| Movie Name | Ustaad Bhagat Singh |
| Rating | |
| Cast | Pawan Kalyan, Sreeleela, Raashi Khanna |
| Director | Harish Shankar |
| Produced By | Mythri Movie Makers |
| Release Date | 19th March 2026 |
Pawan Kalyan delivers a solid performance in Ustaad Bhagat Singh, his second collaboration with director Harish Shankar after their blockbuster Gabbar Singh (2012). While the actor brings his trademark energy and swag, the film struggles with an ordinary first half and a weak villain setup.
Story Overview
The narrative begins with Chief Minister Nalla Nagappa’s son getting kidnapped by Ustaad Bhagat Singh, a man disguised as a cop. The film then explores the kidnapper’s motivations, his past with Nagappa, and the connection to Chandrasekhar Rao.
Performances That Work
Pawan Kalyan stays in his element throughout the film. He displays the right energy from start to finish, excelling in both comical and emotional sequences. Despite the role not being particularly powerful, he brings impact and maintains his signature swag.
Sreeleela plays a bubbly, innocent character and does a commendable job. Raashi Khanna gets limited screen time, while KS Ravi Kumar and Parthiban deliver decent performances in their crucial roles.
What Works and What Doesn’t
Harish Shankar is known for presenting his heroes in larger-than-life avatars and delivering commercial entertainers. After the success of Gabbar Singh, expectations were naturally high for this reunion. However, Harish Shankar’s elevations don’t get the proper setup needed to let Pawan Kalyan truly shine.
The first half starts on an ordinary note after a decent childhood episode. The hero’s introduction feels routine, and scenes involving Raashi Khanna lack impact. Multiple song sequences fail to deliver the intended entertainment, and even the Collar Song falls flat.
The interval appears routine but hints at better things ahead. The second half maintains better flow and kicks off with a powerful Paatha Basti episode. The love track between Sreeleela and Pawan Kalyan is well-executed, and the “Ee Manase” song effectively elevates the romantic feel.
Despite nothing groundbreaking happening, the second half maintains decent momentum. A major sequence involving the villain’s son works adequately, and the emotional ending to the backstory has some impact. The idea of linking the villain’s goal to a national threat towards the climax is good, but the execution feels ordinary due to weak antagonist portrayal.
Positives
- Pawan Kalyan’s performance
- Elevation scenes in the second half
- Sreeleela – Pawan Kalyan flashback chemistry
Negatives
- Weak first half
- Underdeveloped villain character
- Underwhelming songs and background score
- Action sequences could have been better
Final Verdict
Harish Shankar manages to showcase Pawan Kalyan well in Ustaad Bhagat Singh. The film has some heroic episodes that work, particularly the second-half flashback involving Sreeleela and Pawan Kalyan. However, the overall impact remains limited due to a below-average first half, a poorly developed villain character, and ordinary music. Despite DSP’s disappointing work, Pawan Kalyan’s screen presence keeps the film watchable.