Gurram Paapi Reddy Movie Review: A decent laughter ride that hits a few bumps

Despite films shuffling their release dates thanks to the back-to-back releases of Akhanda (December 12), and Avatar: Fire and Ash (December 19), one small film that decided to brave these juggernauts was Gurram Paapi Reddy, which hit the screens on Friday. This film marks Murali Manohar's second outing as a filmmaker, and the makers promised a fun-filled ride. And they have delivered.

Murali Manohar chooses a familiar revenge setup, centred around a man who loses everything due to the rich and the heartless. However, he gives it a slightly different treatment. Instead of physical violence, the protagonist uses his intelligence to get his money back. Though the core idea isn’t new to Telugu cinema, the director narrates it in a lighter, comedy-driven manner. The film revolves around how the protagonist, with the help of four unusual companions, executes his revenge.

Cast: Naresh Agastya, Faria Abdullah, Brahmanandam, Raj Kasireddy, John Vijay, Yogi Babu Jeevan Kumar

Director: Murali Manohar

Paapi Reddy (Naresh Agastya), an orphan and the only graduate from his village, starts a chit fund company with the backing of a royal family member, Hayagreevam (John Vijay). Many villagers invest their hard-earned money in this company. However, when the company suddenly declares bankruptcy, Paapi Reddy is made the scapegoat. One of those victims is Soudamini (Faria Abdullah), who dreams of becoming a doctor, but forgets it to take revenge on Paapi Reddy. However, realising that Paapi Reddy too has been cheated, Soudamini joins hands with him to take revenge on the real culprits. Paapi Reddy and Soudamini are joined by Chilipi (Vamsidhar), Military (Raj Kasireddy), and Goyyi (Jeevan Kumar), who come on board mainly for the money promised to them.

What follows is a series of funny situations as this group, armed with half-knowledge and clever tricks, tries to outsmart the royal family. Murali Manohar manages to sustain the humour despite the thin storyline, relying heavily on witty writing and punchy dialogues. The comedy lands in parts and does provide a few genuine laughs. Naresh Agastya, who has appeared in several films earlier, finally gets a proper protagonist role. 

Gurram Paapi Reddy falls into the same genre as a Mathu Vadalara or Jathi Ratnalu. This time, the director adds an interesting twist involving an ancient royal lineage and a legal heir who claims a share in the property. Though some scenes feel stretched, the director explains their purpose through flashbacks. The antics of Chilipi and Military often land the group in trouble, leading to several comic situations. Midway, the narrative shifts to a courtroom where Judge Vaidyanathan (Brahmanandam) must decide the true lineage of a person, and this slowly turns into comedy gold. The second half gets another boost with the entry of Sangi Reddy, played by 'Mottai' Rajendran. Though some portions drag, the final twist comes as a surprise. However, the anticlimax feels inspired — almost lifted — from the Malayalam film Trance.

Naresh Agastya delivers one of his best performances as Gurram Paapi Reddy. He proves once again that he is a capable and talented actor when given the right material.  While he hasn’t received the recognition he deserves, this film should give him much-needed visibility. Faria Abdullah, who earlier appeared in Mathu Vadalara and Jathi Ratnalu, gets a substantial role here. Her character isn’t just a token female lead; she remains an integral part of the story from start to finish, and performs convincingly.

Yogi Babu appears briefly but leaves a strong impact, especially in the climax. Raj Kasireddy, as the retired military man, and Vamsidhar, as Chilip, deliver consistent laughs with their sharp one-liners. Jeevan Kumar gets a lengthy role and makes good use of it, while Rajendran’s cameo adds to the fun. John Vijay fits well as a royal family member. Brahmanandam’s return as Judge Vaidyanathan is refreshing. After a long time, he appears in a full-fledged comic role, and the courtroom scenes offer some much-needed laughs. Niranjan Rami Reddy’s sharp, witty, and entertaining dialogues are among the film’s strengths. While Krishna Saurabh’s music is decent, Arjun Raja’s cinematography is definitely serviceable.

Overall, Gurram Paapi Reddy does feel a bit overlong. However, in an era dominated by violent films filled with bloodshed, this film offers lighthearted comedy. If you’re looking for time-pass entertainment and a few good laughs, Gurram Paapi Reddy is worth a watch.