Dhanushs Idli Kottu Movie Review Telugu Audience Response

Dhanush, known primarily as a Tamil star, has also made a mark with his Telugu films like Kubera, endearing himself to audiences here. Apart from acting, he has already directed a couple of films. Now, he takes on a triple role as actor, director, and producer with Idli Kottu, which hit Telugu screens on October 1, though without much pre-release buzz. Let’s see how the film fares.

Storyline

Shivakeshava (Rajkiran) runs a famous idli stall in Shankarapuram. His son Murali (Dhanush), unlike his father, aspires for more and pursues hotel management. Leaving his family behind, he takes up a job in Bangkok. There, he falls in love with Meera (Shalini Pandey), daughter of his company’s owner Vishnuvardhan (Sathyaraj), and they plan to marry. But just days before the wedding, tragedy strikes when Shivakeshava passes away. Murali returns home, and soon clashes arise with Vishnuvardhan’s son Ashwin (Arun Vijay). How Murali faces these challenges and what unfolds in his personal and family life forms the rest of the story.

Emotional Impact

The film strongly highlights the pain of separation from family and hometown. A particularly touching scene shows a mother failing to recognize her son after years of working abroad. The raw emotion in such moments resonates deeply with audiences who have left their hometowns for jobs. The entire setup of the idli stall, the village life, and the cultural backdrop evokes strong nostalgia.

Though the storyline is not new and feels familiar to Tamil and Malayalam dramas, the emotional depth makes it worthwhile. Dhanush deserves praise for balancing his role as both actor and director.

Analysis

The film runs for about two and a half hours, which feels slightly stretched. However, once connected to its emotions, the audience will surely be moved to tears. The trailer already hinted at the emotional core, but the execution adds weight to it. The village scenes, father-son bond, and subtle twists around some characters keep the film engaging. Ultimately, it leaves viewers reminiscing about their roots and the warmth of their native place.

Performances

• Dhanush delivers a strong yet understated performance as Murali.
• Rajkiran shines as the loving father, Shivakeshava.
• Shalini Pandey fits well as Meera, while Nithya Menon and Arun Vijay also give credible performances.
• Senior actors Sathyaraj, Samuthirakani, and Parthiban appear briefly but add weight with natural acting.

Technical Aspects

GV Prakash Kumar’s background score works well, though the songs are less impactful. Cinematography is rich, capturing both village and city life effectively. While Dhanush impresses as an actor, his directorial effort feels partly satisfying, mainly due to a predictable screenplay.

Verdict

Idli Kottu is a family-oriented film filled with emotion, nostalgia, and heartfelt performances. Though the story is flat and predictable, it connects with audiences who value strong emotional storytelling. It might appeal more to Tamil viewers, but Telugu audiences can also enjoy it with family.