Movie Name: 23 (Iravai Moodu)
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Teja R, Tanmai Khushi, Jhansi, Thagubothu Ramesh, and others
Director: Raj R
Produced By: Spirit Media, Studio 99 Entertainment
Release Date: 16th May 2025
23 (Iravai Moodu) is a new Telugu thriller film by Raj R (Mallesham Fame). Produced by Raj Rachakonda under Studio 99 and Spirit Media, it has just hit theaters. Let’s see what it offers to audiences in our review.
Story:
The story unfolds in 1993 in Chilakaluripeta, focusing on Sagar (Teja R.), who aspires to live peacefully with his love, Susheela (Tanmai Kushi). To earn money swiftly, he chooses a dangerous option, leading to a tragic bus fire that kills 23 people. Sagar realizes the consequences of his actions while in jail. Burdened by guilt, he seeks redemption. Will life offer him another chance? The rest of the story is about how Sagar tries to become a good human being, along with legally fighting his jail sentence.
Performances:
Teja lacks impact as Sagar. Despite the character’s depth, the actor seems unimpressive in most moments. Tanmai Khushi does well, and Pawan Ramesh, Thagubothu Ramesh, and Praneeth make an impact. Jhansi is natural in a short role.
Analysis:
Raj R, the director of Mallesham and 8 AM Metro, directs 23 (Iravai Moodu), and he draws inspiration from a real-life event to tell a story that delivers a strong social message. Linking tragedies such as the Tsunduru Dalit massacre, Chilakaluripet bus burning, and Jubilee Hills car bomb blast to show justice disparities based on caste and power is courageous. This idea adds depth to the film.
Although the message is commendable, the narration disappoints. The screenplay doesn’t have the necessary pace and punch. A variety of tense/hard-hitting events occur in the film to the lead character, but they do not resonate with the audience. The film features intriguing scenes in both halves about how justice is being served differently to the people of different sections/communities, but important moments suffer in translation to the screen.
Positives:
- Main Idea
- Intriguing Scenes/Dialogues about the Justice System
- A Few Scenes between the Hero-Heroine
Negatives:
- Uneven Pacing/Screenplay
- Dull Feeling at times
- Lack of Proper Emotional Connection
23 (Iravai Moodu) Movie Review and Verdict:
Overall, 23 (Iravai Moodu) delivers a heartfelt message but lacks an engaging screenplay. Raj R raises crucial points, and a few scenes stand out, but the film’s uneven execution fails to maximize its potential. It can be liked by audiences who want to watch realistic films without much commercial elements.