‘Itllu Arjuna’ movie review: Aniesh, Anaswara Rajan’s film is a contrived action-romance

The much-publicised Telugu film Itllu Arjuna, helmed by debut director Mahesh Uppala, is designed to be a slick showreel for newcomer Aniesh. Yet, for a conventional launchpad, it is relatively grounded, stylish and lightweight. The action-romance follows two young, lovestruck protagonists: a speech-impaired boy and a spirited medical student, as they navigate a high-stakes situation.

Director Mahesh Uppala: ‘Itllu Arjuna’ is a new-age commercial entertainer storyline 1 Itllu Arjuna’s storytelling has an assured, easy-going rhythm. Cinematographer Raja Mahadhevan lights up every frame with enthusiasm. Even a speck of dust has a symmetry to it, carefully orchestrated to add to the film’s visual appeal.

The drama is gentle, the humour just about tolerable, and the romance generic. No sequence is blown out of proportion. Arjun (Aniesh) may be non-verbal, but he is the know-it-all too.