Movie: Euphoria
Rating: 2.25/5
Banner: Gunaa Team Works
Cast: Bhumika Chawla, Sara Arjun, Nassar, Rohith, Vignesh Gavireddy, Likhita Yalamanchali, Addala Prudhviraj, Kalpa Latha, Sai Srinika Reddy, Ashrita Vemuganti, Mathew Varghese, Aadarsh Balakrishna, Ravi Prakash, Naveena Reddy, Likith Naidu and others
Music: Kaala Bhairava
Dialogues: Nagendra Kasi, Krishna Hari
DOP: Praveen K Pothan
Editor: Prawin Pudi
Art: Srinivas Kalinga
Producers: Neelima Guna, Yuktha Guna
Story, screenplay and Directed by: Gunasekhar
Release Date: Feb 06, 2026
After a brief hiatus, popular director Gunasekhar returns with a new film. The presence of Bhumika Chawla in the central role, along with Dhurandhar fame Sara Arjun in a key part, adds to the film’s appeal.
Let’s see whether Gunasekhar succeeds in weaving magic with this youthful drama.
Story:
Vindhya (Bhumika), a wealthy and principled college principal, files an appeal in the Telangana High Court, seeking to prosecute herself. As even the judge is taken aback by such an unusual plea, a flashback reveals the reason behind her drastic move.
Vindhya’s son, Vikas (Vignesh), along with his friends, sexually assaults a teenage girl, Chaitra (Sara Arjun).
Though the court finds the accused guilty, the case takes several unexpected turns. What prompts Vindhya to take this shocking step forms the crux of the story.
Artistes’ Performances:
Vignesh Gavireddy initially comes across as a typical youngster and does not make a strong impression early on. However, he delivers a commendable performance in the latter half, particularly standing out in the climax.
Sara Arjun once again proves her talent. Despite having a limited role, she makes a strong impact with her screen presence and assured acting.
Bhumika Chawla, playing Vignesh’s mother, delivers a dignified and emotionally restrained performance, bringing maturity and experience to the character.
Gautam Menon, Nasser and others are okay.
Technical Excellence:
The film does not rely heavily on technical brilliance, with cinematography and music serving the narrative in a largely functional manner.
Editing remains a mixed bag, appearing crisp in the first half but turning uneven in the latter portion.
Highlights:
The initial 45 minutes
The climax portion
Drawback:
Much of the second half
The drug-related sequences
Lack of sharp writing and editing
Analysis
“Euphoria” refers to the culture of partying and drug abuse. In the film, a police officer undertakes a special operation titled “Mission Euphoria” to eradicate drugs from the city. However, Gunasekhar’s Euphoria is not limited to portraying drug culture or teenagers slipping into alcohol, narcotics, and crime. At its core, the film also examines parenting and accountability.
Gunasekhar begins the film as a gripping thriller and gradually transitions it into a courtroom and investigative drama. The first hour is highly engaging, with tight pacing and effectively built tension. From establishing the crime to proving it legally, the narration is sharp and well-structured.
Notably, the film presents, for perhaps the first time in Telugu cinema, a detailed medical examination where doctors record a rapist’s statement regarding male potency. The sequence is gritty and disturbing and may make many viewers uncomfortable.
Yet, Gunasekhar steps away from conventional cinematic gloss and presents police and courtroom proceedings in a starkly realistic manner. This approach makes the first half not only distinctive but also compelling.
As the film progresses, the focus shifts toward reform, second chances for the perpetrators, and the role of parenting. The narrative moves from the teenagers to the mother’s perspective, played by Bhumika.
One of the film’s strongest moments comes when she is horrified to see her drug-intoxicated son unable to differentiate between his mother and another woman. Such scenes, along with the mature handling of the climax, reflect Gunasekhar’s signature style and sensitivity.
These are the film’s strengths. Unfortunately, “Euphoria” also suffers from several glaring issues. The second half is starkly different from the gripping first half and loses momentum. The narrative becomes scattered, with unnecessary songs and detours that dilute the impact. At nearly two and a half hours, the film feels overlong and drags in several portions.
Unlike the tightly focused approach seen in many Malayalam films, Gunasekhar adds subplots and sequences that neither enhance the core theme nor advance the story, resulting in an inflated runtime. Until the emotionally effective climax, much of the second half remains dull and disengaging.
Additionally, scenes featuring the general public passing comments on Bhumika and her husband, both in the community and the courtroom, feel dated and resemble television serial tropes.
Overall, “Euphoria” boasts an intriguing and hard-hitting first half and tackles a serious subject. However, the incoherent second half significantly undermines its impact, even though the climax manages to strike an emotional chord. It fails to use the opportunity well in the second half.
Bottom-line: Missed Opportunity