Telusu Kada review: A Messy, Meandering Film That Goes Nowhere
Review by Kausalya Rachavelpula
Every now and then, a film comes along with a big promotional push, loud promises, and an even louder trailer. Expectations rise, fans get curious, and conversations begin. Telusu Kada was one of those films. Its press meets, teasers and dramatic trailer suggested something intense and character-driven, almost as if the makers were trying to capture the stormy energy of its films. But what unfolds on screen is not intensity , but the lag.
For nearly three hours, Telusu Kada stumbles between poorly written character arcs, scenes that drag on endlessly, and a screenplay that doesn’t seem to know where it’s going. Instead of cinematic depth, we get daily serial pacing. Instead of powerful writing, we get loud monologues and hormone references that make you question why you’re still watching.
A confused protagonist without a core
The film’s central character, Varun, is clearly intended to be one of those deeply flawed, emotionally volatile male leads , the kind that fuels heated debates, much like the leads in and . But there’s a crucial difference. Those films, for all their problems, created characters with focus and conviction. Varun, on the other hand, feels like a man written by five different people who never compared notes.
He lies, confesses, blames, pities, loves, hates , all in the same breath , and none of it adds up. His decisions feel random rather than driven by emotion or logic. You don’t root for him, you don’t hate him, and worst of all, you don’t care. When a film’s lead fails to hold the audience’s attention, everything else starts to crumble around him.
When writing becomes a television serial
The biggest issue with Telusu Kada is its writing. It tries to dress itself up as bold and edgy, but the dialogues sound juvenile and forced. The now-infamous hormone conversations, which were perhaps meant to sound clever and philosophical, land with an awkward thud. It’s the cinematic equivalent of someone trying too hard to sound smart at a party and ending up embarrassing themselves.
Scene after scene stretches beyond reason. Time moves, but the story doesn’t. Characters talk in circles, the same emotions are repeated, and the film begins to feel like a late-night serial playing on a loop. It’s frustrating because you can almost see the ambition buried somewhere underneath , it just never makes its way to the screen.
A lone bright spot in a sea of chaos
If there’s one thing that prevents Telusu Kada from being a total disaster, it’s ’s performance. He brings genuine sincerity to the role, even when the writing gives him very little to work with. His expressions, timing, and natural ease are a reminder that good actors can elevate weak material , at least a little.
It’s disappointing, however, to see talents like and reduced to props in a film that barely explores their characters. They deserved more , and so did the audience.
When a film has no spine
One of the most unintentionally revealing moments in the film comes towards the end. A question is asked, and the answer is, “Because it’s scripted.” It’s meant as a line of dialogue, but it might as well be a confession from the makers. Nothing in this film feels organic. Every action, every emotion, every plot twist exists only because the script says so, not because it makes sense for the characters.
The attempt to imitate the emotional intensity of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s storytelling ends up exposing just how hard it is to create such worlds without a strong vision behind them. Style without substance can only carry a film so far , and here, it collapses almost immediately.
Telusu Kada review: Verdict
Telusu Kada is not the worst film you’ll ever see, but it might be one of the most exhausting. It doesn’t shock you or challenge you. Instead, it slowly drains your patience scene by scene, line by line, until you’re left checking the time and wondering how much longer it can possibly go on.
A confused script, aimless characters, and serial-like pacing make Telusu Kada a painfully dull experience. Siddhu Jonnalagadda gives it his all, but even he can’t save this trainwreck.
Telusu Kada review Fridaywall Rating: 1/5
