Arjun Chakravarthy, a Telugu sports drama inspired by real incidents, hit theatres on August 29, 2025. Directed by Vikranth Rudra, the film stars Vijay Rama Raju in the lead role, supported by Sija Rose, Harsh Roshan, Ajay, Ajay Ghosh, Dayanand Reddy, and Durgesh. With Kabaddi as its central theme, the film attempts to showcase the struggles of players during the late 80s and 90s.
Story:
Arjun Chakravarthy (Vijay Rama Raju), an orphan raised by ex-Kabaddi player Rangaiah (Dayanand Reddy), dreams of becoming a national-level player. His journey is filled with challenges, sacrifices, and a bittersweet love story with Devika (Sija Rose). But when he chooses the sport over love, everything changes. The rest of the film unravels how Arjun deals with heartbreak, personal struggles, and whether he fulfills his Kabaddi dream.
Performances:
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Vijay Rama Raju shines with his physical transformation and emotional intensity, convincingly portraying Arjun’s highs and lows.
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Dayanand Reddy as Rangaiah delivers a heartfelt performance.
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Ajay impresses as the coach.
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However, Sija Rose and some supporting characters are underutilized.
Highlights (Plus Points):
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Realistic presentation of Kabaddi in the 80s–90s.
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Strong emotional touch, especially in Arjun’s journey from addiction to redemption.
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Dialogues that strike a chord with the audience.
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Background score effectively elevates the drama.
Drawbacks (Minus Points):
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Slow and dragged screenplay in parts.
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Routine love track and unimpressive songs.
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Unrealistic Kabaddi sequences where the hero dominates opponents.
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Supporting characters are not used to their full potential.
Technical Aspects:
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Cinematography by Jagadeesh Cheekati is a big plus, recreating the vintage setting authentically.
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Music by Vignesh Baskaran falls flat in songs, though the background score works.
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Editing could have been sharper.
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Good production values maintain the period feel.
Verdict:
Arjun Chakravarthy is a partially engaging sports drama with a strong lead performance and emotional core, but falters with routine storytelling, dull songs, and a dragging pace. Sports drama lovers may find it watchable, but expectations need to be kept in check.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 2.75/5
