What’s it about?
Jai (Nithiin), an archer, is training in Delhi with hopes of winning a gold medal at an upcoming championship. However, he struggles to hit the bull’s eye during practice sessions. His friend Chitra (Varsha Bollamma) senses that something is troubling him mentally. That’s when Jai opens up about his painful past. Jai once had a sister, Sneha Latha (Laya), who left him and their father years ago due to a grave mistake he made. Despite treating him more like a son than a brother, she vowed never to return and never did.
Encouraged by Chitra, Jai travels to Andhra Pradesh to search for her. They eventually track down her address, only to discover that she has changed her name to Jhansi and now works as a government officer. Jai meets her when she and her husband return from a local festival deep in the forest. He realizes that she has adopted a new identity to completely detach from her painful past. Respecting her choice, he chooses not to reveal himself.
However, when Jai learns that Jhansi is being threatened by a corrupt businessman, Agarwal (Saurabh Sachdeva), who wants to silence her over an official report, he steps in to protect her.
Will Jai ever gather the courage to reveal his true identity and earn back his sister’s love? Or will she fall victim to the businessman’s ruthless schemes? Can Jai prove himself as the true brother she once adored?
Analysis
“Thammudu” is built on the familiar brother-sister sentiment drama, a formula that has been successfully explored by several top Telugu stars over the years. Nithiin attempts to carry this legacy forward, but the problem isn’t with the formula itself. It lies in the execution.
Surprisingly, director Venu Sriram, known for hits like MCA and Vakeel Saab, delivers a narration that often feels bland and uninspired. Some scenes are handled so awkwardly and lack basic finesse that it’s hard to believe they were crafted by the same filmmaker. Despite a shaky first half, there’s room for the film to pick up momentum—but even the second half fails to offer much respite.
The reason behind why Laya’s character left her brother during childhood is explained convincingly, and the villain, played by Bollywood actor Saurabh Sachdeva, is given an intriguingly written arc. These two segments stand out as the only highlights in an otherwise underwhelming first half. Unfortunately, the film is riddled with dull and frustrating moments. Particularly the scenes involving Sapthami Gowda, who plays a forest communicator speaking in forced rhymes, are so irritating.
Though the film’s core emotion and premise are acceptable, Venu Sriram fails to build effectively on that foundation. The second half, set almost entirely over a single night, tries to raise the stakes but falls flat emotionally. The tension that should naturally emerge from the emotional backdrop never truly materializes, making the action sequences feel hollow.
The “archer” angle, which could have added a unique flavor to the hero’s characterization, is barely utilized—appearing meaningfully only twice. The attempt to draw a parallel between Nithiin’s character and Arjuna doesn’t land well. Even the Sanskrit phrase “Anugachhatu Pravaha” (meaning “Let the flow go”), which is meant to carry thematic weight, adds little to the story or its progression.
As far as performances go, Nithiin puts in the effort, but there’s nothing particularly noteworthy about his portrayal. Laya delivers a decent performance in the role of the sister, bringing some emotional weight to her character. Saurabh Sachdeva stands out slightly with a better-written role and a more compelling presence. However, the rest of the cast—including Kantara fame Sapthami Gowda—fails to make any lasting impact.
On the technical front, the departments have done a competent job, though nothing stands out as remarkable or elevates the film beyond its limitations.
Bottom-line: “Thammudu” is a disappointment due to poor writing, unimaginative execution. The missed opportunities render it ineffective. It wants to be a stirring tale of sibling love wrapped in action—but delivers neither heart nor thrill.
Rating: 2.25/5
Movie: Thammudu
Cast: Nithiin, Sapthami Gowda, Laya, Varsha Bollamma, Saurabh Sachdeva, Swasika, Hari Teja, and others
Music: B. Ajaneesh Loknath
DOP: K.V Guhan, Sameer Reddy, Setu
Editor: Prawin Pudi
Production Designer: G M Sekhar
Action: Vikram Mor, Real Satish, Ravi Verma, Ram Krishan
Produced by: Raju – Shirish
Written and Directed by: Sriram Venu
Release Date: July 4, 2025
