8 Vasantalu, the new Telugu romantic drama from director Phanindra Narsetti, dropped in theaters on June 20, 2025, with a lot of buzz. Backed by Mythri Movie Makers and led by MAD star Ananthika Sanilkumar alongside newcomers Hanu Reddy and Ravi Duggirala, this coming-of-age love story promised a fresh, poetic vibe. With stunning visuals and a killer soundtrack, it looked like a slam dunk. But does it deliver? It’s a beautiful film that starts strong but fizzles out. Here’s a laid-back, honest take on what’s hot and what’s not.
The Story: Love Across Eight Springs
The movie follows Shuddhi Ayodhya (Ananthika Sanilkumar), a 17-year-old writer and martial arts whiz in Ooty, dealing with her dad’s death and pouring her heart into her words and punches. She meets Varun (Hanu Reddy), a rich, music-obsessed guy who falls for her hard. Their romance lights up the misty hills of Ooty and Kashmir, but life gets messy, leading to a breakup that shakes Shuddhi’s world. Enter Sanjay (Ravi Duggirala), another writer who sparks new feelings. Spanning 2013 to 2020, the film tracks Shuddhi’s journey through love, heartbreak, and finding herself, with “eight springs” symbolizing her emotional seasons.
It’s a cool idea, but the story leans so hard on pretty visuals that it sometimes forgets to dig deep.
What’s Awesome: Eye-Candy and Ananthika’s Fire
This movie is gorgeous. Cinematographer Vishwanath Reddy makes Ooty, Kashmir, and Varanasi look like a dream, with every shot feeling like it belongs on a postcard. The first half, especially, pops with that Mani Ratnam-level glow. Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music is a total vibe—his songs and score carry the feels, even when the story drags. Fans are calling the visuals and music “straight-up magic,” and they’re not wrong.
Ananthika Sanilkumar is the real deal. She’s only 17 but owns Shuddhi with a mix of grit and grace, kicking butt in action scenes and breaking your heart in quiet moments. Her big speech before the interval about dignity in breakups and a gut-punch funeral scene calling out patriarchy are total standouts. Hanu Reddy’s Varun is super likable, and their chemistry makes the early romance feel warm and real. Some lines, like “We’re here to live, not just exist,” hit you right in the feels.
What’s Not: Slow and Stuck in the Past
Here’s where it gets tricky. 8 Vasantalu starts off slow but picks up when the romance kicks in. Then the second half just… stalls. It feels like it’s dragging its feet, and the story starts to seem like something from a 90s romance flick. Shuddhi’s journey is solid, but Sanjay’s character feels half-baked, and Ravi Duggirala’s performance doesn’t quite click. The love triangle is predictable, and the “big twist” lands with a thud. The dialogues can be deep one minute and way too preachy the next, like they’re trying too hard to sound profound.
The editing could’ve been snappier—some scenes linger way too long, and the second half feels like a soap opera with extra melodrama. Fans have called it “boring” after a strong start and said the story feels “outdated” for today’s crowd. It’s like the movie wants to be modern but can’t shake that old-school vibe.
The Vibe: Love It or Meh
The buzz is mixed. People are loving Ananthika’s “firecracker” performance and the “gorgeous” visuals, with some saying the dialogues pack a punch. But most agree it falls apart after a promising first half, with gripes about the “weak” second act and “off” casting for Sanjay. It’s sitting at about 2 to 2.25 out of 5 stars, and box office numbers are looking soft so far. It’s banking on family crowds to pick up, but the slow pace might keep folks away.
Why It Misses the Mark
8 Vasantalu wants to be a poetic, new-age love story, and you can feel Phanindra Narsetti’s heart in it—his short film Madhuram showed he’s got a knack for sweet stories. But after the so-so Manu (2018), this feels like another swing that doesn’t quite connect. The feminist bits, like Shuddhi standing up to patriarchy, are cool but feel tacked on, and the romance doesn’t hit as hard as it should in a world where love stories need to feel fresh and real.
Final Take: Looks Good, Feels Okay
8 Vasantalu is a beautiful-looking film with a star-making turn from Ananthika Sanilkumar and some moments that’ll tug at your heart. But the sluggish pace, dated storytelling, and weak second half make it tough to love. If you’re into dreamy visuals and don’t mind a slow burn, it’s worth a shot. Otherwise, it’s a pretty miss that doesn’t quite bloom. Phanindra’s got talent, but he’s still chasing that big win.
Rating: 2.25/5 Stars