Cast: Kireeti, Genelia Deshmukh, Sreeleela, Ravichandran, Rao Ramesh, Viva Harsha, Sudha Rani, Satya, and others
Music Director: Devi Sri Prasad
Cinematographer: KK Senthil Kumar
Producer: Rajani Korrapati
Director: Radhakrishna Reddy
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Rating: 2/5
Suresh Kavirayani
Kireeti Reddy, son of controversial politician Gali Janardhan Reddy, makes his film debut with Junior. Directed by Radhakrishna Reddy, the film is backed by noted producer Korrapati Sai under the Varahi Chalana Chitram banner. To launch Kireeti in style, the makers roped in some of the industry’s top technicians and actors. Music is composed by Devi Sri Prasad, and cinematography is handled by KK Senthil Kumar. Sreeleela plays the female lead, while Genelia Deshmukh appears in a key role. V. Ravichandran and Rao Ramesh also play significant parts. Here’s how it unfolds:
Story:
Kodandapani (Ravichandran) lives in Vizianagaram with his wife Syamala (Sudha Rani). When Syamala becomes pregnant at the age of 45, the couple faces ridicule from the villagers, forcing Kodandapani to leave the village. Syamala dies during childbirth, and Kodandapani raises their son Abhi (Kireeti Reddy) with love and affection.
While pursuing graduation, Abhi falls in love with Spoorthi (Sreeleela). After completing his degree, he joins a company where he immediately crosses paths with its soon-to-be CEO, Vijaya Soujanya (Genelia). Soujanya assigns him to an insignificant file-handling section. However, Abhi discovers discrepancies in the accounts, particularly involving Vizianagaram. Soujanya, who despises both Abhi and his village, is then forced—due to unforeseen circumstances—to travel there.
Why does Soujanya hate the village? What’s her connection to Abhi? Do Kodandapani and the company owners (Rao Ramesh) share a past? To find out, you’ll have to watch Junior.
Analysis:
Director Radhakrishna Reddy shoulders the responsibility of launching Kireeti, but as is often the case with star kid debuts, the film focuses solely on showcasing the hero—neglecting basic storytelling, screenplay, and emotional depth.
Surprisingly, Junior took nearly three years to complete, yet the story feels like a khichdi—a messy blend of ideas pulled from previous hits like Srimanthudu and Maharshi. It’s clear the script is designed entirely around Kireeti’s strengths in dancing and action. The first half revolves around college scenes, romance, songs, and fights.
There’s a glimmer of interest when Genelia’s character takes center stage, but even her role is poorly written. The second half unfolds in a series of loosely connected, cinematic episodes without any solid story progression.
One of the most glaring flaws is how Sreeleela’s character, Spoorthi—who plays a significant part in the first half—is completely forgotten in the second. Despite being the reason Abhi joins the company, she vanishes entirely, save for an appearance in the “Viral Vayyari” song, added just days before the film’s release. It appears her absence was deliberate—possibly to keep the spotlight on Kireeti.
While the first half focuses solely on Kireeti’s abilities, the second half had potential for emotional depth—but that too is mishandled. The film ends up feeling like a patchwork of older Telugu movies. And when a film fails to resonate, every flaw becomes obvious—and this one has plenty.
The storytelling remains formulaic, lacking freshness. The brother-sister sentiment falls flat, and even the father-son bond fails to strike an emotional chord. Junior ends up being a vehicle just to highlight Kireeti’s dancing and action skills. But that alone isn’t enough for a debutant who wants to grow as an actor. Big budgets, popular technicians, and star cast can’t make up for weak writing—and this film proves it.
Performances:
Kireeti clearly put in the effort for his debut. His dancing is impressive, especially in the songs, and he performs well in action sequences—particularly the college fight scene. However, he still has a long way to go in expressing emotions and developing on-screen depth.
Sreeleela appears briefly in a few scenes and songs. While she looks glamorous and beautiful, her role is sadly underused. Ravichandran, as Abhi’s father, delivers a passable performance, though his character might not appeal much to Telugu audiences.
Genelia Deshmukh returns to Telugu cinema with grace and style. Though her role is weakly written, she gives it her best. It’s refreshing to see her back on screen after a long time. Rao Ramesh, as always, brings credibility and performs with ease. Satya and Viva Harsha offer a few scattered laughs. The supporting cast does what’s required.
Technical Aspects:
Devi Sri Prasad’s music is one of the film’s redeeming features. The “Viral Vayyari” track is a standout—thanks to energetic choreography and the lead pair’s vibrant dancing. But strong music alone can’t save a film with a weak plot.
KK Senthil Kumar’s cinematography elevates the visual appeal and adds polish. Avinash Kolla’s production design is noteworthy. Dialogues are decent.
Verdict:
Junior serves only as a launchpad for Kireeti, showcasing his talent in dance and action. The story, however, is a rehash of familiar themes with no emotional resonance. Sreeleela is sidelined, and even experienced actors and top-tier technicians can’t salvage the film. It’s a missed opportunity.
