Appudo Ippudo Eppudo is Nikhil's new film that has Rukmini Vasanth, Divyansha Kaushik, and Viva Harsha in key roles. After being in the making for a very long time, the film was released today. Here is our review.

Story

Rishi (Nikhil Siddhartha) lives in London with his friend, chasing his dream of becoming a racing champion. While there, he crosses paths with Tara (Rukmini Vasanth), who had been the object of his unrequited love back in Hyderabad. In London, the dynamics change, and Tara begins to develop feelings for him. Just as she plans to confess her love, Rishi’s ex-girlfriend, Tulasi (Divyansha Kaushik), unexpectedly shows up, throwing his life into chaos. What follows is a series of events that lead Rishi into a murder investigation. Can Rishi navigate these complications and clear his name?

Analysis

Appudo Ippudo Eppudo, the third collaboration between actor Nikhil Siddharth and director Sudheer Varma, began production during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, internal conflicts within the team led to delays, and the film was put on hold for a while. Recently, the director revived the project and completed it, leading to its release in theaters today and the response has been dull.

Starting with performances, Nikhil delivers his usual charm with solid looks and impeccable timing, but Rishi's character lacks the depth needed for the audience to fully connect with him. Rukmini Vasanth's makeup in the film feels off, somewhat overshadowing her natural beauty, though she shines with her expressive acting and gestures. Divyansha Kaushik is well-cast in a role with a darker side, blending glamour with a touch of intrigue, making her portrayal of Thulasi engaging.

Viva Harsha brings in a welcome dose of humor, especially in the second half, where his comedic timing lands several laughs. John Vijay and Ajay's performances are passable, while Satyadev and Sudarshan’s characters provide the necessary energy to keep the story moving forward.  It doesn’t take much insight to understand why this film was delayed for so long or why it wasn’t promoted more vigorously.

The title itself lacks any real meaning or relevance. The film highlights the consequences of a lackluster writing team and a director who focuses more on technicalities than the core content. The plot is virtually nonexistent, with the scenes feeling more like random ideas jotted down on set, pieced together in a haphazard attempt at storytelling. There is no seriousness in the film and that is clearly on the faces of the stars who sleepwalk through their roles.

Verdict

Overall, Appudo Ippudo Eppudo is a film that suffers from the first scene itself. It does not have much going its way as it is narrated in a very boring and outdated manner. Sudheer Varma needs to make a strong comeback to prove his talent and Nikhil needs to forget this film as soon as possible.