Santhana Prapthirasthu Review and Rating: A Refreshingly Bold Film From Chandini Chowdary, Vikranth and Sanjeev Reddy
Santhana Prapthirasthu is one of those modest Telugu films that walks in quietly but surprises you with the subject it chooses to unpack. Led by Vikranth and Chandini Chowdary, the film attempts something tricky—discussing male infertility without slipping into melodrama. Instead, it chooses humour as its armour, and for the most part, it works.
A Story Rooted in Simplicity
Chaitanya (Vikranth) is a shy, soft-spoken techie from Hyderabad, someone who goes unnoticed until you realise he’s observing everything. His accidental encounter with Kalyani (Chandini Chowdary) spirals into a sweet romance that leads to marriage—much to the displeasure of her stern father.
Life flips for the newlyweds when Chaitanya discovers he has a drastically low sperm count. What follows is a mix of tension, embarrassment, societal judgment, and surprisingly, genuine humour. The biggest hurdle isn't the diagnosis but Kalyani’s overbearing father, who adds more friction than the couple’s actual problem.
Where the Film Shines
The film’s biggest win is its tone. Despite dealing with a sensitive theme, Santhana Prapthirasthu stays clean, family-friendly, and avoids cheap jokes. The humour feels grounded in real situations, making it easy to laugh without guilt.
Muralidhar Goud as the hypercritical father-in-law is an absolute riot—his expressions, his taunts, even his unreasonable paranoia keep the film lively. Abhinav Gomatam provides solid support, elevating several scenes effortlessly.
Vikranth delivers one of his more mature performances, portraying insecurity and vulnerability with subtlety. Chandini Chowdary anchors the emotional beats beautifully, ensuring the narrative doesn’t drift into pure comedy.
Where It Stumbles
While the humour lands well, the emotional depth arrives a little too late. The shift from light-hearted banter to a more serious tone in the final portions feels abrupt, as though the film suddenly remembered its theme needed gravitas. The early portions also suffer from slow editing and predictable romantic tropes that slightly dent the pacing.
Technical Take
Sunil Kashyap’s music is soothing and functional, while the cinematography keeps things simple and uncluttered. Director Sanjeev Reddy deserves credit for approaching an under-discussed topic with sensitivity and levity. A deeper emotional dive would've strengthened the narrative, but the comedic approach certainly gives the film broader appeal.
Final Verdict
Santhana Prapthirasthu isn’t a heavy drama — it’s a breezy entertainer laced with a socially relevant core. Thanks to strong performances and well-placed comedy, it manages to keep you engaged even when the emotional beats falter. It's a pleasant weekend watch for anyone looking for a clean, uncomplicated film with a fresh theme.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
