Review: Euphoria
By ANR Writing | Senior Film Critic
Rating: 2.5 / 5
For many, Gunasekhar is synonymous with grand canvases—lavish sets, expansive star casts, and visual spectacle. Yet long before that image took hold, he proved his mettle with sensitive, understated cinema like Sogasu Choodatarama. After a considerable gap, Gunasekhar returns to that quieter space with Euphoria, a film that deliberately distances itself from scale and spectacle to engage with contemporary social realities.
Made against the backdrop of new-generation attitudes and modern parenting, Euphoria arrived with little pre-release buzz. Interestingly, the success of Dhoorandhar, which featured Sara Arjun in a pivotal role, inadvertently helped shine a spotlight on this film as well. The question remains: does Euphoria justify that renewed attention?
Story:
Vindhya Vemulapalli (Bhumika Chawla), the principled principal of a reputed city college, shocks everyone by filing a case against herself in the High Court. What crime could a respected educationist possibly have committed? Why would a woman of integrity choose to stand in the dock as an accused? And how is Chaitra (Sara Arjun) connected to this moral and legal conundrum?
Euphoria unfolds as an exploration of these questions, gradually revealing the emotional, ethical, and social layers beneath a seemingly paradoxical act.
Strengths:
Gunasekhar deserves credit for choosing a subject that reflects the anxieties of today’s urban families—unchecked freedom, blurred parental boundaries, and the unintended consequences of modern upbringing. The film’s intent is sincere, and at its best moments, deeply relevant.
Bhumika Chawla anchors the narrative with a restrained and dignified performance, lending credibility and emotional weight to the film. Debutant Vignesh, portraying a character with negative shades, delivers a surprisingly natural performance, while Gautham Menon makes a solid impact, justifying his presence in the narrative.
The film’s first half is brisk and engaging. The screenplay up to the interval is taut, pulling the audience into the story without unnecessary detours. The climax, in particular, is emotionally charged and clearly articulates the film’s core message, leaving a lingering moral resonance.
Euphoria also functions as a mirror to contemporary society, critiquing the misuse of freedom among today’s youth and the lapses in modern parenting. As a social drama, it provokes thought and invites introspection rather than offering easy answers.
Drawbacks:
The second half is where Euphoria loses momentum. The narrative slows down noticeably, with certain scenes feeling repetitive and overstretched. A tighter edit and reduced runtime could have significantly improved the film’s impact.
Despite the story revolving around Sara Arjun’s character, her limited screen time is a letdown and may disappoint audiences expecting a more substantial presence. Additionally, while the songs are thematically aligned, they interrupt the narrative flow. In a serious social drama like this, the musical interludes feel unnecessary and dilute the emotional intensity.
The emotional confrontations between Bhumika and Vignesh lack the required depth. With stronger writing and more nuanced staging, these conflicts could have resonated more powerfully with the audience.
Technical Aspects:
Gunasekhar succeeds in delivering a meaningful message, though his narrative execution falters in parts. Praveen Pothan’s cinematography effectively captures the film’s somber mood, while Kaala Bhairava’s background score subtly enhances the emotional undercurrents. Production values remain neat and appropriate to the film’s grounded tone.
Verdict:
Euphoria is a well-intentioned social drama that partially succeeds in engaging the viewer. Strong performances especially by Bhumika Chawla and a relevant core theme work in its favor. However, the sluggish second half, avoidable songs, and uneven execution prevent the film from reaching its full potential.
Viewers who appreciate message-driven cinema and contemporary social narratives may find Euphoria worth a watchprovided they walk in with measured expectations.
