Movie: Paradha
Rating: 2/5
Banner: Ananda Media
Cast: Anupama Parameswaran, Darshana Rajendran, Sangitha, Rag Mayur, Harsha Vardhan, Rajendra Prasad, Balagam Sudhakar Reddy, and others
Music: Gopi Sundar
DOP: Mridul Sujit Sen
Editor: Dharmendra Kakarala
Art Director: Srinivas Kalinga
Producers: Vijay Donkada, Sreenivasulu PV, Sridhar Makkuva
Director: Praveen Kandregula
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Anupama Parameswaran has poured her efforts into this project, calling it her best performance to date. “Paradha” also marks her first female-centric film in Telugu.
But does her confidence translate on screen?
Story:
In a small village, a custom demands that every unmarried girl cover her face with a paradha (veil) to avoid the curse of the village deity, Jwala Amma. Subbu (Anupama Parameswaran), the daughter of a tailor who makes these veils, abides by the tradition without question.
One day, while sitting in the fields, her veil slips, and a photographer unknowingly captures her face. The photo ends up on the cover of a magazine, and when a villager discovers it, her engagement ceremony comes to an abrupt halt.
Determined to prove that she never willingly revealed her face, Subbu embarks on a journey to find the photographer, who lives in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. She is joined by her supportive aunt (Sangitha) and later by the daughter of her aunt’s friend (Darshana).
What begins as a quest to clear her name turns into a transformative journey that alters the course of their lives forever.
Artistes’ Performances:
Anupama Parameswaran slips into her role with ease. For most of the film, her face remains hidden behind a veil, yet she manages to deliver a competent performance. That said, it falls short of being her career-best, despite her own claims.
Sangitha, as the aunt, is adequate. Malayalam actress Darshana Rajendran, making her Telugu debut, gives a casual act that neither elevates her character nor adds much energy to the proceedings.
Rag Mayur starts off on a decent note, but his abrupt turn into a villain feels unconvincing. Harsha Vardhan provides a few light moments, while ‘Balagam’ Kethiri Sudhakar Reddy is good as Anupama’s father.
Technical Excellence:
The film is clearly made on a limited budget. The female cinematographer captures the rustic village backdrop effectively, but the Himalayan portions lack the visual grandeur they demand, likely due to financial constraints.
The music fails to leave any impact. Both the dialogue and screenplay come across as amateurish, while weak editing makes the film feel unnecessarily long.
On the brighter side, the artwork stands out, particularly in the Jwala Amma sequences and Jathara scenes.
Highlights:
Anupama Parameswaran
Drawback:
Weak writing
Dragged on sequences
Lack of convincing premise
Analysis
We have seen countless films where a journey transforms three male friends, with “Dil Chahta Hai” being the most obvious example. “Paradha” attempts a similar arc but with three women, though the story mainly centers on Anupama Parameswaran’s character. Unfortunately, the core premise falls flat.
It is simply hard to accept that a village in contemporary Andhra Pradesh would practice such an outdated and unbelievable custom. At one point, Rajendra Prasad’s character himself questions whether such traditions exist in Andhra, comparing it to practices in parts of North India.
If an entire village forces its women to wear veils and punishes them with death by jumping into a well for breaking the rule, where are the police and government authorities? Such a far-fetched idea makes it impossible to connect with the film.
Had this story been set in a bygone era, like Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat, which depicted a real custom in the oppressive Mughal period of Rajasthan, it might have carried conviction. But placed in the present day, it feels wholly unconvincing.
That said, the film unfolds in a dull and uninspiring manner.
While the village portions in the middle work to some extent, once the story shifts to North India, where the three women embark on their journey to track down the photographer, the narrative begins to move purely at the director’s convenience.
A faulty mobile phone, roads blocked by landslides, a group of men attempting sexual assault — everything happens like clockwork, but without any believability or emotional weight.
Spoiler alert: when the photographer conveniently sends a video through his phone, it becomes painfully obvious that the writers had no better ideas to conclude the film.
The track involving Sangitha and her husband (Harsha Vardhan) might raise a few chuckles, but the humor is silly and forced. Darshana’s subplot about workplace harassment feels half-baked and poorly integrated into the main drama.
Director Praveen Kandregula had shown better command in his second film “Subham,” which at least offered some genuine entertainment. Here, he is completely out of depth.
Overall, while the effort to craft a female-centric story about three women is acceptable, “Paradha” collapses under the weight of its illogical premise, unconvincing storytelling, and dull narration. Moreover, the film carries an amateurish vibe.
Bottom Line: Unconvincing and Boring
Cold-Pressed Guntur Karam – 100% Pure | Free Shipping on 3kg
