Quick Take: Telusu Kada is a heartfelt attempt to explore complexities of modern love. But uneven writing let’s it down.
Telusu Kada marks the directorial debut of stylist Neeraja Kona. Featuring Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Raashii Khanna, and Srinidhi Shetty in the lead roles, the film tackles the sensitive and rarely explored concept of surrogacy in Telugu cinema. While several Bollywood films have touched upon the theme, Telusu Kada feels fresh in the Telugu space and manages to impress, if only in parts. From the promos, the makers made it clear that the film is not a regular love triangle story, but there’s more than what meets the eye. The makers had hinted at a hidden emotional layer, and the film delivers that surprise to some extent.
The plot follows Varun (Siddhu Jonnalagadda), an orphan who yearns for the warmth of a family. But a heart break with Raaga (Srinidhi Shetty) leaves him pensive and emotionally armoured. He moves on and marries Anjali (Raashii Khanna). But life takes an unexpected turn when Varun learns that he cannot father children. Refusing to give up hope, Anjali chooses surrogacy and approaches Dr. Raaga (Srinidhi Shetty) for help, unaware that she happens to be Varun’s ex-girlfriend. His past returns in her form, and the story explores how the complicated emotional triangle unfolds and turns into a tug-of-war between love, ego and gender dynamics.
In today’s times, many relationships fail because people often lack the patience and emotional strength to handle conflicts. Rather than having tough conversations, breakups and divorces are seen as easier ways out. Director Neeraja Kona takes this very relatable theme and weaves it into an urban setting, creating a film that mirrors the emotional dilemmas of modern-day couples. She takes on an emotionally complex story and wraps it in a pleasing world. Through Varun, Anjali, and Raaga, she explores love, trust, insecurity, and the blurred lines between closure and rediscovery. Telusu Kada is like a breath of fresh air in its treatment of relationships, exploring how love can coexist with gaslighting, and how self-protection sometimes masquerades as wisdom.
Siddhu Jonnalagadda sheds his “Tillu” image with a refreshingly restrained performance. He plays Varun with honesty, balancing his emotional confusion and vulnerability with conviction. His character easily could have come off as negative, but Siddhu’s nuanced acting ensures the audience stays empathetic towards him. The actor’s ability to change gears and shift moods without breaking the tone reflects the depth in his character.
Raashii Khanna, making a comeback to Telugu cinema after a gap, gets one of the most emotionally layered roles of her career. She shines as Anjali, a woman caught between heartbreak, hope, and helplessness. Her emotional breakdowns and quiet strength elevate the film’s second half. Srinidhi Shetty, on the other hand, gets a meaty role but her character arc feels underdeveloped in the later part of the film. With better clarity in writing, her track could have made a stronger emotional impact.
The film revolves around just four main characters and is set largely in one location. Yet, Neeraja Kona’s writing and the chemistry between the actors keeps the narrative fairly engaging. Her direction is subtle, relying more on emotions and dialogues than melodrama or spectacle. The writing, though uneven, is honest and grounded.
The director should have fleshed out the second half more carefully and without confusions. Although emotionally charged, it falters in pace. The writing leans on convenience, and the story loses its rhythm, softening the impact of its central conflict. The film is a heartfelt attempt to explore the complexities of modern love.
Telusu Kada suffers from uneven pacing. Eventually, the uninspired screenplay and flat writing play spoilsport. The narrative lacks clarity to hold the interest of the audiences, especially the second half as it features many illogical and contradictory dialogues and scenes. For instance, when Varun and Anjali are trying for pregnancy, why were they worrying about condoms? Dialogues like ‘testosterone scoring over estrogen’ may be bold but fails to emotionally connect with the audiences. In another instance, the Deenamma Jeevitham song thread and the Seemantham episode, where Siddhu is mocked for his “weak potency” are in bad taste and also don’t gel with the rest of the narrative. Director Neeraja Kona places too much focus on pregnancy and childbirth sequences rather than tender romance at hand.
On the technical front, Thaman’s music adds vibrancy. The film benefits from a couple of catchy songs and a soothing background score that complements the emotional beats. The cinematography is clean and stylish, matching the film’s urban tone. Some dialogues might be relatable for the younger audience, but they aren’t really memorable.
Overall, Telusu Kada is a refreshing attempt at telling a modern love story rooted in realism. It has its flaws in writing and direction, particularly in its pacing and clarity in the second half. It has a promising start but loses its way by the end. If you are fan of love stories, then this film could prove to be a decent watch.
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