The Telugu heist action comedy movie Robinhood, which was grandly released in theaters on March 28, 2025 on the occasion of Ugadi, came to the audience with Nithiin and Srileela. Directed by Venky Kudumula and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the film stars Vennela Kishore, Rajendra Prasad, Devadatta Nage, Shine Tom Chacko, Mime Gopi, Aadukalam Naren and others. G.V. Prakash Kumar's music, Sai Sriram's cinematography, and Koti's editing created more hype with cricketer David Warner's cameo and Ketika Sharma's special song. After hits like 'Chalo' and 'Bheeshma', did I like this movie from Venky Kudumula or did it disappoint? Let me tell you about my feelings, movie highlights, and shortcomings in this review
What is the story?
Ram alias Robin Hood (Nithin) is an orphan, raised in an orphanage. Seeing the hunger and suffering of orphans as a child, he becomes a thief who robs the rich and helps the orphanages. He steals with clever tricks and distributes the money to the needy. But, with the strict police officer Victor (Shine Tom Chacko) on his track, Robin Hood puts a stop to the thefts and joins India's number one security agency run by John Snow (Rajendra Prasad) as a security agent. His first assignment is to provide protection to Neera Vasudev (Sreelila), a rich NRI who has come to Hyderabad from Australia. Neera goes to a village called Rudrakonda to meet her grandfather. But, there, a cruel villain Swami (Devadatta Nage), who runs a marijuana business, targets Neera. Who is Neera? Why did the villain target her? How did Robin Hood complete his mission? What is David Warner's cameo? You will know after watching the movie.
My Feelings: Even though the comedy is a workout, the story lacks freshness!
When the movie starts, I see Robin Hood's thefts and Vennela Kishore-Rajendra Prasad's comedy scenes, and I feel, "Oh, this is going to be a real Venky Kudumula comedy ride!" In the first half, Nithin's tricky robbery scenes, love track with Neera, and Vennela Kishore's one-liners made me laugh a lot. The security agency introduction scene, Neera's contract buildup scenes "Abba, Venky Mark comedy is super!" It seemed. The fight scene before the interval was decent. “The villain track in the second half, maybe a massacre with twists!” I thought.
But, the story completely faded in the second half. The marijuana business, the backstory of Rudrakonda village seemed very routine and complicated. Although the villain Swami’s introduction was good, his role became clear in the second half. The hero-villain conflict could not create an impact. “Oh, if the setup was this good, it would have been better if the script had been tightened!” I felt. The love track with Neera stopped halfway, missing emotional depth. The runtime of 2 hours and 36 minutes felt stretched. David Warner’s cameo in the climax was okay, but nothing as special as expected. Ketika Sharma's 'Adida Surprise' song is youthful, but the dance moves seem a bit overboard. Overall, the comedy and production values save the film, but the weak screenplay and routine story stop the film halfway.
Technical aspects, acting
Sai Sriram's cinematography is grand. The Rudrakonda village, Hyderabad settings, and action scenes look visually rich, but some VFX shots (blood stain on Nithin's face) seem artificial. G.V. Prakash Kumar's music is so-so—'One More Time' and 'Adida Surprise' songs are decent, but the BGM is repeated in the same tone and the impact is missed. The editing is okay, but it would have been crisper if 10-15 minutes had been trimmed in the second half. Mythri Movie Makers' production values are top-notch, and the visual grandeur of the film is the biggest plus. Although Venky Kudumula's writing and direction are well-executed in the first half, his strength, comedy and entertainment, fade out in the second half.
In acting, Nithiin gave a decent performance as Robin Hood. He looked stylish and in his comfort zone in action and comedy scenes, but in emotional scenes (especially the ganja fight), his expressions fell flat. "Nithiin can do better!" I felt. Srileela looked beautiful as Neera, but the lack of depth in her role and the role of a routine commercial heroine left her without any impact. Vennela Kishore, Rajendra Prasad's comedy is the biggest asset of the film—Vennela's one-liners and Rajendra Prasad's timing made us laugh. Devadatta Nage was impressive as a villain in the beginning, but his role turned silly in the second half. Talented actors like Shine Tom Chacko, Mime Gopi, and Aadukalam Naren were wasted due to the weak writing. David Warner's cameo was fun, but it didn't have the expected impact. Ketika Sharma's special song had energy, but her dance moves felt a little uncomfortable.
Likes and Dislikes
Likes:
Vennela Kishore, Rajendra Prasad's comedy—Their scenes in the first half made me laugh.
Nithin's performance—Stylish and comfortable in the action and comedy scenes.
Production values—Mythri Movie Makers' grand visuals are a plus for the movie.
First half—Robbery scenes and comedy timing are engaging.
'Adidaa Surprise' song—Kethika Sharma's energy, youthful vibe.
Dislikes:
Weak screenplay—Second half is routine and stretched with a predictable story.
Love track—Nithin and Srileela's romance stops halfway.
Ganja subplot—villain track, village episode are complicated and uninteresting.
BGM, songs—We expected a better output from G.V. Prakash.
VFX flaws—Some shots are artificial and lack refinement.
Who can watch it?
Robin Hood is a decent watch for comedy action entertainers, Nithiin, Srileela fans, and those who like Venky Kudumula's style. With a UA certificate, there are some action and comedy scenes, so the youth and family audience can enjoy it. Vennela Kishore, Rajendra Prasad can be tried in the theater for comedy, and David Warner for a cameo. But, those who expect magic, fresh story, and tight screenplay like 'Bheeshma' will be disappointed. There is no announcement about the OTT release yet (it is likely to come on Zee5), so those in the mood for a light comedy can watch it in the theater.
Rating: 2.5/5
Robinhood impressed in the first half with Vennela Kishore, Rajendra Prasad's comedy, Nithiin's stylish performance, and Mythri Movie Makers' grand production. But, the movie stopped halfway due to the weak screenplay, routine story, stretched second half, lack of love track, and flat ganja subplot. Comedy lovers and Nithiin fans can watch it once in the theater, but don't expect the blockbuster magic like 'Bheeshma'!
Release Date: March 28, 2025 (Theatres)
Streaming: OTT Release Date Not Announced (Possibly on Zee5)
Director: Venky Kudumula
Cast: Nithiin, Srileela, Vennela Kishore, Rajendra Prasad, Devadatta Nage, Shine Tom Chacko, David Warner (cameo), Ketika Sharma (special song)
Music: G.V. Prakash Kumar
Cinematography: Sai Sriram