Paradha (2025 Film)
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Paradha (2025 Film)
Paradha is a 2025 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film that explores themes of women’s empowerment, cultural traditions, and societal norms in a rural setting.
Directed by Praveen Kandregula, who co-wrote the screenplay with Poojitha Sreekanti and Prahaas Boppudi, the film is produced by Ananda Media. It features a strong female-led narrative and has been praised for breaking away from mainstream Telugu cinema tropes.
Plot Summary
The story centers on Subbu (played by Anupama Parameswaran), a young woman from a remote village where women are required to wear veils (paradha) to ward off an ancient curse.
Her life takes a dramatic turn when her veiled face accidentally appears in a magazine, thrusting her into the spotlight and sparking rumours, including threats of Sati (an archaic practice). As city visitors challenge the village’s superstitions, Subbu embarks on a journey of self-discovery, questioning customs, investigating the curse’s origins, and fighting to reclaim her dignity. The narrative blends mysticism, humour, and emotional depth, highlighting sisterhood and resistance against patriarchal restrictions.
| Role/Department | Key Contributors |
|---|---|
| Director | Praveen Kandregula |
| Writers | Praveen Kandregula, Poojitha Sreekanti, Prahaas Boppudi |
| Lead Actress (Subbu) | Anupama Parameswaran |
| Supporting Actress | Darshana Rajendran (Telugu debut) |
| Supporting Actress | Sangeetha Krish |
| Other Cast | Ananya Mohan, Gautham Menon, Rajendra Prasad |
| Music Composer | Gopi Sundar |
| Runtime | 2 hours 20 minutes–2 hours 25 minutes |
| Rating | UA 16+ |
Release and Availability
- Theatrical Release: August 22, 2025 (in Telugu and dubbed Malayalam versions).
- OTT Release: September 12, 2025, on Amazon Prime Video (available in Telugu and Malayalam audio with English subtitles).
- The film underperformed at the box office despite generating buzz with its trailer and themes, but it has been noted for potential resonance on streaming platforms due to its socially conscious content.
Reception
Paradha received mixed to positive reviews, with an IMDb rating of 7.9/10. Critics appreciated its bold take on feminism and cultural critique, calling it an “honest attempt” and a “powerful transformative journey,” though some noted pacing issues in the second half and a hurried climax. Audience feedback highlights the impactful first half, strong performances (especially by Anupama and Darshana), and its emotional core, with one review summing it up as “a rare, brave film that deserves to be celebrated.” It opened to mixed box office results but is expected to find a wider audience on OTT.