Paanch Minar Movie Review: An enjoyable Raj Tarun film after a long time

Raj Tarun, once considered one of the most promising young talents in Telugu cinema, has had a long, difficult stretch with his career. After delivering three consecutive hits at the beginning of his journey, many believed that he would be the next big star to rise in Tollywood. But a mix of poor script choices, back-to-back flops, and unfortunate controversies pushed the actor into a rough phase. Some of his recent films released silently, disappeared without a trace and barely found any recognition. Raj Tarun badly needed a film that would bring him back into the conversation — if not as a star, at least as a bankable actor who can deliver a decent entertainer. And then Paanch Minar happens.

Director: Raj Kudumula

Cast: Raj Tarun, Rashi Singh, Brahmaji, Ajay Ghosh, Nanda Gopal, Nitin Prasanna

Directed by debutant Ram Kudumula, the film explores a relatable theme — people using shortcuts to success and ending up in chaos because of their choices. This is a subject many young viewers will connect with. Paanch Minar revolves around Krishna Chaitanya, aka Kittu (Raj Tarun), a youngster who dreams big but works very little, constantly looking for ways to make a quick buck. His girlfriend Khyathi (Rashi Singh), however, wants him to settle in a proper job so she can convince her father about their marriage, Kittu finds work as a cab driver, and to gain incentives from the company and sympathy from customers, he pretends to be deaf.

Life moves on smoothly until one fateful day Kittu witnesses a murder executed by two contract killers (Nanda Gopal and Aziz Nazar). The killers plan to eliminate him too, but Kittu luckily escapes. Meanwhile, an encounter specialist (Nithin Prasanna) traces the events back to Kittu. At the same time, a batch of local goons is also searching for him. To make things worse, the killers resume their hunt for Kittu. Now, with multiple groups closing in, how Kittu saves himself and protects his family forms the rest of the story.

Debut director Ram Kudumula keeps things simple but entertaining, ensuring the film moves at a brisk pace without dragging. The story is not new — the youngster wants easy money, lies to everyone, and gets trapped in trouble — but the treatment is lively and humorous. Ram Kudumula also scores high in the writing department, ensuring that humour is blended with the narrative organically. Kittu’s lies to his girlfriend, his parents, and even his boss are highlighted in a comical way. The transition from comedy to thriller — when the killers enter the story — is handled neatly. From that moment, the film becomes a fun cat-and-mouse chase and never loses its light tone.

The director also keeps the romance short and to the point. He doesn’t waste time on unnecessary songs or melodrama between them. Instead, he directly establishes the relationship between Kittu and Khyathi and moves ahead with the plot. The screenplay is tight for the most part, and the 2-hour-14-minute runtime feels comfortable. The scenes involving Ajay Ghosh’s gang and Brahmaji and his family are among the biggest highlights of the film — their interactions generate consistent laughs. Sekhar Chandra’s background music supports the mood perfectly, and the songs, although not chartbusters, are pleasant. Aditya Javvadi’s cinematography gives the film a clean visual tone.

Among the cast members, Raj Tarun shines the most. This film truly feels like a return to his earlier charm. His comic timing, expressions, and dialogue delivery remind us of the energetic performer we saw in the initial phase of his career. He carries the film with ease and anchors the narrative well.

Rashi Singh looks pretty, fits her role comfortably, and performs well within the scope of her character. Brahmaji, as Kittu’s father, is outstanding. His timing is impeccable, and he effortlessly brings humour into every scene he appears in. Nanda Gopal and Aziz Nazar as the killers are effective. Ajay Ghosh, with his commanding presence, gets a strong role and dominates many scenes. His comedic exchanges elevate the second half. Fish Venkat, in what's become his final film due to his unfortunate passing, delivers his trademark humour. Nithin Prasanna makes a strong impression as the encounter specialist. Srinivas Reddy and Sudarshan provide additional laughs.

Paanch Minar is not a path-breaking film, nor does it attempt to be one, but it is definitely a breath of fresh air for both Raj and his audience. It’s a well-intended film made with the audience’s entertainment in mind. It doesn’t aim to be a high-intensity thriller or a heavy drama — it simply wants to give you a fun time, and it succeeds. Though there are a few drawbacks, it never bores the audience. With a crisp runtime, steady humour, and a decent mix of thrills, it works well as a stress-buster. After a long gap, Raj Tarun finally gets a film that is not only watchable but also enjoyable. If he continues choosing scripts like this, his comeback won’t be far away. With this film, he finally has a lighthearted entertainer that gives him the break he has been waiting for.