Twitter reviews praise lead actors’ chemistry despite criticism

Itlu Arjuna, a romantic-action thriller starring Aniesh Reddy and Anaswara Rajan, opened in theatres on November 13. The film marks the directorial debut of Mahesh Uppala and features a speech-impaired pickpocket entangled in a criminal conspiracy. The movie generated significant buzz before release but has received mixed responses from viewers since its debut.

Reactions on social media

Twitter users have shared varied opinions on the film’s execution and storytelling. Film critic Pavan Survi expressed disappointment with the pacing, noting that the beats become generic as the story progresses. “A romantic thriller needs romance to work or at least the thrilling factors need to feel like choking,” he wrote. Survi also criticized the director for relying on “old tricks” without providing a cohesive narrative.

Despite the criticism, several viewers highlighted the lead actors’ performances and the film’s central concept. One user described the movie as “a fresh attempt that blends romance, comedy and thriller,” praising the chemistry between Aniesh and Anaswara. Another reviewer gave the film a rating of 3 out of 5, calling it “a silent warrior’s battle for love.” This viewer specifically praised the post-interval twist, the police station sequence, and the final 30 minutes, which they identified as the movie’s biggest strengths.

The story behind the story

The plot follows Arjun, a young man who cannot speak but works as a pickpocket. He is in love with Keerthy, his childhood friend played by Anaswara Rajan. The narrative takes a sharp turn when a robbery involving a stolen pendrive pulls Arjun into the world of a dangerous gangster named Peddhanna. The missing device is linked to a fortune of 1,000 crore rupees, forcing Arjun and Keerthy to confront a high-stakes chase between law enforcement and the criminal network.

Production details

Aniesh Reddy makes his lead role debut in the film, while Anaswara Rajan plays the female lead. The supporting cast includes Mukesh Rishi, Vennela Kishore, Brahmaji, and Raghu Babu. Venky Kudumula produced the movie under What Next Entertainments, with Telugu star Nagarjuna serving as the presenter. S Thaman composed the music, Raja Mahadev handled cinematography, and Ram Kumar A worked as the production designer.