Movie Name : Dilruba
Release Date : March 14, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Kiran Abbavaram, Rukshar Dhillon, Kathy Davison, John Vijay
Director : Vishwa Karan
Producers : Vikram Mehra, Siddharth Anand Kumar, Ravi, Jojo Jose, Rakesh Reddy
Music Director : SAM C.S
Cinematographer : Viswas Daniel
Editor : Praveen KL
Related Links : Trailer
After scoring a blockbuster with KA, actor Kiran Abbavaram is back with Dilruba, a romantic action drama. Directed by Vishwa Karan, the film has hit the big screens today. Let’s dive in and see how it fares.
After scoring a blockbuster with KA, actor Kiran Abbavaram is back with Dilruba, a romantic action drama. Directed by Viswa Karun, the film has hit the big screens today. Let’s dive in and see how it fares.
Story:
Siddharth Reddy, fondly known as Siddhu (Kiran Abbavaram), has a strong aversion to the words “sorry” and “thank you.” A situation involving Meghana, aka Maggie (Kathy Davison), forces him to apologize, but instead, he chooses to break up with her. Hoping to move on from his heartbreak, he relocates to Mangalore for his studies. Meanwhile, Maggie moves on with her life, gets married, and settles in the USA.
In Mangalore, Siddhu crosses paths with Anjali (Rukshar Dhillon), a vibrant and mischievous student. Over time, their bond deepens, and Siddhu finds himself falling for her. Just when everything seems to be going well, an unforeseen incident drives them apart. Upon learning about this, Maggie returns to India, determined to bring them back together.
What led to Siddhu’s breakups? Why does he have such an aversion to simple words like “sorry” and “thank you”? Will Maggie succeed in reuniting him with Anjali? The answers unfold in the film.
Plus Points:
Kiran Abbavaram brings his usual energy to the film, which helps keep a few scenes engaging. His chemistry with Rukshar Dhillon is decent, and their interactions add some entertainment.
It’s refreshing to see Rukshar in a role that allows her to showcase a playful and mischievous side. Her comic timing works in parts, bringing a few lighthearted moments to the film.
When it comes to action, the film offers a few decent fight sequences. Aadukalam Naren, though limited in screen time, delivers a fine performance, proving once again that experience makes a difference.
Minus Points:
The biggest drawback of Dilruba lies in its story – or the lack of one. With no engaging elements to hook the audience, the entire film feels directionless. From the hero’s characterization to the predictable and outdated climax, nothing stands out. The screenplay struggles to find momentum, making the film feel stretched.
Kiran Abbavaram needs to reevaluate his script choices. His role in Dilruba feels recycled from numerous past films, offering nothing new. As the movie progresses, it constantly reminds the audience of similar stories from the past, making it hard to stay invested.
Kathy Davison’s performance is a major disappointment. Her expressions remain blank, her dialogue delivery lacks impact, and the poor lip-syncing makes it difficult to connect with her character. Several supporting characters feel underutilized, with their arcs left underdeveloped.
Any hope for an engaging second half is quickly lost, as the film becomes even more underwhelming. The music, which could have elevated the emotions, fails to leave an impact. Many of Kiran Abbavaram’s dialogues are delivered as though they are meant to be ‘punch lines,’ but they often feel forced and unnecessary.
The film lacks a compelling conflict, and John Vijay’s villainous role unintentionally leans toward comedy rather than menace. Despite being set in 2025, the storytelling and thought process feel stuck in the early 2000s.
Technical Aspects:
Debutant director Viswa Karun falls short of delivering an engaging romantic action drama. His writing lacks originality, and his execution fails to create the intended impact. While familiar storylines can still work with fresh treatment, Dilruba struggles to hold the audience’s interest. Hopefully, he learns from this experience and returns with a stronger film next time.
On the technical front, the production team has ensured that the film looks visually decent. The cinematography by Viswas Daniel is passable, but the editing could have been much sharper. The CGI work feels below average, often standing out rather than blending in. Sam CS’s music, which could have enhanced the film’s emotional depth, fails to make an impression.
Verdict:
On the whole, Dilruba is a mediocre attempt that works in parts but fails to leave a strong impact. While Kiran Abbavaram brings his usual energy and Rukshar Dhillon adds some charm, the weak screenplay and predictable narration weigh the film down. Debutant director Viswa Karun struggles to maintain engagement, resulting in a film that feels underwhelming. With a few entertaining moments here and there, Dilruba might appeal to fans of the genre, but others may find it forgettable.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team