Andhra King Taluka:
By [Senior Film critic]
From its opening moments Andhra King Taluka stays steadfastly true to its central premise: the story of a fan willing to go to any lengths for his favourite star. Director P. Mahesh Babu tells that story with sincerity the narrative rarely wanders, and when it hits the emotional beats in the second half, it does so with real force.
The film’s biggest strength is its emotional core. The second half is richly textured with scenes that land Rao Ramesh’s temple monologue and the Ramayanam-inspired song are standout moments that lift the film. Those sequences give the climax genuine weight and leave a lasting impression. The screenplay is dotted with thought-provoking lines that avoid sermonising; most dialogues provoke reflection without being didactic, which is a rare balance to achieve in a crowd-pleaser.
Performances are solid across the board. Ram Pothineni delivers arguably the best performance of his career invested, vulnerable and convincing as the fan at the centre of the film. Bhagyashri brings warmth and presence, emerging as a promising leading lady, while Upendra is perfectly cast as the charismatic “Annayya”; his characterization carries echoes of mass-hero mannerisms without feeling like imitation. Rao Ramesh, in his brief but pivotal moments, elevates the material.
Technically, the film fares well. The background score and production values complement the narrative, and the two songs are pleasant, lyrical interludes that suit the tone. The emotional chemistry between Ram and Bhagyashri works, and the hero fan thread is handled with authenticity.
Where the film falters is pacing. The first half, especially the initial thirty minutes, moves at a leisurely clip too often the story lingers where it needn’t. Tighter editing in the opening hour would have sharpened momentum and made the payoff even more satisfying.
Overall, Andhra King Taluka is an honest, well-intentioned film that connects emotionally in most of its parts. It’s likely to resonate strongly with film lovers heroes, industry insiders and hardcore fans alike and could pick up a few awards for its performances and writing. Most importantly for Ram Pothineni, it delivers the hit his career has been waiting for.
Rating: 3 / 5
