Movie: Hey Balwanth
Rating: 2.75/5
Banner: Trishul Visionary Studios
Cast: Suhas, Shivani Nagaram, VK Naresh, Sudarshan, Harsha Vardhan, Vennela Kishore, Annapurnamma, Ajay Ghosh, Babu Mohan, Sravanthi Chokarapu and others
Dialogue: Midhun Shankar Reddy
Music: Vivek Sagar
DOP: Mahi Reddy Pandugula
Editor: Viplav Nyshadam
Art: A.Ram Kumaar
Producers: B. Narendra Reddy
Written and Directed by: Gopi Atchara
Release Date: Feb 20, 2026
Suhas recently went through a low phase with a string of flops. However, this film has generated considerable buzz thanks to its aggressive promotions and the intrigue built around the mysterious business run by V. K. Naresh’s character in the story.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s working in its favour.
Story:
The story is set in Guntur. Krishna (Suhas) falls in love with Mithra (Shivani), an idealistic young woman determined to serve society through her NGO. While Mithra is driven by purpose, Krishna has only one ambition in life: to take over and expand his father’s business.
However, he has no real idea what his father (VK Naresh) actually does. When Krishna discovers that his father runs a lodge that operates as a front for prostitution, his world comes crashing down. Disillusioned and heartbroken, he begins to resent and distance himself from his father.
Complications arise when Mithra’s grandfather lands at the same lodge. From that moment, Krishna and Mithra’s relationship take dramatic and unforeseen turns.
Artistes’ Performances:
Suhas delivers a neat performance. But there are standout moments from his performance. Shivani Nagaram is impressive as a girl from an orthodox family, portraying her role with sincerity and grace. The real scene-stealer, however, is VK Naresh. Though he doesn’t get much screen time in the first half, the entire second half rides on his shoulders, and he once again proves his mettle with a standout act.
Vennela Kishore provides a few genuine laughs, while Sudarshan’s jokes work in parts. Ajay Ghosh generates humor with his straight-faced seriousness, and Annapurnamma does a neat job in her role. Sravanthi Chokrapu, playing Champa, also makes an impression.
Technical Excellence:
The songs composed by Vivek Sagar fail to make an impact and don’t add much value to the narrative. The cinematography and production design are decent, especially considering the film’s modest budget.
However, the film would have benefited from sharper editing to make it more engaging. On the positive side, the dialogue writing stands out.
Highlights:
VK Naresh’s character and his performance
Comedy portions built around the business angle
Twist and portions at Ghosh’s house
Drawback:
The final half hour
The justification given to Naresh’s business
The central idea may not appeal to all
Analysis
“Hey Balwanth” was initially titled “Hey Bhagawan,” but the CBFC asked the makers to change it. The controversy around the title and the buzz created during promotions about Naresh’s character and his business generated considerable curiosity. The film’s central conflict also revolves around the nature of his profession.
Naresh hides his real occupation from his son to protect him from social stigma. Forced into this line of work since childhood, he simply tells his son that he runs a “business.” This secret forms the backbone of the narrative and effectively drives the drama in Suhas’s character arc as well as his love story. The suspense around the hidden profession keeps the narrative engaging up to the reveal.
However, once the truth comes out, the impact is awkward rather than powerful. The drama leading up to the interval twist has its share of highs and lows. Some comedy portions land well, while the extended lodge sequences feel overstretched and occasionally tedious.
The film regains momentum with the twist involving the heroine’s grandfather and the subsequent drama at Ajay Ghosh’s house. When the families shift there, the situational comedy reminds one of the entertaining portions of “Ready.” These scenes work effectively and generate genuine laughs.
The director, however, does not settle for a straightforward comedy. He attempts to shape the film into an emotional father and son drama. In doing so, he tries to justify Naresh’s character and his business. Emotional backstories, sympathetic portrayals of the women in the lodge, a police officer praising Naresh’s goodness, and the sentimental reconciliation between father and son turn the narrative into forced melodrama. This stretch fails to resonate and feels uncomfortable in parts.
Overall, Hey Balwanth offers several genuinely funny moments and engaging portions, except the final half hour. If you set logic aside and watch it purely as a light entertainer built around situational comedy, it manages to keep you amused. The humour lands well for the most part, but the core idea and the way it is handled may evoke mixed reactions. That said, the film never feels boring or tiresome; it works as a breezy, time-pass weekend watch that promises a fair share of laughs.
Bottom-line: "Sounds Interesting"
