Political Voice news.com online news May 17th,2025: Director Raj R, known for critically acclaimed films like Mallesham and 8 AM Metro, returns with a bold and thought-provoking film titled ‘23 (Iravai Moodu)’. Drawing inspiration from three real-life incidents—the Chundur massacre, Chilakaluripet bus burning, and Jubilee Hills bomb blast—the film attempts to explore justice, societal disparities, and moral consequences.
Plot Summary:
Set in 1993 in Chilakaluripet, the story follows Sagar, a young man with dreams of starting a tiffin center and building a life with his beloved Susheela. However, a life-altering decision in pursuit of quick money leads to a catastrophic event where 23 innocent lives are lost in a bus burning. As Sagar ends up in jail, the film delves into his emotional turmoil, the judicial process, and the deeper question of what justice truly means.
Performances:
- Teja is convincing as Sagar, portraying guilt and emotion with finesse.
- Tanmai Khushi appears elegant and delivers a graceful performance.
- Pawon Ramesh brings authenticity to his role as Sagar’s friend.
- Praneeth, as the lawyer, impresses with his commanding screen presence and dialogue delivery.
- Jhansi, though in a limited role as a psychologist, makes a strong impact in the second half.
- Thagubothu Ramesh adds value in his brief appearance.
Technical Highlights:
- Realistic Cinematography by Sunny Kurapati captures the rural essence effectively.
- Background Score by Mark K Robin enhances emotional depth.
- Dialogues by Indus Martin are impactful and thought-provoking.
- Editing could have been crisper to avoid the occasional narrative lag.
- Situational Songs blend well with the film’s tone.
Analysis:
23 stands out for its realistic portrayal of crime, guilt, and justice. The film is unafraid to ask difficult questions about caste, power, and the legal system, especially how justice is perceived and delivered differently based on one’s social standing.
The second half gains momentum with Jhansi and the police investigation, adding layers to the narrative. Despite a slow-paced first half and some docudrama-style execution, the film’s intense storytelling and social relevance keep the audience engaged.
Verdict:
23 (Iravai Moodu) is a hard-hitting crime drama with a strong message and authentic performances. While not perfect in execution, it deserves a watch for its realistic storytelling, powerful dialogues, and social relevance. A commendable effort by Raj R that raises important questions and leaves the audience introspective.
Release Date: 16 May 2025
CBFC Rating: UA
Duration: 2h 15m
Cast: Teja, Tanmai Khushi, Jhansi, Pawon Ramesh, Thagubothu Ramesh, Praneeth
Director: Raj R
Producer: Venkat Siddareddy
Production Banners: Studio 99, Spirit Media
Cinematography: Sunny Kurapati
Music: Mark K Robin
Dialogues: Indus Martin
Editing: Anil Aalayam
Political Voice news.com Rating: 3/5
