Movie: Pelli Kaani Prasad
Rating: 1.5/5
Banner: Thama Media, Chaganti Cinematic World
Cast: Sapthagiri, Priyanka Sharma, Muralidhar Goud, Annapurnama, Vadlamani Srinivas, Pramodini, Basha, Laxman Meesala, Rohini, Ramprasad, and others
Story and Screenplay: Akhil Varma, Y.N. lohit
Dialogues: Akhil Varma
Music: Sekhar Chandra
DOP: Sujatha Siddharth
Editor: Madhu
Producers: KY Babu, Bhanu Prakash Goud, Sukka Venkateshwar Goud, Vybhav Reddy Mutyala
Directed by: Abhilash Reddy Gopidi
Release Date: March 21, 2025
After a long break, comedian Sapthagiri returns to a lead role, with the film being distributed by Dil Raju’s company.
Let’s take a look at its strengths and weaknesses
Story:
Priya (Priyanka Sharma) and her family are on the lookout for an NRI groom, as she dreams of settling abroad after marriage. Meanwhile, Prasad (Sapthagiri), who has crossed the typical marriageable age, fears a lifetime of bachelorhood due to his father’s (Muralidhar Gowd) rigid dowry expectations.
Fate intervenes when Prasad and Priya end up getting married. But when Priya learns that Prasad has decided to stay in India instead of returning to Malaysia, will she take it lightly? What challenges will Prasad face in their married life?
Artistes’ Performances:
Having established himself in comedic roles, Sapthagiri shoulders the responsibility of delivering laughs in this film. While his character lacks novelty, he does his best to entertain with his trademark style.
Priyanka Sharma is a complete miscast. Muralidhar Gowd, as Sapthagiri’s father, manages to bring in a few humorous moments, while Vadlmani Srinivas, Pramodini, and Annapurnamma deliver standard, routine performances.
Technical Excellence:
Sekhar Chandra’s music stands out as the only noteworthy aspect among the technical departments. The cinematography is vibrant, especially in the song sequences.
Highlights:
Short runtime
Drawback:
Many comedy scenes are yawn
Predictable and boring moments
Clumsy first half
Analysis
Stories about “Pelli Kani Prasads” - a term popularized by Venkatesh’s character in Malliswari (2004) - often revolve around simple plots that only succeed when backed by strong and genuinely entertaining comedy. Unfortunately, Sapthagiri’s latest outing falls short on both counts.
This film tries to offer a fresh spin on the "Pelli Kaani Prasad" theme by having the heroine trap the hero with the intention of moving abroad. However, the real story kicks in only halfway through, when the couple gets married and the heroine discovers that the hero has no plans of returning to Malaysia.
The first half is packed with supposedly humorous situations that, instead of evoking laughter, test the viewer’s patience. While a few lighthearted moments work post-interval, most of the jokes feel exaggerated, forced, and downright cringe-worthy.
The first half itself feels like a chore, but the climax takes the disappointment to another level - amateurish, meaningless, and filled with unnecessary, foolish twists. At times, Sapthagiri appears to be improvising without a clear script, making scenes feel disjointed and chaotic.
Even pop culture references, such as nods to Arjun Reddy and Kushi, lack originality or wit. The supporting cast - including Vadlami Srinivas, Bhasha, Annapurnamma, and Pramodini - deliver performances that feel more suited to daily soaps than cinema.
While a few meme-inspired one-liners manage to generate some chuckles, the film’s clumsy screenplay and lack of engaging storytelling make it a tedious watch.
A comedy led by a seasoned comedian should do more than deliver the occasional laugh - it should entertain from start to finish. Unfortunately, Pelli Kaani Prasad ends up being a clichéd, humorless, and forgettable experience. Sitting through this two-hour, pointless film feels more like a punishment than entertainment.
Bottom-line: Over the Top
