The Family Star (2024)
Director: Parasuram Petla
Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Mrunal Thakur; supporting cast includes Jagapathi Babu, Divyansha Kaushik, Rohini Hattangadi, Vennela Kishore
The Family Star (2024), directed by Parasuram Petla, sets out as a #FamilyDramaRomance, anchored in the life of Govardhan, portrayed with earnest intensity by Vijay Deverakonda. A middle-class pillar of responsibility, Govardhan balances familial burdens with a dash of middle-class superhero bravado—until Indu (Mrunal Thakur), an Anthropologist-turned-tenant, enters his life and reshapes his narrative with unexpected truths. The Times of IndiaThe Hindu
Vijay brings familiar charm as the fiercely devoted brother, while Mrunal offers warmth and grace as the enigmatic Indu—though her character lacks depth as the story unfolds. Their chemistry briefly sparks interest in the first half, but the narrative struggles to sustain emotional resonance. Telugu CinemaThe New Indian Express
Visually competent with polished family interiors and glimpses of Govardhan’s comic fights and financial frugality, the film leans on tropes—the “iron ee vanchala enti” moment intended as a mass hero beat—but often rides clichés rather than narrative cohesion. The HinduTelugu Cinema
At its core, the film aims to explore family duty, aspiration, and the tension between middle-class dreams and personal fulfillment. However, as reviewers widely observed, The Family Star falls short, especially in the second half, which funnels into disjointed plot developments and slows the pace drastically. WikipediaHindustan TimesThe New Indian Express
Critical reception was largely unfavorable: The Hindu branded it “an incoherent muddle,” Indian Express called it lacking in originality and brilliance, while Film Companion dismissed it as a “boring imitation” of the director’s earlier hit Geetha Govindam The HinduThe Indian ExpressFilm Companion. Aggregated analysis also echoes a sentiment of wasted potential: strong leads suffocated by weak material. Wikipedia
On social media, reactions were mixed. Some praised the first-half charm and the early hero-heroine dynamic, but many viewers noted the film’s sluggish decline, melodramatic missteps, and a second half that tested patience. The Times of IndiaReddit+1
In sum, The Family Star offers fleeting moments of sentiment and star performances but ultimately falters under the weight of its writing and execution. It falls short of being the compelling family entertainer it intended to be.
The Family Star (2024), directed by Parasuram Petla, sets out as a #FamilyDramaRomance, anchored in the life of Govardhan, portrayed with earnest intensity by Vijay Deverakonda. A middle-class pillar of responsibility, Govardhan balances familial burdens with a dash of middle-class superhero bravado—until Indu (Mrunal Thakur), an Anthropologist-turned-tenant, enters his life and reshapes his narrative with unexpected truths. The Times of IndiaThe Hindu
Vijay brings familiar charm as the fiercely devoted brother, while Mrunal offers warmth and grace as the enigmatic Indu—though her character lacks depth as the story unfolds. Their chemistry briefly sparks interest in the first half, but the narrative struggles to sustain emotional resonance. Telugu CinemaThe New Indian Express
Visually competent with polished family interiors and glimpses of Govardhan’s comic fights and financial frugality, the film leans on tropes—the “iron ee vanchala enti” moment intended as a mass hero beat—but often rides clichés rather than narrative cohesion. The HinduTelugu Cinema
At its core, the film aims to explore family duty, aspiration, and the tension between middle-class dreams and personal fulfillment. However, as reviewers widely observed, The Family Star falls short, especially in the second half, which funnels into disjointed plot developments and slows the pace drastically. WikipediaHindustan TimesThe New Indian Express
Critical reception was largely unfavorable: The Hindu branded it “an incoherent muddle,” Indian Express called it lacking in originality and brilliance, while Film Companion dismissed it as a “boring imitation” of the director’s earlier hit Geetha Govindam The HinduThe Indian ExpressFilm Companion. Aggregated analysis also echoes a sentiment of wasted potential: strong leads suffocated by weak material. Wikipedia
On social media, reactions were mixed. Some praised the first-half charm and the early hero-heroine dynamic, but many viewers noted the film’s sluggish decline, melodramatic missteps, and a second half that tested patience. The Times of IndiaReddit+1
In sum, The Family Star offers fleeting moments of sentiment and star performances but ultimately falters under the weight of its writing and execution. It falls short of being the compelling family entertainer it intended to be.
Trailer not available.