Patang Movie Review:
By anrwriting ✍🏽 | Senior Film Critic
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
The Christmas weekend saw as many as eight Telugu films hitting theatres, making competition especially tough for smaller productions. Among them is Patang, a low-budget film that arrived with decent trailers and melodious songs but struggled to grab attention due to an all-new cast and limited promotions. The big question remains does this modest film soar high or merely drift along? Let’s find out.
Story:
Whisky (Vamsi Poojith) and Arun (Pranav Kaushik) have been inseparable friends since childhood. Their twelve-year-long friendship faces an unexpected test when Aishwarya (Preethi Pagadala) enters their lives. What begins as a simple triangle love story takes an interesting turn when the two friends decide to settle matters through a kite-flying competition Patang becomes both a metaphor and a narrative device.
Who wins the contest? And more importantly, who wins Aishwarya’s heart? That forms the crux of the film.
While the plot is straightforward, layered characterizations add emotional complexity, making the experience engaging especially when watched on the big screen.
Performances:
Preethi Pagadala delivers a pleasant surprise. Known earlier for social media content, she proves her acting mettle by convincingly portraying emotional confusion and romantic vulnerability. Though there’s scope for improvement in expressive subtlety, her performance leaves a strong impression.
Vamsi Poojith displays admirable ease and innocence. His performance carries a natural charm, reminiscent of early Dhanush’s simplicity blended with Nani’s comic timing. He shines particularly in emotional moments.
Pranav Kaushik brings good screen presence and energy. His dancing skills and relatable characterization work well, and his chemistry with Vamsi Poojith is one of the film’s strengths.
Veteran actors S.P. Charan and Vadlamani Srinivas add weight to the narrative. Vishika’s mass-oriented role stands out with her comic timing and mannerisms, earning consistent laughs. Vignani, playing Pranav’s sister, is charming and recalls the lovable friend character from Mirapakay.
The supporting cast, especially the group of friends, contribute significantly particularly in the climax, where comedy lands effectively. Gautham Vasudev Menon’s guest appearance adds narrative value, and the playful punches aimed at him are well-received.
Technical aspects:
Music composer Jose Jimmy and cinematographer Shakti Aravind are the film’s unsung heroes. The soundtrack offers refreshing variety, with well-written lyrics and engaging background score that elevates emotional beats.
Shakti Aravind’s cinematography is realistic yet visually appealing. Natural locations and careful color grading provide a satisfying cinematic texture that complements the film’s grounded tone.
Director Praneeth Prathipati deserves appreciation for transforming a simple story into an entertaining narrative. The way kite-flying is woven symbolically into the storyline is clever. His portrayal of modern youth confusion is relatable, tasteful, and never exaggerated. The humor remains within limits, and the film concludes on a satisfying note. Overall, Praneeth establishes himself as a promising writer-director.
Analysis:
Triangle love stories aren’t new to Telugu cinema. However, what matters is how engagingly they are told. Patang succeeds not through novelty but through sincerity and execution. Presented in a Hyderabadi flavor with strong music and capable performances, the film offers wholesome entertainment.
Thanks to a balanced cast and strong technical support, Patang leaves viewers with a pleasant aftertaste—like having watched a feel-good film made with honest intent.
Verdict:
Patang may be small in scale, but it flies high on emotions, music, and relatability. A clean, family-friendly entertainer that’s worth watching together
