario brings her inside. While searching for the symbol, they encounter a seemingly alive Veera Reddy. Eventually, Bhooma Reddy and Veera Reddy set aside their enmity to face the zombie threat while the others continue their search.

As Sailaja transforms into a zombie, Mario discovers the cure in the water falling from the Shiva Lingam, near the symbol. To lead the zombies away, Mario blows a conch and jumps into a pond fed by the same water, curing the zombies. Hailed as a hero, Mario stops the virus, and both families joyfully reunite with a cured Maggie and Bhadram.