Cast: Nithiin, Sreeleela, Rajendra Prasad, Vennela Kishore, Lal, Shine Tom Chacko, Subhalekha Sudhakar, Aadukalam Naren, Shiju, Brahmaji, Devadatta Nage and others
Music: GV Prakash Kumar
Cinematography: Sai Sriram
Producers: Naveen Yerneni, Y Ravi Shankar
Story, Screenplay, Dialogues, Director: Venky Kudumula
Release date: March 28, 2025
Rating: 2/5
Nithiin and director Venky Kudumula, who previously delivered the hit Bheeshma, have reunited for Robinhood, which was finally released today after multiple delays. Sreeleela, who previously starred alongside Nithiin in the flop Extraordinary Man, plays the female lead once again. The film is produced by the renowned Mythri Movie Makers and marks the acting debut of popular cricketer David Warner. The team’s aggressive promotions built curiosity around the film. Here’s how the story unfolds.
Story:
Ram, alias Robinhood (Nithiin), is an orphan who grew up in an orphanage. Determined to help other orphanages, he turns into Robinhood—stealing from the wealthy and distributing the money to those in need. Meanwhile, a determined police officer (Shine Tom Chacko) is on a mission to capture Robinhood.
On the other hand, billionaire NRI and AV Pharma Company chairman Abhinav Vasudev’s (Shiju) daughter, Neera (Sreeleela), who lives in Australia, visits her grandfather’s (Lal) village, Rudrakonda. However, the village has been taken over by a ruthless man named Saami (Devadatta Nage), who cultivates ganja plants there. No one can enter or leave the village without his permission. Neera is determined to step into this village with the help of the No.1 Security Person (Rajendra Prasad).
What brings Neera to the small village of Rudrakonda, and what is its connection to the pharma company? Why does Ram accompany her? How is drug kingpin David (David Warner) involved in all of this? To find out the answers, you’ll have to watch the film.
Analysis:
Director Venky Kudumula, known for hits like Chalo and Bheeshma, is usually strong in writing, so audiences expected at least a decent film from him. However, to everyone’s surprise, Robinhood follows a predictable, formulaic story that offers little beyond a few entertaining moments.
The concept of robbing the rich to help the poor has been explored multiple times in cinema, and unfortunately, Venky Kudumula fails to present it in an engaging manner. The film’s promotions, which featured witty punchlines and fun interviews, built intrigue, but it seems the same level of effort was not put into the screenplay. After a five-year gap, one would expect the director to deliver a film with either strong storytelling or solid entertainment value. However, he falls short on both fronts.
Nithiin’s character steals money as Robinhood, yet the film doesn’t showcase his heists in an interesting way. Instead of strong content, the film relies heavily on over-the-top cinematic moments. The first half lacks a solid narrative, focusing primarily on Nithiin’s character and his interactions with Sreeleela.
The second half introduces multiple twists, but the film is bogged down by tedious action sequences. While Rajendra Prasad and Vennela Kishore manage to deliver a few laughs, their comedy feels outdated. Both actors have played similar roles in many films, offering nothing fresh.
Another drawback is the film’s overreliance on non-Telugu actors. Despite casting multiple actors from other industries, their performances add little to the film. Many of them lack expression, and their high-pitched dubbed voices feel unnatural. Lal, Shine Tom Chacko, Devadatta Nage, Shiju, Aadukalam Naren, and Mime Gopi are present but do not contribute meaningfully to the narrative.
The film’s predictable storyline is further weakened by its forgettable soundtrack. The only noteworthy song is the special number, Adhi Dha Surprise, which originally contained vulgar dance moves but was toned down thanks to Telangana Women Commission Chairman Sarada Nerella. The rest of the songs fail to leave an impact.
Performances:
Nithiin fits well into his role as Ram/Robinhood, portraying an intellectual character rather than a mass-action hero. Sreeleela, however, is reduced to simply walking around in glamorous outfits, with no depth to her character. In hindsight, it was fortunate that Rashmika Mandanna opted out of this film due to scheduling conflicts.
Rajendra Prasad, a veteran actor, plays a role he has done countless times before, bringing nothing new to the table. Vennela Kishore, while providing a few comic moments, delivers a performance similar to his previous films. Subhalekha Sudhakar makes another regular appearance, which is a positive, but the Malayalam actors—Lal, Shine Tom Chacko, and Shiju—fail to impress. Devadatta Nage plays the villain convincingly, looking menacing on screen. Other actors like Aadukalam Naren, Shiju, Brahmaji, and Mime Gopi play minor roles, while Ketika Sharma adds some glamor in the special song.
Technical Aspects:
GV Prakash Kumar’s music is a major letdown, with none of the songs standing out. On the other hand, Sai Sriram’s cinematography is commendable, capturing the visuals effectively. However, Venky Kudumula, who is known for his strong writing, disappoints with a screenplay filled with clichéd dialogues and a lack of originality.
Verdict:
Robinhood offers nothing new, as Venky Kudumula sticks to a generic formula that ultimately disappoints. Weak music, an uninspiring narrative, and only a handful of laugh-worthy moments make this film a letdown. For Nithiin and Sreeleela, this film is unlikely to work in their favour.
