Mowgli telugu movie review – a jungle romance with grit and flaws highlighted in red

Cast – Roshan Kanakala, Sakkshi Mhadolkar, Bandi Saroj Kumar, Harsha Chemudu, Suhas, Krishna Bhagvaan, Srinivas Avasarala
Directors – Sandeep Raj
Producers – TG Vishwa Prasad, Krithi Prasad
Banner – People Media Factory
Music – Kaala Bhairava
Runtime – 160 minutes
Genre – Romantic Drama, Action
Release Date – December 13, 2025
Background
The film arrives as Roshan Kanakala’s second outing after Bubblegum.
It was marketed as a youthful romantic drama with action elements.
Director Sandeep Raj aimed to blend village romance with forest adventure.
The production house People Media Factory backed the project with rich values.
Kaala Bhairava’s music was expected to elevate the emotional tone.
The film promised a mix of love, conflict, and identity struggles.
The backdrop of forest life added a unique flavor.
The antagonist role was highlighted in promotions.
The movie sought to connect with both youth and mass audiences.
It carried expectations of being a bold experiment in Telugu cinema.
The release was timed to attract holiday audiences.
The background set the stage for a promising yet risky narrative.
Plot
Murali aka Mowgli grows up near the forest.
He falls in love with Jasmine aka Varsha, a dancer.
Their romance faces hurdles from misunderstandings.
A producer misleads Murali about Varsha’s character.
Christopher Nolan, a police officer, complicates matters further.
The couple struggles against societal and personal challenges.
The narrative explores love, betrayal, and redemption.
The climax resolves their emotional journey.
Artists Performances
Roshan Kanakala shows improvement from his debut, handling romance and action better.
Sakkshi Mhadolkar impresses with expressive acting, especially through her eyes.
Bandi Saroj Kumar delivers a strong antagonist role with confidence.
Harsha Chemudu balances comedy and emotion effectively.
Suhas adds flavor in his cameo appearance.
Krishna Bhagvaan brings humor in limited screen time.
Srinivas Avasarala’s role feels underutilized but adds presence.
The ensemble cast supports the narrative well.
Performances resonate with youthful energy.
Overall, the cast elevates the film despite screenplay flaws.
Technicalities
Kaala Bhairava’s background score works in parts but songs fail to impress.
Cinematography captures forest landscapes beautifully.
Editing struggles with pacing, especially in the climax.
Production values are rich and polished.
Sound design enhances dramatic moments.
Lighting choices emphasize emotional depth.
Costume design reflects village authenticity.
Dialogues carry intensity but sometimes feel forced.
Technical execution supports the director’s vision partially.
Overall, technical aspects are strong but uneven.
Positives
- Strong antagonist characterization.
- Lead actors’ performances show growth.
- Engaging interval twist.
- Rich production values.
Negatives
- Poor music and lack of memorable songs.
- Dragged climax with uneven pacing.
- Predictable screenplay with limited emotional depth.
Analysis
Mowgli attempts to blend romance, action, and emotional drama.
The director’s inspiration from Teja’s Jayam is evident.
The narrative struggles to establish strong emotional connection.
Romantic chemistry feels underdeveloped.
The antagonist role excites initially but becomes monotonous.
Comedy through fan wars fails to generate interest.
Interval twist adds momentum to the story.
Second half has engaging moments but falters later.
Music fails to elevate emotional sequences.
Songs lack chartbuster appeal.
Background score works only in parts.
Cinematography captures forest beauty effectively.
Editing issues affect narrative flow.
Climax feels stretched unnecessarily.
Production values remain consistently rich.
Performances anchor the film despite flaws.
Roshan Kanakala shows marked improvement.
Sakkshi Mhadolkar impresses with expressive acting.
Bandi Saroj Kumar delivers a confident antagonist role.
Harsha Chemudu balances comedy and emotion.
Supporting cast adds flavor but feels underutilized.
Dialogues carry intensity but sometimes feel forced.
Lighting choices emphasize darker tone.
Costume design reflects village authenticity.
Sound design enhances dramatic tension.
The film differentiates itself from typical romantic dramas.
It appeals more to youth than family audiences.
Comparisons with other romantic dramas overshadow originality.
The narrative risks alienating mainstream viewers.
Some scenes feel repetitive and stretched.
The climax resolves Mowgli’s emotional journey.
Resolution emphasizes love and identity.
The film succeeds in delivering emotional depth in parts.
It falters in maintaining consistent pacing.
Audience reception is divided due to expectations.
Critics appreciate performances and visuals.
General viewers find music disappointing.
The film remains a bold experiment in Telugu cinema.
Its legacy lies in its attempt to blend romance and action.
Overall, it is a mixed cinematic experience.
Final verdict :- A bold attempt with strong performances and visuals, but poor music and uneven narration make it a mixed watch
Rating :- 2.30/5
