A few years ago, Nara Rohit, who was once the go-to actor for concept-oriented films and comedy entertainers, was left behind in the race due to a series of flops. After 2019, he took a long break from films, staying away for almost five years. His comeback film, Sundarakanda, finally hit the screens on the occasion of Vinayaka Chaturthi. So, has the film managed to impress the audience? Let’s find out..!
Sundarakanda Story: Siddharth (Nara Rohit) is on the lookout for five qualities in the girl he wishes to marry. After several failed attempts and even reaching the stage of dyeing his hair, he finally meets Ira (Vrithi Vaghani), who is much younger than him, and decides she is the one. Just when things seem to fall into place, Vaishnavi (Sridevi Vijaykumar), his senior and childhood crush, re-enters his life, complicating matters. Who exactly is Vaishnavi, and how does she become a hurdle in Siddharth’s marriage? The answers unfold in Sundarakanda.
Performances: Nara Rohit once again impresses with a settled performance. His strength lies in emotional scenes, which he delivers well. However, in action sequences, his body language feels a bit stiff, and he could appear more agile to connect better with younger audiences.
Vrithi Vaghani, known for her child-artist days on television, shines as the female lead. She brings innocence and charm, with good dialogue delivery, expressions, and emotional depth. Sridevi Vijaykumar looks stunning on screen and handles her role with maturity. This film serves as a strong comeback for her, showing she can go beyond motherly or supporting roles.
Satya steals the show with his impeccable comic timing, making the audience laugh out loud. Supporting actors like Sunaina, Naresh, Abhinav Gomatam, Rupa Lakshmi, and Vasuki Anand contribute well to the narrative.
Technical Aspects: Pradish Varma’s cinematography is neat, though the DI work could have been more consistent. At times, the frames appear overly bright or dull. A little more effort from the production side here would have elevated the visuals. Leon James’s music is decent, though the tunes feel somewhat familiar. However, the songs are well-shot as montages, making them engaging on-screen without breaking the flow.
Analysis: Director Venkatesh Nimmalapudi deserves praise for handling a daring subject with such sensitivity. His sensible storytelling and clean humor make the film stand out. Though similar concepts have been explored in Western cinema, executing it so effectively in Telugu is commendable. With proper planning, Venkatesh has the potential to become a director like SV Krishna Reddy.
Clean and concept-driven films have become rare in Telugu cinema, where thrillers, action, or over-the-top dramas dominate. Sundarakanda arrives as a refreshing, sensible, and clean comedy entertainer. This style of cinema is often seen in Malayalam or Marathi films, but here, the director’s neat handling, Nara Rohit’s performance, and Satya’s comedy timing stand out.
The production values are rich, and despite a few minor flaws, the makers ensured the film looks polished. Comedy, in particular, covers up the shortcomings. The twist in the story and its closure are particularly satisfying.
Verdict: Overall, after a long time, Telugu audiences get a wholesome family entertainer, and Sundarakanda successfully fills that gap, making this film a decent watch this weekend
Bottom Line: Clean comedy
Sundarakanda Rating: 3/5
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