Evaru

Evaru (2019): A Twisty Telugu Crime Thriller With Its Own Identity

Evaru (Telugu: ఎవరు, meaning “Who”) is a 2019 Telugu-language crime thriller film directed by Venkat Ramji. It stars Adivi Sesh, Regina Cassandra, Naveen Chandra, and Murali Sharma. The movie is a loose adaptation of the 2016 Spanish film The Invisible Guest (Contratiempo), with added subplots that distinguish it from the Hindi remake Badla (2019).

A corrupt sub-inspector (Adivi Sesh) investigates the murder of a high-ranking police officer, allegedly killed by his rape victim (Regina Cassandra) in self-defense. What starts as an open-and-shut case spirals into a web of lies, surprises, and twists as deeper truths emerge.

Key Details

• Release Date: August 15, 2019
• Runtime: Approximately 118 minutes
• Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
• Reception: Praised for its gripping screenplay, performances (especially Adivi Sesh and Regina Cassandra), sharp editing, and unexpected twists. Many viewers and critics consider it superior to Badla due to its original additions, though some note minor narrative gaps.

Director: Venkat Ramji
Main Cast: Adivi Sesh (as Corrupt Inspector Vikram Vasudev / Aadarsh Varma), Regina Cassandra (as Sameera Maha), Naveen Chandra (as DSP Ashok Krishna), Murali Sharma (in a supporting role)
Availability of Subtitles: Yes, English subtitles are widely available on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video, plus downloadable SRT files from sites like OpenSubtitles and SUBDL.

Director Venkat Ramji, making his debut, takes the base idea from the Spanish hit The Invisible Guest (Contratiempo, 2016) and reshapes it with local details and fresh turns. Even if you know the original or the Hindi remake Badla, this one still finds ways to surprise.

High-pressure exchange in one room

The film opens with a case that looks simple. Sameera (Regina Cassandra), a successful businesswoman, is accused of killing DSP Ashok Krishna (Naveen Chandra). She says he tried to assault her in a hotel room. With time running out before court, she turns to Vikram Vasudev (Adivi Sesh), a sub-inspector with a dirty reputation. His job is to prep her story and help her survive what comes next. Most of the movie plays out as a tight, high-pressure exchange in one room, with flashbacks that keep shifting what you think you know.

Ramji keeps the direction controlled and focused. The film skips the usual add-ons like songs, comedy bits, and loud action breaks. The suspense comes from the dialogue and the shifting versions of events. As Vikram pushes Sameera, he spots gaps, challenges details, and rebuilds the timeline piece by piece. The script also moves away from the template in key ways, adding angles tied to family loss and personal payback. The final stretch lands with a strong punch, and the twists feel earned across the 118-minute runtime.

Fear, control, and anger

Adivi Sesh, who also co-wrote the screenplay, is a strong fit for Vikram. He plays him as sharp and hard to read, which keeps you watching his every move. Regina Cassandra carries a lot of the weight as Sameera. She moves between fear, control, and anger in a way that feels real, and her later scenes are some of her best work. Naveen Chandra makes a mark in a limited time, and Murali Sharma adds steady support.

On the technical side, Evaru looks and sounds solid. Vamsi Patchipulusu’s cinematography makes great use of the rainy Coonoor setting and builds a dark, tense mood. Garry BH’s editing stays tight, so the non-linear story stays clear. Sricharan Pakala’s background score raises the tension without drowning out the conversations.

It isn’t perfect. A few plot beats rely on convenience, and some supporting parts feel uneven. Still, those issues don’t take much away from the overall ride. Compared to Badla, which sticks closer to the original, Evaru makes bigger changes and commits to them. The added emotional weight gives the ending a stronger payoff.

With an iBomma rating of 8.1/10 and solid reviews (around 3 to 3.5 out of 5 from outlets like Times of India and Firstpost), Evaru earns its place among the better Telugu thriller films of the last few years. It rewards close attention, keeps the truth just out of reach, and holds on to its tension until the last moments. If you like twist-driven mysteries like Andhadhun or Drishyam, this one belongs on your watchlist, especially with English subtitles if you don’t speak Telugu.

Trending:

Athadu Movie Review: A Hitman’s Journey to Redemption