Nara Rohith, Sri Devi Vijaykumar, and Vriti Vaghani’s Sundarakanda, directed by Venkatesh Nimmalapudi, arrived in theatres this Wednesday.
With music by Leon James, visuals by Pradeesh M Varma, and crisp editing from Rohan Chillale, the film attempts to blend quirky romance with emotional drama-but only partly succeeds.
Sundarakanda Story
Siddharth (Nara Rohith) has everything in life except a partner. His refusal to marry stems from his obsession with finding a woman who ticks off the five qualities he demands. Things change when he meets Aira (Vriti Vaghani), a college girl who intrigues him enough to travel to Vizag in pursuit. Aira eventually accepts his proposal despite their age difference, but soon after, shocking revelations about Siddharth’s past and the mysterious Vaishnavi (Sri Devi Vijaykumar) come to light. What unfolds is a mix of romance, drama, and self-discovery.
What Works In Sundarakanda
The film’s core idea-an unusual checklist for love-is offbeat, even a little strange, yet the director narrates it in a fairly convincing manner. The comedy portions work well, thanks largely to Satya, whose impeccable timing lifts the lighter moments. The first half, with its breezy tone, provides some entertainment and a handful of clean, family-friendly laughs.
What Doesn’t In Sundarakanda
The trouble begins when the story moves into its emotional and romantic segments. The narrative slips into routine territory, echoing countless rom-coms we’ve seen before. Predictable twists, dragged-out fights, and songs that feel more like interruptions than enhancements dilute the impact. The film had potential to stand out but falters in execution, often leaving the viewer with a sense of dejÀ vu.
Performances
Nara Rohith delivers a composed act, while Vriti Vaghani makes a decent impression as Aira. Sri Devi Vijaykumar’s presence adds weight to the drama. However, it’s Satya who emerges as the clear show stealer, carrying several scenes on his shoulders with effortless humor.
Verdict
Sundarakanda is neither groundbreaking nor unbearable. It’s a clean, partly entertaining rom-com that works best in its comedic bits but struggles with routine storytelling in the emotional arcs. In the end, it’s an okay time-pass watch if you don’t go in expecting much freshness.
What Netizens Say? Find Out
Raghu Rohit: #Sundarakanda is a nice entertainer Though there are some predictable moments, it manages to engage with a good mix of drama and comedy.
The lead pair delivers good performances.
#Satya is a show stealer, #Naresh and #AbhinavGoutham comedy works out well, @IamRohithNara
BA Raju’ Team: Block Buster Written All Over It !!
#SundaraKandaReview – 3.5/5
First Half:
#Sundarakanda
Interesting Premise & Conflict where Hero keeps searching for a girl with 5 Qualities.
Satya Comedy and Love track are enjoyable with
Interval twist fueling interest for 2nd half.
2nd half:
#Sundarakanda
Conflict handling & Satya’s comedy guarantees laughs throughout.
Abhinav Gomatam takes limited screen space.
Newcomer Venkatesh Nimmalapudi stands out with strong writing and neat execution keeping the drama and entertainment balanced.
Leon James has done a decent job & Cinematography is good.
Strong potential to pull the audience to theatres after the dull phase.
Panipuri: #Sundarakanda – “DECENT ”
Positives:
#NaraRohit delivers a solid performance
Satya’s comedy lands well
Interval twist keeps you hooked
Engaging writing & direction
Negatives:
Thin storyline limits the impact
Fukkard: #Sundarakanda –
It’s a routine template film which offers a little humour. After a passable first half, the second half completely drags and feels lifeless. It comes across as an outdated project given a fresh coat of paint.
Apart from comedian Satya’s scenes, the film is dull and exhausting to watch on the big screen.
TBO_Updates: #Sundarakanda Review – a clean entertainer that blends drama and comedy in the right mix.
First Half: Engaging with a decent setup, Satya’s comedy clicks big time, and the interval twist works as a highlight. The lead pair deliver natural performances,
Second Half: Carries forward with a good balance of drama and humor. Though a few sequences feel predictable, the film manages to stay entertaining with strong performances and engaging narration.
Verdict: A clean, watchable entertainer backed by solid performances and enjoyable comedy.✅