Movie Name: Sri Chidambaram Garu
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Vamsi Tummala, Sandhya Vasishtha, Gopinath, Shivakumar Matta, Kalpalatha Garlapati, Arun Kumar, Tulasi, Naidu Moram, Shankar Rao and others
Director: Vinay Ratnam
Produced By: Chinta Vinitha Reddy, Chinta Gopalakrishna Reddy
Release Date: 6th February 2026
Sri Chidambaram Garu is a small film made with strong Telugu sensibilities and good content, and it created a good buzz with its promotions. Directed by Vinay Ratnam, the film has been released in theaters today. Let us check how the film fares in the following review.
Story:
Salmon (Vamsi Tummala) is born with a squint, and this physical flaw makes him a target of ridicule from a very young age. The constant insults from people around him slowly build a deep sense of inferiority. Villagers mockingly call him Chidambaram (Reference to Kallu Chidambaram).
To escape the humiliation and avoid unwanted attention, Salmon begins wearing dark glasses to hide his condition. Meanwhile, Leela (Sandhya Vasishta), a girl from the same village, develops feelings for him. However, a misunderstanding creates distance between them. How much pain does Chidambaram endure because of this? Does he finally overcome his weakness and reclaim his self-respect? The rest of the film unfolds these answers.
Performances:
Vamsi Tummala delivers a mature and confident performance, never once appearing like a newcomer. He fully owns the character and brings depth to Chidambaram’s emotional journey. Sandhya Vasishta looks graceful in the female lead and delivers a convincing performance. Pushpa fame Kalpalatha shines as the hero’s mother, once again proving her acting prowess, while senior actress Tulasi lends solid support and does justice to her role.
Analysis:
Director Vinay Ratnam, Sri Chidambaram Garu is an honest attempt to address a sensitive social issue. The film’s intentions are sincere, and it is technically sound. The first half moves with a pleasant, breezy tone, blending light entertainment with a well-handled love track.
The natural dialogues stand out and add authentic touch to the narrative. The first half works effectively without major flaws. But the second half feels stretched, as the story revolves around a relatively small misunderstanding.
A tighter and more engaging screenplay could have elevated this portion.The fake pastor episode is relevant to the story but fails to leave a strong impact. The film regains momentum toward the climax, powered by impactful dialogues and emotional weight.
Positives:
- Authentic Taking
- Performances
- First Half
Negatives:
- Second Half
- Mishandling of the Main Conflict
Sri Chidambaram Garu Review and Verdict:
Sri Chidambaram Garu is a simple, emotion-driven drama supported by natural performances and genuine moments that touch the heart. While the film starts strong, the routine narration and weak conflict in the second half hold it back, resulting in an average output though the effort is sincere.