Irumudi (2026) — A Decent Thriller, One-Time Watch
Irumudi (2026) · ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Dir. Shiva Nirvana · Starring Ravi Teja, Baby Nakshathra, Sai Kumar, Priya Bhavani Shankar · 2h 25min · Telugu
Streaming: Theaters (Aug 2026)
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The setup: Trinadha (Ravi Teja) is an alcoholic with a violent past who's trying to live peacefully with his young daughter Manikanta (Baby Nakshathra) beside a waterfall. When she asks him to take Ayyappa Deeksha — a 41-day spiritual vow of intense austerity — he agrees, setting off a journey that forces him to confront his demons, both internal and external. Meanwhile, Gopal Raju (Sai Kumar) raises his own daughter with a very different philosophy: survive by staying silent.
The verdict: decent thriller, one-time watch.
Ravi Teja delivers a solid performance as Trinadha — the man's got range when he's not doing his usual mass avatar. The father-daughter bond with Baby Nakshathra is the emotional core, and she holds her own surprisingly well against a seasoned actor. Sai Kumar brings gravitas to the antagonist role, and the contrast between the two fathers — one who empowers his daughter to speak, one who teaches her silence — gives the film its thematic weight.
Shiva Nirvana's direction is competent. The film has its moments of genuine tension, especially when Trinadha's past catches up with him. The action sequences are restrained and grounded, which works in the film's favor — this isn't a mass masala fest, it's more of a character-driven thriller with spiritual undertones. The Ayyappa Deeksha angle adds an interesting cultural layer that gives the narrative texture.
Where it falters: The first half feels crowded — too many antagonistic characters get introduced to create conflict, making the narrative uneven at times. At 2h 25min, it could've been tighter. Some of the subplots feel like they exist just to pad the runtime. The fantasy elements, while interesting conceptually, don't always mesh smoothly with the grounded thriller tone.
Bottom line: If you're in the mood for a Telugu thriller that's more about emotion than explosions, Irumudi fits the bill. Ravi Teja fans will appreciate seeing him in a more restrained role, and the father-daughter dynamic is genuinely touching. It won't blow your mind, but it won't waste your time either. Decent watch, one time through.