Young actor Tejus Kancherla, who captivated audiences with his performance in Hushaaru, is back to entertain with his latest film Uruku Patela. Directed by Vivek Reddy, the film hit theaters on September 7, 2024, as a special Vinayaka Chavithi release. Let’s see how well it manages to engage moviegoers.
Story: Uruku Patela centers around a young man who becomes entangled in a web of love and betrayal, as the woman he loves secretly plots to have him killed. Patela (Tejus Kancherla), a carefree young man living in a village in Telangana, dreams of marrying an educated girl, but for some reason, the women he pursues consistently reject him. Amidst this, he meets the beautiful Dr. Aksha (Khushboo Choudhary) and is determined to win her over, Patela is hit with a shocking revelation that turns his world upside down. What is that twist and how did he come out is the basic story.
Performances: Tejas Kancharla shines as the charismatic lead in Uruku Patela, exuding confident swag as a Telangana youth. He navigates both low-energy and intense scenes with ease, showcasing strong acting, especially post-interval. Khushboo Chaudhary makes a striking Telugu debut, impressing with her beauty and acting. However, Chammak Chandra’s comedy feels excessive. Ananda Chakrapani takes on a refreshing new role, while Goparaju Ramana effectively portrays the hero’s father.
Technical Aspects: Praveen Lakkaraju’s music is passable but forgettable, while the production values are underwhelming. The sluggish screenplay, particularly in the second half, calls for tighter editing to maintain pace and energy. Vivek Reddy’s narrative weaves together elements of love, father-son dynamics, twists, and humor, with a well-chosen cast. However, the writing and direction lack the punch needed to make the scenes truly engaging.
Analysis: Uruku Patela is directed by Vivek Reddy and it mixes entertaining and thrilling elements, centering on an uneducated protagonist trying to win over an educated girl. While this trope has been seen in many older films and feels outdated, the director manages to inject some intrigue with the pre-interval twist, raising expectations for the second half.
Unfortunately, the momentum soon fizzles out as the plot becomes increasingly predictable. It seems as though Reddy was uncertain whether to steer the film toward comedy or lean into its thriller aspects, and this indecision affects the pacing and screenplay.
Uruku Patela hinges on two pivotal twists one before the interval and another near the climax. However, the scenes in between lack the depth and intensity needed to keep the audience fully engaged. While a few moments in the second half stand out, the overall impact is weakened by the lack of focus and inconsistent tone.
Verdict: Overall Uruku Patela has a few thrills that have been executed decently. But to enjoy these one has to go through a lethargic mid portions which are dull. Tejas does well as the main lead but the narrative could have been a lot better.
Bottom Line: Misses the target
Rating: 2/5
