Priyadarshi Pulikonda is back on the big screen after the failure of Mithra Mandali, and this time, he picks a romantic crime comedy genre titled Premante. He is paired opposite Kayal Anandhi, and the movie has now been released amidst average hopes. The film’s performance is also given a detailed analysis as shown below.
Story
The story is focused on the lives of Madhusudhana Rao (Priyadarshi) and Ramya (Anandhi) who marry each other after falling in love. In the initial three months, their relationship is smooth and happy. But everything completely changes when Ramya gets to know some shattering news about her husband. Betrayed, she is about to leave him but hesitantly gives him one more chance.
Yet another surprise twist follows quickly, forcing Ramya to make a strange and outrageous choice which puts Madhusudhana Rao in confusion. The identity of Madhusudhana Rao, the motives behind Ramya’s reactions, and the participation of Head Constable Asha Mary (Suma Kanakala) form the dramatic and comic core of the film.
Plus Points
A revival to the comedy realm is observed with Priyadarshi, and he gives a comfortable delivery. His timing, dialogue delivery, and natural humour sense are put to good use, serving as a welcome change after his previous defeat. His screen presence is the backbone of the lighter scenes.
Kayal Anandhi begins silently with a calm demeanor, but her character picks up pace over time. Her erratic trajectory adds interest and helps the story progress. She shares a believable chemistry with Priyadarshi, and their early marital life scenes feel natural and easy.
Suma Kanakala emerges as one of the most important parts of the film, given a proper comedic role. Her vibrant acting and her mix-ups with Vennela Kishore elevate the humour. Kishore’s presence adds charisma, making otherwise mundane scenes more impressive.
Supporting actors like Hyper Aadhi, Ram Prasad, etc., perform well and contribute to the comedic elements, though in limited portions.
Minus Points
The initial part of the film is fast-paced, with a good balance of humour and romance. The mid-film twist is handled decently and builds curiosity. But the same energy is not maintained in the second half. The story slows noticeably and scenes become elongated without much relevance.
The latter parts suffer from underdeveloped writing. Many scenes seem inserted just to complete the story and give it an easy ending rather than enriching it. Cinematic indulgence dominates the climax, and the narrative lacks logical support. The theft-based segments, though entertaining on the surface, fall apart when examined closely.
The comedy track with Suma becomes repetitive—not due to acting but due to weak writing. Hyper Aadhi and Ram Prasad are conspicuously underused despite having good comedic value. Emotional scenes that should add weight feel forcefully imposed and fail to evoke sentiment.
Technical Aspects
There is potential in the directorial debut of Navaneeth Sriram, but the second-half writing needs sharpening. His vision of a fun, light-hearted, crime-tinged story is visible, but inconsistently executed. With stronger script support, the film could have been far better.
Production values are sufficient, and visual appeal is enhanced by the clean and pleasant cinematography of Vishwanath Reddy. Leon James provides good musical accompaniment, with the marriage song standing out. However, the background score is sometimes too intense. Raghavendra Thirun, the editor, shines in the first half but loses grip later, contributing to uneven pacing.
Verdict
Generally, Premante is a romantic crime comedy that provides entertainment in some episodes. The lead pair performs reliably and their chemistry adds pleasant warmth. Humour by Suma Kanakala and Vennela Kishore is a steady plus and lifts the film whenever the narrative slows.
However, the second half suffers due to the lack of an effective narrative engine, emotional depth, and better utilization of supporting characters. For audiences looking for light comedy and easy entertainment, the movie works reasonably well. But those expecting a tightly written romantic crime storyline may be disappointed.
It is a decent one-time watch, especially if one is willing to overlook logical gaps.
Rating: (2.75/5)
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