8 Vasantalu (2025) Movie Movierulz

8 Vasantalu, directed by Phanindra Narsetti, is the latest Telugu release featuring MAD fame Ananthika Sanilkumar in the lead role. The title meaning 8 Springs represents a coming-of-age romance drama that spans eight years of love and personal transformation. The film is produced by Naveen Yerneni & Y Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers, with music by Hesham Abdul Wahab and cinematography by Viswanath Reddy.

Director Phanindra Narisetty, who previously created a good impression with his short film Madhuram and the feature film Manu, brings his technical brilliance and writing abilities to this latest venture. The film features a talented cast including Ananthika Sanilkumar, Hanu Reddy, Ravi Theja Duggirala, Kanna Pasunoori, and Sumanth Nitturkar.

Plot and Storyline

The story follows Shuddhi, a writer and martial artist who grows up in Ooty with her mother after losing her army father. She channels her grief through writing and experiences love and heartbreak with Varun, leading to personal transformation. Spanning from 2013 to 2020, the film chronicles eight years of love in the life of a boy who begins meeting her regularly.

Suddhi Ayodhya is portrayed as a 17-year-old girl living in Ooty, and the narrative explores her emotional journey. The film attempts to capture the essence of young love while dealing with deeper themes of grief, family relationships, and personal growth.

Ananthika Sanilkumar Shines Bright

Ananthika Sanilkumar delivers a standout performance in a role filled with emotional depth and complexity. Despite being just 17 when she signed the film, she portrays Suddhi with striking maturity. Her expressive eyes, graceful presence, and natural charm leave a lasting impression.

I found her portrayal of Suddhi showcasing remarkable range for a young actress. The authenticity she brings to her role becomes the film’s strongest asset, making her character’s emotional journey believable and engaging.

Supporting Cast Falls Short

The chemistry between Ananthika & Hanu Reddy works well in certain sequences, particularly from the bus stop scene onwards. However, the casting of one of the three main leads misfired big time. The director failed to pick up suitable actors for the roles he has written.

The film suffers from what I can describe as a casting failure. This becomes particularly problematic in the second half, where certain characters lack the screen presence required for their roles.

Visual Excellence Meets Story Problems

The film has a surreal visual texture, with cinematography by Viswanath Reddy, and offers stunning visuals. The visual treatment is undoubtedly the film’s strongest technical aspect, creating a dreamlike quality that complements the romantic narrative.

The color palette and visual aesthetics effectively support the emotional tone of different sequences. The technical crew’s attention to visual detail is evident throughout, making it a treat for viewers who appreciate cinematographic excellence.

Music That Works

Hesham Abdul Wahab’s musical contribution adds another layer of appeal to the film. The music enhances the chemistry between the lead characters and supports the romantic sequences effectively. The background score complements the visual narrative, though it occasionally feels overwhelming.

Direction and Pacing Issues

Director Phanindra Narsetti’s ambitious vision is evident throughout the film, but the execution falls short of expectations. The story has a lot to unpack, but the balance doesn’t come through effectively. While his technical brilliance is apparent in the visual treatment, the narrative coherence suffers.

The movie’s editing and narrative are too choppy, with sluggish pacing becoming a major drawback. The second half of the film is completely slow paced, with subplots that are incomplete and the film lacks emotional connect.

What Works

The film’s primary strength lies in its visual appeal and Ananthika Sanilkumar’s powerful performance. The film picks up pace from the bus stop sequence, showing that certain portions work effectively when the elements align properly.

The cinematography and production values are commendable, creating a visually rich experience. The music and background score add emotional depth to key sequences, particularly in the first half.

What Doesn’t Work

The second half fails to impress the audience and falls flat. The major issues I noticed include casting choices where the director failed to pick suitable actors for certain key roles.

The sluggish pacing and outdated storytelling make the film a tiresome experience. The subplots are incomplete and the film lacks emotional connect, particularly in the second half. The film also lacks contemporary relevance, making it feel dated.

Critics and Audience Response

The film has received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences alike. 123Telugu.com gave the film a rating of 2.5/5, highlighting the film’s visual strengths while criticizing its narrative weaknesses.

Critics noted that while the film offers stunning visuals and a few engaging moments, it ultimately falls short due to its slow narration. Most reviews praised Ananthika Sanilkumar’s performance while pointing out the film’s structural issues and pacing problems.

The film currently holds a 7.7 rating on IMDb, though audience feedback consistently points out the pacing issues and weak second half as major drawbacks. The film’s attempt at creating an epic love story has been appreciated by some viewers, but the execution has left many unsatisfied.

Final Thoughts

8 Vasantalu is a film that showcases the potential of its lead actress and the visual expertise of its technical team. However, it ultimately falters due to weak writing, poor casting choices, and significant pacing issues.

While it offers moments of visual beauty and emotional depth, particularly in Ananthika Sanilkumar’s performance, the film fails to create a cohesive viewing experience. The film serves as a reminder that visual excellence alone cannot compensate for fundamental storytelling flaws.

For viewers who appreciate cinematographic excellence and are interested in seeing a promising young actress’s performance, the film might offer some value. However, those seeking a well-rounded romantic drama with strong narrative coherence might find themselves disappointed.

Rating: 3/5