Ante Sundaraniki

“Ante Sundaraniki”: A Joyfully Messy Rom-Com Where Love Runs on Little White Lies

Telugu cinema often grabs attention with big action, loud punchlines, and larger-than-life heroes. However, Ante Sundaraniki (2022) goes in a different direction. It brings a tightly written romantic comedy that finds humor in everyday family pressure. Directed by Vivek Athreya and led by Nani and Nazriya Nazim Fahadh, the film doesn’t depend on hype alone. Instead, it wins with clever setups, cultural push and pull, and a sharp sense of timing.

After Athreya’s earlier hit Brochevarevarura, expectations were high. Still, this film delivers. It tells an interfaith love story with heart, while also laughing at how far people will go to protect tradition and save face.

A Story Powered by Lies, Luck, and One Problem After Another

At the center of Ante Sundaraniki (roughly, “The Thing About Sundar Is…”) is Sundar (Nani). He’s a soft-spoken man raised in an orthodox Telugu Brahmin family. He falls for Leela (Nazriya Nazim), a confident Christian woman from a strict home of her own. They love each other, yet religion and family rules turn marriage into a minefield.

So they pick the easier route, at least at first. They lie.

Sundar tries to coach Leela in Brahmin customs so his family will accept her. At the same time, Leela plays her own version of the game with her parents. What starts as a manageable plan quickly turns into a chain of bigger lies, tighter corners, and close calls. As a result, the movie stays lively because each decision creates a new mess.

Athreya’s script does the heavy lifting. It takes the usual rom-com idea of strict parents and pushes it into a full-blown comedy of errors. The twists don’t feel random, because one lie naturally leads to the next. Also, the film comments on identity, family image, and quiet prejudice, but it never turns into a lecture. Instead, the humor makes the point for you.

Yes, the runtime sits close to three hours. Some viewers will feel it. Even so, the pacing holds up more often than not. The flashbacks add context, the training bits build the tension, and the eventual collapse of the whole plan lands because the movie earns it.

Strong Performances That Make the Chaos Work

Nani brings a sweet, stressed-out energy to Sundar. He plays the character with sincerity, which makes the lies funny without making him unlikable. When Sundar scrambles through rituals or invents excuses on the spot, Nani’s timing keeps the scenes sharp. Just as important, his chemistry with Nazriya feels natural. It’s warm and lived-in, which helps the romance feel real.

Nazriya makes a great Telugu debut as Leela. She gives the role humor, emotion, and backbone. Leela doesn’t exist just to react to Sundar. Instead, she matches him step for step, and sometimes she’s the smarter one in the room. Because of that, the relationship feels balanced, not one-sided.

The supporting cast adds even more flavor. Rohini stands out as Sundar’s mother, mixing strict tradition with small, human moments. V.K. Naresh brings a steady presence as the father, along with quiet comedy. Meanwhile, the extended family and friends keep the world busy and believable. Leela’s family also works well, since their conservative Christian home mirrors Sundar’s differently. That parallel adds a lot to the film’s humor.

Craft and Detail That Support the Comedy

Cinematographer Niketh Bommi frames both families with care. Sundar’s home feels ordered and ritual-heavy, while Leela’s world carries a different kind of faith and color. Production design by Latha Naidu adds texture too, from puja essentials to church details, so the setting feels grounded.

Vivek Sagar’s music stays mostly in the background, which helps. The songs fit the mood without taking over, and the score builds tension during the funniest moments. Editing by Ravi Teja Girijala also keeps scenes moving, even when the story takes its time. In addition, the comedy relies more on situations and dialogue than slapstick, which feels refreshing for a Telugu rom-com.

Where It Stumbles a Bit

The movie isn’t flawless. A few sections run longer than they need to, especially when the joke is already clear. Also, the plot asks you to accept some far-fetched decisions. Still, the playful tone makes those stretches easier to forgive.

Some viewers also debated how certain communities are shown, and a few felt parts leaned on stereotypes. Even so, the film mostly plays it as gentle satire. By the end, it pushes empathy over judgment.

Why “Ante Sundaraniki” Still Stands Out

Even with its familiar setup, Ante Sundaraniki feels different because it treats the characters like real people. It also shows how family pressure works in small, everyday ways, not just through loud fights. The film grossed over Rs. 45 crore worldwide on a modest budget, which shows audiences responded to the writing and performances. Later, its run on OTT platforms like Netflix helped it reach more viewers, and many praised its rewatch value.

Most importantly, it entertains while saying something honest. It’s about love that crosses labels, families that slowly change, and the fear that drives people to lie. For a post-pandemic audience looking for comfort viewing with some substance, it hits the mark.

Final Verdict

Vivek Athreya delivers a romantic comedy that’s funny, sweet, and smart without trying too hard. Nani and Nazriya anchor the story with charm, and the script keeps the chaos fun. If you want a Telugu rom-com with strong performances, cultural comedy, and a real emotional core, Ante Sundaraniki is an easy pick.

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