Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
‘Sankranthiki Vasthunam’ movie review: Anil Ravipudi and Venkatesh’s film delivers mindless laughs

‘Sankranthiki Vasthunam’ movie review: Anil Ravipudi and Venkatesh’s film delivers mindless laughs

The Hindu
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 8:38 AM GMT

Sankranthiki Vasthunam is a light-hearted Telugu film with colorful visuals, catchy songs, and Venkatesh's comedic charm.

A character named Bulli Raju, played by child actor Revanth, mouths expletives that send grown-ups into a tizzy. We hear some of these words while the rest is masked by the background score. A section of the audience may wonder why the filmmaker makes a boy say things beyond his age. The very next minute, writer-director Anil Ravipudi’s Telugu film Sankranthiki Vasthunam reasons that the young mind has been corrupted by an overdose of content on digital platforms! Bulli Raju’s antics in an early scene bring the house down and set the tone for the film. Teaming up with Venkatesh Daggubati for the third time, after the farcical comedies F2 and F3, Anil is aware that all his target audiences want are a few good laughs. Logical reasoning and political correctness can take a backseat. Within that framework, the film delivers several laughs.

Sankranthiki Vasthunam keeps things simple and fun, laced occasionally with observations about oft-repeated tropes and the changing trends in mainstream Telugu cinema. A few decades ago, it was not too uncommon to see films woven around a male protagonist, his wife, and a girlfriend. The drama surrounding former police officer YD Raju (Venkatesh, nicknamed by his colleagues as Yama Dharma Raju), police officer and his former girlfriend Meenakshi (Meenakshi Chaudhary) and his wife Bhagyalakshmi (Aishwarya Rajesh) is a throwback to that era. There is also a reference to Venkatesh’s earlier film Intlo Illalu Vantintlo Priyuralu.

The stage for this aspect of the drama is set, in a hilarious manner, with Raju invoking Godly references. The laughs that follow through the film, involving the women, are silly and border on farce. Venkatesh, Meenakshi, and Aishwarya go with the flow as the narrative does not hold back the fun. Venkatesh’s monologue in the final portions takes the cake. In another film, if this monologue had been delivered on a serious note, it would have earned the wrath of women. The makers of this film know that their narrative will not be taken seriously.

This is a film in which the crime element, involving a kidnap drama, is also dealt with in a light-hearted manner. It is a familiar template. A high profile personality is kidnapped, a rescue operation begins, a convict is demanded as ransom... you get the drift. It is no surprise that YD Raju is summoned for the job. Several others enter the mix, including Raju’s possessive and suspicious wife and the volatile son, Bulli Raju. The film also introduces a few other oddball characters. Look out for Upendra Limaye as the jailer and Sai Kumar as an officer who has to deal with his egoistic overtures.

Visually, Sankranthiki Vasthunam is a riot of colours in tune with Sankranti festivities in the districts of Andhra Pradesh. Where it falters is an extended action sequence in which it is easy to spot that the team has filmed in the backdrop of a green screen and later relied on visual effects. However, the outrageous turn of events ensures that the audience’s attention remains on the fun element.

Bheems Cecerolio’s catchy songs, ‘Godari Gattu’ in particular, work to the advantage of the film. In a few sequences, the score is reminiscent of Anirudh Ravichander’s work. Perhaps it was intentional since one of the final action sequences is designed like a hat tip to Venkatesh’s cop action dramas. It is as though Venkatesh, aided by Anil Ravipudi, makes a point that he has had his share of action dramas, which have been dominating Indian cinema of late.

It is appreciable that the narrative addresses the age gap between Venkatesh and the female leads. The film does not make him invincible. There are references to the character’s lack of fitness, creaking muscles, and bones after he left the police force. Pop culture references, from Pushpa’s ‘jhukega nahi’ to Kalki’s ‘repati kosam’, add to the fun.

Read full story on The Hindu
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Political row brews over Bakrid holiday in Kerala

Kerala government's Bakrid holiday change sparks political controversy, accused of communal agenda by IUML, opposition criticism ensues.

Former Bengaluru top cop slams Karnataka government for Dayananda’s suspension

Former IPS officer Bhaskar Rao criticizes Karnataka government for suspending police commissioner after fatal stampede at IPL celebration.

Karnataka Cabinet condoles death of 11 in stampede at RCB victory celebrations in Bengaluru

CM listened to views of ministers on the tragedy, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil told reporters.

Fact-finding committee of Congress to submit interim report on unrest in coastal Karnataka next week

The committee held extensive discussions and deliberations with a host of people and organisations to know the reasons and solutions for the unrest.

Man shot dead near shopping mall in Haryana's Pinjore

Man shot dead, accomplice injured in armed attack near Pinjore shopping mall; police investigating.

Satyendar Jain appears before ACB for questioning in classroom construction case

Delhi government's ACB summons AAP leaders over alleged graft in school construction, accused of diverting attention from key issues.

New Himalayan bat blurs India-Pakistan divide

New Himalayan bat species discovered in India-Pakistan border region, adding to 135 total Indian bat species.

KSCA officials move High Court, seek quashing of FIR in stampede case

KSCA President and officials approach Karnataka HC seeking to quash FIR in Chinnaswamy stadium stampede case; arrests made in connection.

KSCA officials move High Court, seek quashing of FIR in stampede case

KSCA President and officials approach Karnataka HC seeking to quash FIR in Chinnaswamy stadium stampede case; arrests made in connection.

Telangana Cabinet to meet twice a month to accelerate policy implementation; earlier met once in 2-3 months

Telangana cabinet to convene twice a month for improved governance and timely decision-making, focusing on accountability and efficiency.

Thennala Balakrishna Pillai, veteran Congress leader and former KPCC president, passes away

Thennala Balakrishna Pillai, veteran Congress leader in Kerala, passes away at 95, known for honesty and loyalty to party.

Residents of Bahour want govt. to open mini bus stand and indoor stadium soon

Residents of Bahour await government approval to open a mini bus stand and indoor stadium, despite completed construction.

Rise in repatriation sign of mature market: RBI Governor on moderation in net FDI

Reserve Bank Governor highlights India's strong FDI inflows, robust trade, and resilient external sector in 2024-25.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Madras University professors call for bureaucrat to be appointed registrar

Former officials suggest appointing a bureaucrat as the next registrar at the University of Madras due to financial struggles.

Here’s all you need to know about the newly released films and shows —Thug Life, Stolen, Mountainhead and Tourist Family

Action, drama and everything in between, from Thug Life and Stolen to Mountainhead and Tourist Family

Greater Chennai Corporation mulls online system to tackle road-cut issues faster

Greater Chennai Corporation mulls online system to tackle road-cut issues faster

Ayodhya police bust ₹3.85 crore ‘prasad’ scam carried out during Ram Temple consecration

Ayodhya police uncover ₹3.85 crore cyber scam exploiting devotees with fake Ram Temple prasad website, leading to arrests and refunds.

ED Kolkata arrests two in connection with online betting, gambling racket 

ED arrests two in West Bengal for money laundering, freezing bank accounts in connection to online betting and gambling racket.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rakes up statehood issue, hopes J&K will again be State

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah advocates for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir during the maiden train to Kashmir.

M.K. Alagiri’s supporters seek re-entry into DMK

DMK leader M.K. Stalin visits brother M.K. Alagiri, supporters seek readmission after over a decade, awaiting decision.

MNM chief Kamal Haasan files nomination for Rajya Sabha in presence of CM Stalin

Kamal Haasan files Rajya Sabha nomination in Tamil Nadu with DMK support, amid fanfare for latest film release.

Bengaluru stampede: Opposition says Congress high command should sack Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy claims police were not at fault, and had advised against holding such a big show.

Jan Suraaj Party pitches Prashant Kishor as Bihar’s ‘most popular’ CM pick - a look at its poll strategy Premium

Prashant Kishor challenges Nitish Kumar as CM candidate, aims to build a third alternative in Bihar politics.

SWR revises departure timing of Vijayapura Express from Mangaluru to 4.45 p.m.

The revised timing is expected to benefit pilgrims from Kukke Subrahmanya and Dharmasthala, and also for those travelling from Mangaluru, Bantwal and Puttur towards Hassan, Arsikere, Davangere, Hubballi, Gadag, and Vijayapura.

What Google plans to do about online search antitrust decision | Explained Premium

Google said it will appeal an antitrust decision aimed at making competition in the online search market fair.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us