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Sankranthiki Vasthunnam Review: Venkatesh and Anil Ravipudi deliver a festive entertainer

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Venkatesh in Sankranthiki Vasthunnam movie poster

Director Anil Ravipudi and actor Venkatesh reunite for their third collaboration, Sankranthiki Vasthunnam, a festive comedy that aims to charm family audiences. Released during the Sankranti festival, the film brings together humor, nostalgia, and family drama, though it struggles to maintain consistency in its narrative.

Plot and performances

The story revolves around Y. D. Raju (Venkatesh), a retired encounter specialist enjoying a peaceful life in a picturesque village near Rajahmundry. As a loving husband and the head of a vibrant joint family, Raju’s life takes an unexpected turn when an old acquaintance, now a stern police officer (Meenakshi Chaudhary), seeks his help. What follows is a series of comedic and heartwarming events that bring Raju back into action.

Venkatesh’s portrayal of Raju is effortless, blending comedy with emotional depth. Aishwarya Rajesh delivers a standout performance as his supportive wife, adding authenticity and charm to their on-screen chemistry. Her integration into the film’s action sequences in the second half showcases her versatility as an actor.

Strengths and weaknesses

The film’s first half thrives on Ravipudi’s signature humor and relatable family dynamics. Raju’s witty dialogues and the interactions within the family keep the audience entertained. However, the second half loses momentum, relying heavily on formulaic comedy and underdeveloped subplots involving characters like Upendra Limaye, Naresh, and VTV Ganesh. While these moments provide occasional laughs, they lack the freshness needed to sustain engagement.

The climax introduces a moral message about the importance of teachers, which, though well-intentioned, feels out of place and diminishes the lighthearted tone established earlier.

Technical aspects

The film’s technical strengths lie in Bheems Ceciroleo’s energetic music and the vibrant cinematography that captures the festive spirit of Sankranti. The village setting is beautifully depicted, immersing the audience in its celebratory atmosphere.

Final verdict

Sankranthiki Vasthunnam is a light-hearted family entertainer that delivers enough laughs to justify a festive outing. Despite its predictable narrative and uneven pacing, the film benefits from Venkatesh’s impeccable comedic timing and the vibrant on-screen chemistry of its cast. While it may not reach the heights of Ravipudi’s previous successes, it remains a decent choice for families seeking festive cheer.

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Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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Ram Charan’s Peddi opens to mixed reviews despite strong performances and music

Peddi has received mixed reviews, with Ram Charan’s performance and AR Rahman’s music earning praise while criticism has focused on the film’s screenplay and writing.

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Peddi movie review

Ram Charan’s much-awaited Telugu sports drama Peddi hit theatres on June 4 and has generated significant discussion among critics and audiences. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film marks Charan’s return to the big screen in a rural sports-based story that combines action, emotion and village politics.

Early reviews have highlighted Ram Charan’s committed performance as one of the film’s strongest assets. Critics have particularly appreciated his transformation and screen presence, with many describing the role as one that allows the actor to showcase both emotional depth and mass appeal.

Another aspect receiving widespread praise is the music and background score composed by A. R. Rahman. Several reviewers and audience members have pointed to the soundtrack and score as key elements that elevate important moments throughout the film.

However, reviews have been more divided on the film’s writing. Critics have argued that while the film contains emotionally effective sequences and well-mounted sports moments, the screenplay often follows familiar genre conventions and lacks the consistency needed to fully realise its ambitions.

The film also stars Janhvi Kapoor, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu and Boman Irani in important roles. Audience reactions on social media have generally described the film as an entertaining watch despite its shortcomings, with praise directed at the performances and technical departments.

Despite the mixed critical response, Peddi has opened strongly at the box office, supported by robust advance bookings and enthusiastic fan celebrations across Telugu-speaking regions.

Peddi Official Trailer:

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Dhurandhar raw and uncut version set for digital premiere on two major streaming platforms

In a major surprise for action film fans, the raw and uncut version of Dhurandhar is launching tomorrow across both Netflix India and JioHotstar with uncensored footage and multiple audio tracks.

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Dhurandhar

Indian cinema enthusiasts are in for an unexpected treat as the highly anticipated unfiltered version of the blockbuster film Dhurandhar is officially heading to digital platforms. In a surprising double-platform strategy, the raw and uncut cut of the action-packed movie is scheduled to begin streaming on both Netflix India and JioHotstar.

The sudden announcement from the streaming platforms has sparked significant buzz across social media. While much of the recent digital speculation has centered around the streaming schedule for the sequel, media updates have confirmed that this specific raw release applies to the franchise’s first installment. Starting tomorrow, viewers in India will be able to watch the unfiltered version of the movie in multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, complete with intense gore sequences and raw dialogues that were previously trimmed.

Dual-platform digital release brings uncensored action

The announcement has cleared up initial confusion among fans who were anticipating updates regarding the franchise. While international audiences have seen varied streaming distributions for the franchise, viewers within India will uniquely get access to the first film’s “undekha” (unseen) cut simultaneously on two separate streaming applications.

The standard digital premiere for the second installment, Dhurandhar 2, remains locked for June 4, 2026, on JioHotstar and will mirror the standard censored cut that was showcased during its theatrical run. However, for fans seeking an uncompromising, high-octane cinematic experience, the original film’s extended, raw edition arrives online tomorrow on both competing streaming services.

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