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Kushi Movie Review : A light-hearted tale of love and triumph

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Kushi Reviews

Even during its most dramatic moments, Kushi is never melodramatic, making it Shiva Nirvana's most controlled and mellow film yet. And what the film does with its climax is delightful.

Full Review | Sep 11, 2023

It could have been a timely ode to love across differences. Instead, it is just another love story that banks on the lead actors, the music and the technical finesse for salvation.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Sep 8, 2023

Kushi is a breezy, feel-good film for the most part, ably aided by Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 8, 2023

The music is honestly the only redeeming factor in this film that is ridden with too many ideas.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Sep 8, 2023

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Home » Reviews » Telugu Movie Reviews

Kushi Movie Review: Vijay Deverakonda & Samantha Ruth Elevate Feel-Good Vibes, Yet The Film Lacks Depth In Its Thought-Provoking Conflicts

Kushi movie review: vijay deverakonda & samantha’s amazing chemistry & somewhat cinematic and silly situations will keep you entertained..

Star Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Samantha, Jayaram, Sachin Khedakar, Murali Sharma, Lakshmi, Ali, Rohini Molleti, Vennela Kishore, Rahul Ramakrishna, Srikanth Iyenger, Saranya Pradeep.

Director: Shiva Nirvana

What’s Good: Vijay Deverakonda & Samantha’s chemistry, amusing albeit somewhat cinematic and silly situations giving feel-good moments.

What’s Bad: It’s predominantly a retread of familiar territory rather than offering something entirely novel.

Loo Break: There are a few predictable scenes; that’s your cue.

Watch or Not?: It’s a family entertainer, regardless if you’re a fan of Vijay Deverakonda or Samantha, the film is worth giving a shot.

Language: Telugu (with subtitles at selected theatres).

Available On: In Theatres Near You

Runtime: 2 Hours 45 Minutes

Viplav (Vijay Deverakonda) and Aradhya (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) find themselves in love, but soon discover that their families are worlds apart. As they bask in the glow of their love, can they navigate the challenges and bridge the gap to make their relationship endure?

Kushi Movie Review: Script Analysis

Viplav (Vijay Deverakonda) and Aradhya (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) fall in love, only to realise that they and their families are poles apart. Happy in love, will these two manage to make their relationship work?

Shiva Nirvana’s movie doesn’t delve into groundbreaking concepts; instead, it revolves around the everyday and trivial challenges encountered by individuals in their relationships. Numerous films such as Chalte Chalte, Alaipayuthey, Akele Hum Akele Tum, and many others have previously tackled this theme. However, Shiva Nirvana approaches it with a lighthearted touch, particularly in the second half of the film.

The storyline seems to skim over issues without allowing them to resonate deeply. It consistently hurries to introduce a comedic twist or launch into a musical number, ensuring that the feel-good essence remains intact. However, as the film progresses, it becomes increasingly predictable, which somewhat diminishes its impact. Anticipating the next turn of events can make the movie feel somewhat less exhilarating at times.

Even the portrayal of the middle-class setting and the influence of the older couple (played by Rohini and Jayaram), who encourage the younger couple to view the bigger picture beyond their everyday conflicts, bears a resemblance to narratives seen in movies like Alaipayuthey and Okay Kanmani.

Interestingly, the director brilliantly infused how Vijay Deverakonda is a fan of Mani Ratnam films, and thus makes repeated references to the above films, including Roja, and Dil Se. Kushi experiences a shake-up when the parents intervene. There’s a moment when a father responds with a somewhat ‘I-told-you-so’ remark upon learning of an unfortunate incident, choosing ego over emotional support. It serves as a portrayal of the human tendency to prioritize pride. The resolution of the conflict and the convergence of characters with opposing viewpoints occur in the final act.

Although executed brilliantly, the filmmaker could have handled the Kerala segment more effectively. Even the scenes depicting Vijay Deverakonda’s efforts to woo Samantha could have benefited from more refined scripting. Nonetheless, I couldn’t help but be entertained by the amusing albeit somewhat cinematic and silly situations presented in the first half of the film.

Kushi Movie Review: Star Performance

Vijay Deverakonda delivers a performance imbued with innocence and sincerity, effectively channelling his innate charm. It’s been quite some time since the actor has portrayed his original strength – that of an imperfect boy next door. He fully inhabits his character, carrying the film, particularly through some of its weaker later sections. Additionally, there’s a humorous reference to his Arjun Reddy character that elicits laughter from the audience.

In contrast, Samantha ‘s performance initially revolves around her portrayal of a mysterious woman, whom Viplav falls for at first sight in Kashmir during the first half. Gradually, she comes into her own, effortlessly embodying the role of Aradhya, a woman seeking happiness above all else. The duo succeeds in making viewers genuinely care about their characters and their strained marriage. Their on-screen chemistry appears seamless, even during scenes where they can hardly stand each other.

Sharanya Pradeep, portraying the role of the friend, assumes a prominent conversational role, delivering her lines with remarkable ease, especially in the first half, particularly during the Kashmir sequence. Saranya Ponvannan, cast as Viplav’s mother, and Lakshmi, in the role of Aradhya’s grandmother, has the potential to be voices of reason within the narrative but are constrained by limited exposure. Conversely, the father characters, portrayed by Murali Sharma and Sachin Khadekar, take on a somewhat caricatured quality. Despite their efforts to transcend the constraints of their characters, there’s only so much they can do. Rahul Ramakrishna’s performance as Vijay Deverakonda’s friend also deserves commendation.

Kushi Movie Review: Direction, Music

Shiva Nirvana subtly weaves in numerous references to films by the likes of Mani Ratnam, Vijay, and Samantha, enhancing romantic drama with a delightful blend of humour and captivating music. With finesse, he crafts a narrative that skillfully introduces a conflict rooted in clashing ideologies, hidden beneath the surface of entertainment, capable of tarnishing relationships. Shiva Nirvana chooses a straightforward path to convey the notion that love can triumph over disparities. Nevertheless, some characters remain one-dimensional, and the exploration of ideologies lacks depth.

The film’s opening segment underscores Shiva Nirvana’s need to delve into a more nuanced portrayal of characters, embracing their multifaceted nature. Nonetheless, he adeptly leverages the father figures, who border on caricature, to construct a tense sequence aboard a metro train that also elicits laughter from the audience. Moreover, Kushi could have benefited from a more concise runtime to enhance its impact. Nonetheless, Shiva Nirvana presents a film that resonates with family audiences.

Kushi Movie Review: The Last Word

Is Kushi entertaining? Most definitely. This delightful romantic musical is elevated by its charismatic leads, Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha. It had the potential to stand out even further had it delved deeper into the thought-provoking conflict between science and religion with additional consideration and effort.

Kushi Trailer

Kushi releases on 01 September, 2023.

Share with us your experience of watching Kushi.

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Kushi Review: Vijay Deverakonda & Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s chemistry infuses life into this feel-good love story

Rashita Sahni

September 1, 2023
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In Kushi, Vijay Deverakonda & Samantha Ruth Prabhu prove 'just love in enough'. The pan-India film released this morning in five languages.

Bubble Reviews
Kushi Review: Vijay Deverakond ...

Film: Kushi

Kushi Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

Director: Shiva Nirvana

Starcast: Vijay Deverakonda, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Sachin Khedekar, Saranya Ponvannan, Murali Sharma & Lakshmi

Platform: Theatres

Kushi Review

Sirf Pyaar Kaafi Hai! That’s what Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s feel-good love story Kushi is all about. It does talk about a bigger issue also but without being too preachy about it. Written and directed by Shiva Nirvana, Kushi sets hearts aflutter and celebrates ‘love’. It gives us a glimpse of a sweet romantic story and how love wins when two different worlds collide. The pan-India film hit the theatres this morning in five languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

Watch the trailer while reading Kushi Review :

Viplav (Vijay Deverakonda), an employee in BSNL falls in love with Aradhya (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) – a corporate professional – while they are in Kashmir. Mumbai-based Viplav convinces Aradhya to marry him and convince her family in Pune. However, much to their misery, the couples’ fathers are arch-enemies, because one believes in science and logic and the other in god and religion. While Aaradhya’s father, Chandrangam Srinivasa Rao (Murali Sharma) believes in the Almighty, Viplav’s father, Lenin Sathya (Sachin Khedekar), is an atheist and terms faith in God as rubbish. He is a man of reason and feels that what the other man has is nothing but blind faith.

But Viplav and Aradhya – madly in love – opt for a court marriage, going against the will of their fathers. However, the couple soon faces relationship problems due to insecurities, jealousy and a clash of mindsets. What makes their relationship stronger than ever and brings ‘Kushi’ into their married life is the crux of this romantic drama. And oh, that Arjun Reddy reference scene just takes the cake.

Performances

Vijay and Samantha spread the magic of their romance beautifully in Kushi. Their chemistry is bang on in this one. The duo represents modern-day couples with much realism and reliability. Kudos to Sachin Khedekar and Murali Sharma for portraying two completely contrasting characters with pure honesty. The entire supporting cast including Saranya Ponvannan, Lakshmi, Vennela Kishore and Rohini add a humourous punch to the romantic film.

Technical Aspect

Shiva Nirvana has done a decent job with his writing and direction. The storyline, however, feels a little dragged at some points. Murali G’s cinematography is praise-worthy. The way he has shot all locations, including the beautiful Kashmir, is commendable. Prawin Pudi’s editing could have been much crispier. Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music is soulful and a treat to our ears.

Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha’s chemistry in Khushi

What’s great about the Shiva Nirvana-directed Kushi

Vijay & Samantha’s impeccable chemistry: What makes Kushi a sweet watch is Vijay and Samantha’s impeccable chemistry. Not only does it feel extremely effortless but also very real. The on-screen couple makes sure to make everyone go ‘aww’ with their romance.

Love vs. Faith: The story is based on the angle of love vs. faith in God and well, the makers have done a good job in portraying the message of ‘love is enough’. The film teaches us to have faith in our love and how everything eventually falls into place if you are with the right partner.

Dragged Storyline: At some points, the storyline feels dragged. Sure it keeps us entertained but it also feels just too stretched in some particular scenes. Kushi could have been a much crispier film – making it even more delightful for the audiences.

If you’re looking for a feel-good romantic film this weekend, then Kushi is the right film for you. Vijay and Samantha are sure to leave you impressed with their smooth chemistry and fairytale-like love story.

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Kushi movie review and release Highlights: Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu film opens to mixed reviews

Kushi movie release and review live updates: a lot is riding on the shiva nirvana directorial kushi as both vijay deverakonda and samantha ruth prabhu's recent films have not fared well..

Telugu film Kushi, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Sachin Khedekar, Saranya Ponvannan, and Murali Sharma among others, has hit screens worldwide today. A lot is riding on the Shiva Nirvana directorial as both Vijay and Samantha’s recent films have not fared well. While Vijay was last seen in the box office turkey Liger, Samantha’s Shaakuntalam failed to find many takers.

When asked if Kushi’s performance at the box office will be a deciding factor for Vijay and Samantha, film trade analyst Ramesh Bala, “I don’t think it will affect their career as both have a good body of work. But it is a crucial film indeed after their respective flops.”

Trade analyst Deepak, who is based out of Hyderabad , added, “I don’t think what is an actor’s last film matters anymore. People have changed a lot now. It comes down to the content of the film, the packaging and the overall appeal.”

Vijay Deverakonda recently addressed the poor box office performance of his recent films. Vijay said that every script he chose was ‘terrifc’, but it was the execution of the same which faltered.

The actor told Cinema Express, “I know people won’t accept this statement, but honestly, I believe every script that I’ve chosen was terrific. It was the execution that didn’t go as planned. For instance, an inside joke between friends wouldn’t translate well to others if the delivery and timing weren’t on point. That’s exactly what happened with films like Liger, NOTA, and even Dear Comrade.”

Follow all the latest updates about Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu starrer Kushi.

Kushi Blockbuster celebrations by Fans ?? @TheDeverakonda at Chittoor #Kushi pic.twitter.com/kRvRJbZTtK — Milagro Movies (@MilagroMovies) September 1, 2023

Vijay Deverakonda's fans celebrated Vijay Deverakonda's return to theatres with Kushi with much enthusiasm. In Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, excited fans burst firecrackers to express their joy.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kamlesh Nand (work) (@artistrybuzz_)

Pushpa director Sukumar was spotted at AMB theatre where he went for a show of Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu's film Kushi. Vijay's parents were also seen exiting the theatre.

This is Vijay Deverakonda, a self-made star in the nepotistic and caste-driven TFI. Look at his mania. He is coming after three disasters, but he still manages to entice audiences into the theaters. Self-made star, an inspiration to all, especially youth #Kushi #Kushiblockbuster pic.twitter.com/HMWIlVJdn1 — Luka Modri??? (@LasskuTapa) September 1, 2023

A fan @LasskuTapa posted on Twitter, " This is Vijay Deverakonda, a self-made star in the nepotistic and caste-driven TFI. Look at his mania. He is coming after three disasters, but he still manages to entice audiences into the theaters. Self-made star, an inspiration to all, especially youth #Kushi #Kushiblockbuster."

A fan @deverakonda_on tweeted, "Just Now Completed My show ? What A Comeback From Rowdy Boy ???? First Half Is Good ??Second Half Excellent ??Sam and Vijay Chemistry ???Interval and Pre Climax ?Block Buster Confirm ?? #Kushi #VijayDeverakonda #Samantha #KushiReview."

Their love is unmatched ?? but will Viplav and Aaradhya prove to their families they are a pair like no other in the entire world? ??‍??‍?‍?? Head to #KUSHI Now Playing in Cinemas near you to find out! ?‍????? @TheDeverakonda @Samanthaprabhu2 @saregamasouth @ShivaNirvana @HeshamAWMusic … pic.twitter.com/83kE2CniOD — Lyca Productions (@LycaProductions) September 1, 2023

Lyca Productions tweeted, "Their love is unmatched ?? but will Viplav and Aaradhya prove to their families they are a pair like no other in the entire world? ??‍??‍?‍??Head to #KUSHI Now Playing in Cinemas near you to find out! ?‍?????."

The #VijayDeverakonda is back & how?? I still have happy tears in my eyes when I'm typing this? It's worth the wait & I really can't put it in words how happy I'm..what a performer you are man?? Loved d movie to bits & pieces??? Finally hit kottesam babe #Kushi tho??? pic.twitter.com/q7Bq2fFP68 — THE YoLoh (@Lohithaaaa) September 1, 2023

A fan @Lohithaaaa tweeted, "The #VijayDeverakonda is back & how?? I still have happy tears in my eyes when I'm typing this? It's worth the wait & I really can't put it in words how happy I'm..what a performer you are man?? Loved d movie to bits & pieces??? Finally hit kottesam babe #Kushi tho???."

Ma #Aradhya @Samanthaprabhu2 Entry ??? Her Undisputed Fanbase ?? ? Sandya 70mm, RTC X Roads! @ShivaNirvana @TheDeverakonda @MythriOfficial @HeshamAWMusic @Chinmayi #Samantha #VijayDeverakonda #SamanthaRuthPrabhu #KushiOnSep1st #KushiReview #TeamSamantha pic.twitter.com/pHhBwYsZcx — ???? ????????™ (@TeamSamantha__) September 1, 2023

A clip from inside a cinema hall shows fans cheering and hooting as Samantha Rukh Prabhu made her entry in Kushi.

All the actors in Kushi are seasoned performers and have done their best. However, Samantha Ruth Prabhu's character definitely deserved more voice and screen space.

READ THE FULL KUSHI REVIEW HERE

#SSRajamouli & #RamaRajamouli are watching #Kushi at Prasad’s Imax along with several other film celebrities. #BlockbusterKushi pic.twitter.com/1AGE0sgD5C — ????????????? (@ShineySameer) September 1, 2023

S S Rajamouli and Rama Rajamouli watched Kushi at Hyderabad's Prasads Multiplex along with several other celebrities.

A fan @sriramauthentic tweeted, "Still under the spell of #Kushi's brilliance! Hats off to #VijayDeverakonda and #Samantha for their remarkable chemistry. The film is a cinematic gem that delivers on all fronts - compelling narrative, soulful melodies, stunning cinematography, and direction. #BlockbusterKushi."

Mass ??? Sandhya 70 mm RTC #BlockBusterKushi #Kushi #KushiReview #VijayDeverakonda #Samantha pic.twitter.com/Noaq098aVR — MB Vijay Nayak (@mbfans_officail) September 1, 2023

In a video shared online, fans can be seen dancing outside a theatre screening Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu's film Kushi.

Love beyond boundaries ? The adorable @Samanthaprabhu2 attended the intimate Pre-Release event of #Kushi at Dallas! Organised to #RajeshKallepalli , North America's #Kushi Exhibitor under @CharismaEntmt Grand release today in the theatres ? #Samantha pic.twitter.com/IEyum95lPq — Vamsi Kaka (@vamsikaka) September 1, 2023

Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently attended a pre-release event of Kushi in Dallas. Glimpses from the event were shared online on the day of the film's release.

A Twitter user @srinivasrtfan2 posted, "Just Now Completed My show ? What A Comeback From Rowdy Boy ???? First Half Is Good ?? Second Half Excellent ?? Sam and Vijay Chemistry ??? Interval and Pre Climax ? Block Buster Confirm ?? My Rating - 3.5/5 #Kushi #VijayDeverakonda #Samantha #KushiReview."

@venkyreviews tweeted, "#Kushi Overall A Clean Rom-Com that is simple yet entertaining for the most part! Though the film has a regular story and feels lengthy at times, the entertainment in the film works and the emotional quotient in the last 30 minutes works well. Barring a few hiccups here and there, it’s a pretty good watch! Rating: 3/5."

A Twitter user @CultboySatya shared, "#Kushi My View Excellent First half Followed by a Decent Second Half. A film which gave me Complete satisfaction After SIR and Virupaksha." '

? You all waited for 5 years, with me. Patiently waiting for me to do my thing! We did it. Today!! :) Waking up to this happiness from all around and my phone to hundreds of messages. I cannot help but tear up with emotions. I love you all ?? Go and enjoyyyyy this one with… — Vijay Deverakonda (@TheDeverakonda) September 1, 2023

Vijay Deverakonda took to Twitter to post, "You all waited for 5 years, with me. Patiently waiting for me to do my thing! We did it. Today!! :) Waking up to this happiness from all around and my phone to hundreds of messages. I cannot help but tear up with emotions. I love you all ?? Go and enjoyyyyy this one with your friends and familes. Because I know you will ?? Emotional & #Kushi. Your man, Vijay Deverakonda."

Director Bobby tweeted, "Best wishes to @TheDeverakonda, @Samanthaprabhu2, director @ShivaNirvana bro,My producers #NaveenYerneni garu, #RaviShankar and CEO #Cherry garu For #Kushi Grand Release today!! ??@MythriOfficial."

Completed Watching #Kushi premier show at London. One word: Blockbuster Comeback for @TheDeverakonda ? Worth watching ?? #Kushi #VijayDeverakonda #kushipremier #Samantha pic.twitter.com/lAK8tLVO0i — Kavin (@Pesssii_) September 1, 2023

@Pesssii_, a Twitter user, posted, 'Completed Watching #Kushi premier show at London. One word: Blockbuster. Comeback for @TheDeverakonda ? Worth watching ?? #Kushi #VijayDeverakonda #kushipremier #Samantha.'

MASS FEST for the class movie ????? ??? #Kushi #BlockbusterKushi ?? pic.twitter.com/YQLGrIxVSU — THE CHANTI (@chanticomradevd) September 1, 2023

Vijay Deverakonda fans celebrate Kushi's release with dhol beats. See visuals from outside a theater.

A Twitter user @Murali90skid shared, "#Kushi ? Life after luv marriage. 1st half test ur patience. Songs & chemistry b/w #VijayDeverakonda & #SamanthaRuthPrabhu r major plus. 2nd half is good. Humour & emotions worked well. Better than the 1st half. Climax message?. Overall ABOVE AVERAGE! #KushiReview."

Citadel India director duo Raj & DK are all praise for Samantha Ruth Prabhu's film Kushi. They took to Instagram stories and wrote, "Looks like a blockbuster!! All the best team #kushi!." Samantha replied to their post, "Means a lot."

Producer Naga Vamsi shared via Twitter, "Wishing @TheDeverakonda, @Samanthaprabhu2, director @ShivaNirvana, and the entire team behind #Kushi an exhilarating release and a resounding blockbuster success. May the film captivate hearts and become a memorable cinematic journey for all! ♥??."

@ursmohan_kumar tweeted, "What a day! Hearing very good reports about the #Kushi USA premieres. Vala degara hit ante mana degara blockbuster ane ardam. Can't wait to watch my show PCX at 8am."

Samnatha Ruth Prabhu and Vijay Deverakonda fans make '#BlockBusterKushi' trend on Twitter.

User @RamSaayzz wrote on Twitter, "The Movie we needed. A perfect Apptizer to the heavy loaded Entress we will be getting. Bramhi tho ending. Dil Kush. Choodhaleamma anadru. Oka manchi review soon."

Sai Dharam Tej took to Twitter on Thursday and wrote, "The Love & Expectations around #Kushi is beautiful. @Samanthaprabhu2 Glad you're finding so much love for your strength. Love from this fanboy too. All the best @TheDeverakonda @ShivaNirvana @HeshamAWMusic & @MythriOfficial a lovely blockbuster tomorrow."

Thoughts before #Kushi ?? release tomorrow! Cannot believe it is already here. It feels so sudden even though its been a year since you saw me on the big screen last. I believe you will all have a great fun time at the cinema. I cannot tell you how much i look forward to big… pic.twitter.com/DXJKWdorGH — Vijay Deverakonda (@TheDeverakonda) August 31, 2023

On the eve of Kushi's release, Vijay Deverakonda took to social media and wrote, "Thoughts before #Kushi?? release tomorrow! Cannot believe it is already here. It feels so sudden even though its been a year since you saw me on the big screen last. I believe you will all have a great fun time at the cinema. I cannot tell you how much i look forward to big smiles on all your faces. I love you all?? Kushiiii is yours in a few hours. Enjoyyyyy! Your man, Vijay Deverakonda."

Kushi marks the first collaboration of Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Talking about his Kushi co-star Samantha during a Q&A session, Vijay said, "Samantha is intelligent. When Shiva and I discuss the movie, she contributes great ideas. We share many similarities. We come from middle-class families, so we have similar perspectives on money and life. Additionally, we both have a passion for history. Samantha is religious, and I have questions about spirituality. Working with Samantha was a delight."

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Kushi Review: Love Story Banks On Vijay Deverakonda's Chemistry With Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Kushi review: the film's primary theme hinges on a faith versus science debate, a phenomenon that plays spoilsport in the lives of a married couple essayed by vijay and samantha..

A still from Kushi . (courtesy: thedeverakonda )

Romance, melodrama and liberal doses of comedy coalesce in the uneven but visually arresting Kushi , written and directed by Shiva Nirvana. The film's primary theme hinges on a faith versus science debate, a phenomenon that plays spoilsport in the lives of a married couple essayed by Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

If that sounds like an promising premise - it is definitely interesting to begin with - the film uses it only as a plot element to underscore the fact that a clash of worldviews can ruin a relationship. But since Kushi is a love story designed to give Vijay Deverakonda's fans value for money, it finds a way of restoring order. It ties up in knots at times because the route it takes to a denouement would have been dismissed as convoluted had it not been visible from a mile away.

The male protagonist, Viplav, works in a telephone exchange in Kashmir, where he chances upon Ara "Begum" (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) and falls in love with her. She tries her best to fob him off. The lover boy isn't one to give up easily. The lady comes around to his overtures soon enough.

But, hang on, this isn't about an inter-faith relationship of the kind at the heart of Mani Ratnam's Bombay - there are plenty of references to the veteran filmmaker and his work strewn across Kushi. Turns out that Ara "Begum" is Aradhya, a girl from a conservative upper caste Hindu family. Her father, Chadarangam Srinivasa Rao (Murali Sharma), is a man of religion and conservative to the core.

Trouble erupts in paradise because Viplav's father Lenin Sathya (Sachin Khedekar) is an atheist who will have none of what Aradhya's family suggests as a prerequisite to their marriage. With no option left, Aradhya and Viplav get hitched against the wishes of their fathers.

It is all hunky dory as long as the honeymoon lasts, but once the reality of their conflicting backgrounds kicks in things begin to turn sour. Matters aren't helped when pregnancy complications arise and give the orthodox Hindu religious preacher-patriarch a stick to beat the rationalist with.

The Telugu-language Kushi (also released in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi) would have been quite a film had it opted to devote more thought and space to the conflict between superstition and rationalism. It goes down that path for a bit but veers away all too soon.

Kushi throws too many balls up in the air. A few of them just vanish without a trace. What doesn't is a comedy track designed that is designed to that liven up the proceedings. It serves its purpose to a point but also tends to dilute the principal burden of the story.

Sachin Khedekar and Murali Sharma give their roles their best shots. Unfortunately, because of the way they are written, the two characters are no more than caricatures that stand for two opposing viewpoints. Their clash is a mere contrivance and not really the centre of the film. That robs Kushi of the chance of being a romantic drama with a real difference.

While Kushi, banking on the magnetism that Vijay Deverakonda (coming off the disastrous Liger and in need of a hit) exudes and the chemistry that he shares with Samantha (out to live down Shaakuntalam), wants to tell its audience that love conquers all, it spends a large portion of its 165-minute runtime emphasising that those who do not agree with each other will always struggle to live under one roof.

If we take that supposition as a commentary on the fractious world that we live in today, is Kushi suggesting that acceptance, tolerance and respect for diversity aren't ideals worth fighting for? It is probably not doing that because it is after a feel-good film that ends on an all-is-well-with-the-world note.

It throws in a completely sorted but wholly unoriginal inter-faith couple, Zoya and Thomas (played by Rohini and Jayaram respectively), to drive home the obvious message that differences need not get in the way of the human quest for happiness. The superficiality of the ideas that it transmits prevents the film from being a serious, in-depth exploration of the war of ideologies in personal and familial spaces.

Kushi would have had many more pluses to its credit had it dared to break away with intent from its commitment to steering clear of the complexities of the human mind and heart. It barters away the potential for occasional pointed profundity and settles for an unchallenging and entertaining film.

The flip manner that Kushi consistently favours aids it to put together quite a few crowd-pleasing set-ups that alternate between the humorous and the emotionally engaging.

One of the strongest points of Kushi is, of course, the music composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab. Cinematographer Murali G. does a fabulous job of rustling up images that are easy on the eye. He uses the Kashmir passages to bring back memories of the luminous frames that Santosh Sivan conjured up in the 1990s for Roja and Dil Se.

Promoted Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com

For all the surface beauty that Kushi assembles on the screen in terms of the compositions (both visual and musical) and a lead pair endowed with oodles of charm, it always feels like a film that isn't going as far as it could have. It holds itself back quite palpably from being an all-out celebration of the tapestry of ideas that lend a society such as ours its dynamism, energy and variety.

There is no dearth of ideas in Kushi - in fact, there are too many of them for the good of the film- but it does not follow them to their logical end and lets the lure to boost the entertainment quotient dictate the eventual shape. It could have been a timely ode to love across differences. Instead, it is just another love story that banks on the lead actors, the music and the technical finesse for salvation.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Vijay Deverakonda, Lakshmi, Murli Sharma

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Kushi Movie Review: Vijay Deverakonda, Samantha Ruth Prabhu Film Is Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Messy

Updated Jan 25, 2024, 15:26 IST

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Kushi Movie Review Vijay Deverakonda Samantha Ruth Prabhu Film Is Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Messy

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Kushi movie review: When love and acceptance is convoluted

In that vein, Kushi is a missed chance. In a country where extremists seek life in the name of love jihad, it could have really fostered love and acceptance

Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Director: Shiva Nirvana

Kashmir, religion, love jihad, Hindutva and superstitious. Kushi , starring Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu takes on all of these socio-political conflicts, not to portray a visceral and effecting story but romance and melodrama. These conflicts provide fodder that is clickbaity enough to draw the crowd in as it is laced with humor. So it is no surprise then that the film ends up becoming way too convoluted. Viplav (Vijay Deverakonda) works at the telephone exchange in Kashmir, and after his chance meeting with Ara ‘Begum’ (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) he falls in love.

In an attempt to establish that Viplav’s love is beyond religion, the film chooses Kashmir as a set-up. Is it tone-deaf? Yes! Will filmmakers continue to use the Kashmir conflict as a plot device? Looks like it. In fact, from the very beginning, Kushi made me uncomfortable. The film tries to tell audiences that only women in burqa are safe in a place such as Kashmir. It has a Hindu girl dressed in a burqa visiting a temple. After the hijab row, and the apparent Islamophobia in our country, this set-up could have been used to portray inclusivity and a sense of brotherhood and belonging. Instead, we get men dressed in Muslim attire drawing weapon against a group of people belonging to another religion.

As if this weren’t enough, there is another layer to this story. What happens when an atheist falls in love with a believer? This is not a believer who keeps her faith personal, but the kind that also believes in superstitions, to the extent that she a black cat is bad omen in her life. Her father speaks of nothing but the God, God’s teaching and so on. Viplav’s father, on the other hand, believes in nothing but science. Can Aradhya and Viplav really overcome the differences in their belief system and their upbringing? In the honeymoon period, none of this seem to matter. However, as days pass and conflict of a failed pregnancy enters their relationship, everything goes to hell in a handbasket.

Aradhya, who buries the believer in her and forsakes her faith for the time being is forced to ponder on the words of her father, a pandit who had foretold that her relationship with Viplav was fated to fail. She wonders if one ‘homam’ can really resolve all the issues and misunderstanding that had recently cropped up in her relationship and addresses the same to Viplav. Her father is after all not a quack in her eyes. It is at this moment that we begin to wonder, what of love and acceptance beyond faith?

The film did find its way to acceptance towards the very end, yes, but what of all the moments before. Ones where the film did nothing but establish the fact that differences would only lead to misery in a relationship? To establish that the opposite of the conflict is true, no time in spent and instead, we now see the focus of the film shift from differences in faith to pregnancy. Convoluted sounds like an understatement at this point.

In that vein, Kushi is a missed chance. In a country where extremists seek life in the name of love jihad, it could have really fostered love and acceptance. It could have been heart melting and mesmerizing. Instead, we have something forgettable. The music is honestly the only redeeming factor in this film that is ridden with too many ideas.

Rating: 2 (out of 5 stars)

Priyanka Sundar is a film journalist who covers films and series of different languages with a special focus on identity and gender politics.

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Movie Reviews

Kushi Review

Kushi (2023) Movie Review: What's Behind

Vijay Devarakonda, Samantha's romantic entertainer Kushi directed by Shiva Nirvana is releasing on 1 Sep 2023. The presence of Vijay Devarakonda and Samantha and the youthful romantic teaser and trailer increased the interest levels among movie lovers. Vijay Devarakonda, Samantha, and also Shiva Nirvana are pinning their hopes on this film to bounce back and return to the success track. The film's OTT rights are bagged by Amazon Prime and streaming will be after the end of its theatrical run. Let's dive into Kushi and find out whether Kushi made movie lovers Dil Kush or not.

Vijay Devarakonda's Kushi: Story Review

Kushi's story is all about a young couple who get married against the wishes of their parents and how they overcome the misunderstandings in their married life.

Viplav ( Vijay Devarakonda ) requests his boss to get a posting in the exotic location of Kashmir as he loves to explore new places breaking from the monotony. He happens to fall for a Burqha-clad girl Ara (Samantha). On fine day, Viplav finds Ara missing and subsequently finds shocking revelations about her.

Where their relationship leads to, why Ara lied about her identity as Aradhya and how they take their relationship forward, how Viplav's father,renowned atheist and professor Lenin Satyam (Sachin Khedekar) and Aradhya's father, popular astrologer Chadarangam Srinivasa rao (Murali Sharma) react, form the rest of the story.

Kushi (2023) Movie: Artists Review

Vijay Devarakonda toned down his aggressive performances in his recent films and slipped into the role effortlessly. He looked good, handsome, and charming on the screen. He performed well as a loverboy and also showed the right kind of expressions and emotions when faced with different difficult situations. He looked natural and realistic on the screen and delivered dialogues with ease. But sometimes one gets a feeling that he got monotonous in his dialogue delivery.

Samantha performed well on screen. She came up with the right kind of expressions and emotions. Vijay Devarakonda and Samantha's chemistry is the highlight of the film. Their on-screen romance be it in the songs and also in emotional and romantic scenes took the film to the next level. Both also enthralled fans with a couple of intense liplocks and an intimate scene. However, Samantha looked aged and she put on a lot of weight. Her age showed off opposite Vijay Devarakonda and he looked like her younger brother.

Vennela Kishore entertained to some extent in the first half helping the story to move forward slowly but steadily. Rahul Ramakrishna is ok in his role and he appeared in the second half. Murali Sharma and Sachin Khedekar did what was required of them as believers of God and non-believers of God.

Sharanya Ponnavannan, Rohini, Lakshmi, Sharanya Pradeep, Jayaram, Ali, and others performed according to their roles.

Kushi (2023) Movie: Technicians Review

Kushi's story selected by Shiva Nirvana is all about two youngsters falling in love and how they overcome the misunderstandings that affect them due to their surroundings and due to the influence of their atheist and non-atheist family members. Director Shiva Nirvana starts off in a predictable manner and the Kashmir episode springs a surprise with Samantha shown as a Muslim girl. Many expect a different kind of love story and the narration generates interest towards it but quickly the story assumes a routine plot.

However, Shiva Nirvana managed to turn the first half watchable thanks to the beautiful and exotic locations of Kashmir, Vijay Devarakonda, and Samantha's settled performances. Vennela Kishore's presence helped to an extent. The romance between Vijay Devarakond and Samantha interests at the start but Shiva Nirvana stretched it a bit in the middle. The first half however ends on a decent note with viewers content on getting a good romantic experience despite a few lags, repetitive scenes, and monotonous elements in between.

Viewers wait eagerly for the second half and the second half assumes a serious note. The entire second half is serious and a few scenes are unnecessarily dragged. The comedy between Vijay Devarakonda and Rahul Ramakrishna makes viewers impatient. Shiva Nirvana tries to make it up with a few romantic scenes between Vijay and Samantha. But the Murali Sharma and Sachin Khedekar's believer and no believer of God scenes are dragged to eternity and even the conflict and misunderstanding scenes between Samantha and Vijay Devarakonda. To the top of it, the scenes featuring Rohini and Jayaram also test the patience of the viewers.

Shiva Nirvana came up with an interesting plot and though the story is routine, he managed to keep viewers interest intact for the majority of the first half. The dragged scenes in the second half impacted the film in a negative manner. The screenplay and direction went for a toss. But the climax once again elevates the scenes with Murli Sharma and Sachin Khedekar making their presence felt. All the actors including Sharanya Ponnavannan came up with impactful performance during the climax.

Hesham Abdul Wahab of Hridayam fame who made his debut with Kushi did a reasonably good job. A couple of songs are tuned in a beautiful and soulful manner and are shot in the backdrop of exotic locations. A couple of songs however acted as the speed brakers and tested the patience of the viewers. Background music is in sync with the storyline.

Murali G's cinematography is captivating. He showed the beauty of Kashmir, capturing the snow-filled mountains and valleys in a spell-bounding manner. His cinematography gave a rich feel to the film on the screen. The editing of Prawin Pudi left a lot to be desired. He could have easily chopped off many scenes in the second half and also a few in the second half to turn the film into a racy one. Wonder why he failed to do so. Production values of Mythri Movie Makers are lavish.

Kushi (2023) Movie: Advantages

Vijay Devarakonda - Samantha
Songs - BGM
Cinematography

Kushi (2023) Movie: Disadvantages

Kushi (2023) movie: rating analysis.

Altogether, Kushi is a feel-good romantic entertainer. Shiva Nirvana with stars like Vijay Devarakonda and Samantha tried to recreate the magic of Pawan Kalyan and Bhumika's cult classic Kushi. Shiva Nirvana starts off in an interesting manner and though he got a good idea, he failed in his execution. He should have created strong characters and given scope to Vijay and Samantha and got the optimum out of them. The character arcs curtailed their performances. Kushi coupled with a couple of beautiful songs and captivating visuals would have reached the next level, had he worked on the script concentrated on the writing, and paid attention to the execution. Considering all these elements, Cinejosh goes with a 2.5 Rating for Kushi .

Cinejosh - A One Vision Technologies initiative, was founded in 2009 as a website for news, reviews and much more content for OTT, TV, Cinema for the Telugu population and later emerged as a one-stop destination with 24/7 updates.

తెలుగు

Kushi Review: Partly Kushi, Partly Routine

Movie: Kushi Rating: 2.75/5 Banner: Mythri Movie Makers Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Jayaram, Sachin Khedakar, Murali Sharma, Lakshmi, Ali, Rohini, Vennela Kishore, Rahul Ramakrishna, Srikanth Iyengar and Saranya Pradeep and others Music: Hesham Abdul Wahab DOP: G.Murali Editing: Prawin Pudi Production Designer: Jayashree Lakshminarayanan Producers: Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar Y Written and Directed by: Shiva Nirvana Release Date: Sep 01, 2023

Following the disappointing outcome of "Liger," Vijay Deverakonda was in need of a film that could bring him joy and relief. He believed that "Kushi," a romantic drama, could be the one to achieve this. Has the film lived up to his expectations?

Let's find out.

Story: New BSNL recruit Vilpav (Vijay Deverakonda) falls in love with Aradhya (Samantha), an IT engineer who came to Kashmir with her colleagues. They fall in love and quickly decide to tie the knot.

However, Viplav's (Sachin Khedekar) atheist father and Aradhya's (Murali Sharma) religious preacher father play spoilsport.

Aradhya's dad thinks Viplav and his dad need to do an homam to protect themselves from astrological doshas, but Viplav's dad is an atheist and doesn't buy it.

Viplav and Aradhya decide to run away and tie the knot. How peaceful or troubled will their married life be?

Artistes’ Performances: After the disappointment of "Liger," Vijay Deverakonda feels right at home in his role as the boy next door, Viplav. In this regard, he excels, being the film's primary strength. Vijay Deverakonda harks back to his "Geetha Govindam" days by avoiding the typical mass and action sequences, except for a small fight and a chase sequence.

Samantha appears decent in her "Begum" persona and her performance is poised and subtle. She looks at her best in this film when compared to her recent films. She also did a couple of lip locks.

The first half of the film features the comedy talents of Vennela Kishore, while the second half showcases those of Rahul Ramakrishna.

Murali Sharma fits well into his role as Pravachanakartha, and Sachin Khedekar is right on the mark as an atheist.

Lakshmi plays Samantha's grandmother, and Rohini and Jayaram contribute significantly to the film's emotional core.

Technical Excellence: The musical score is the film's strongest aspect. Hesham Abdul Wahab in his Telugu debut brings out a slew of excellent tracks that have been topping the charts. Visually, the songs are just as enjoyable as it is audibly.

Murali's cinematography is a plus because he creates visually striking shots. The photography in Kashmir is very aesthetically pleasing.

The editing is a big problem. The film drags on for far too long, and there are numerous boring scenes in the second half that could be cut without affecting the story.

Highlights: Vijay Deverakonda Hesham’s songs Climax sequence

Drawback: Inconsistent narrative Editing Lengthy runtime Predictable sequences

Analysis Apart from "Arjun Reddy," Vijay Deverakonda's likable portrayal as the boy next door in films like "Pelli Choopulu" and "Geetha Govandam" has endeared him to both youngsters and family audiences.

Following the disappointment of "Liger," he recognized his strengths and opted for "Kushi," a film that takes him back to his roots. Shiva Nirvana has crafted a story loosely inspired by Mani Rathnam’s "Sakhi," but he introduces a new conflict: atheism versus religion.

Similar to “Sakhi,” we witness an extensive depiction of the love between the hero and heroine. We also observe the challenges faced by this couple after marriage, mirroring elements of “Sakhi.”

The first half of the film, set against the backdrop of Kashmir, is quite boring. In addition, the film loses its momentum after the hero and heroine tie the knot.

The director introduces a metropolitan fight sequence, a protracted exploration of infertility issues, a song about marital life ("pellam"), and more during this phase.

Unfortunately, this entire stretch consumes runtime without significantly contributing to the narrative. Just as the film begins to lose its grip, Shiva Nirvana revitalizes it with an episode set in Kerala.

From this point onward, "Kushi" manages to captivate the audience while evoking emotions. This final emotional episode rescues the movie, making it a decent watch.

The film's strengths lie in its vibrant settings, Vijay Deverakonda’s charismatic presence, Samantha's portrayal as the wife and the songs. However, its drawbacks include predictability, uneven storytelling, and a lack of strong conflict points.

There is a scene in the film that discusses the protagonist's masturbation to collect his semen for testing at a hospital. Heroine asks the hero whom he imagined while collecting, to which he replies that he imagined Kate Winslet from 'Titanic.' Is this necessary in a film that targets a family audience? The only difference is that this particular scene is only included for the USA audience, as it was removed in the Indian version.

However, “Kushi” offers an engaging viewing experience, especially for its family-oriented sequences and entertainment value, despite some issues.

Bottom line: Engaging But Not Entertaining

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Kushi FIRST Review Out: Vijay Deverakonda, Samantha Are Back With A Bang In Blockbuster Film

Curated By : Shrishti Negi

Last Updated: September 01, 2023, 13:17 IST

Mumbai, India

Kushi movie review: Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu impress the audience with their chemistry. (Courtesy: Twitter)

Kushi Movie Review: Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu have received a big thumbs up from the audience as their movie Kushi hits the theatres today.

Kushi FIRST Review Out: The early reviews of Kushi, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, are finally out, they are largely positive. The audience is raving about Vijay and Samantha’s on-screen chemistry in the movie, directed by Shiva Nirvana. Kushi had been in the making for several months, owing to Samantha’s health issues. However, it seems the team’s hard work has finally paid off, with netizens showering immense praise on the film.

Sharing the review on X, a user wrote: “A well-crafted family entertainer, KUSHI stands out as an engaging and refined film. Shiva Nirvana rightly presents a narrative that entertains throughout.” Another one posted, “Blockbuster Kushi! Vijay Deverakonda is BACK with a BANG!! Tears of Joy. We the fans waited 5 years for this. Full Kushi.” (sic)

#Kushi Review A well-crafted family entertainer, "KUSHI" stands out as an engaging and refined film. Shiva Nirvana rightly presents a narrative that entertains throughout. A fresh entertainer after months Rating: 3.5/5 #BlockbusterKushi pic.twitter.com/BTsqhM0AcN — シ︎ (@Trypanren_Madam) September 1, 2023

#BlockbusterKushi @TheDeverakonda is BACK with a BANG !! Tears of Joy We the fans waited 5 years for this. Full #Kushi Thank you @ShivaNirvana and @MythriOfficial #Kushireview #VijayDeverakonda #SamanthaRuthPrabhu pic.twitter.com/lUanGZxdNs — Akkiilluuuu (@_Akkki_) September 1, 2023

#Kushi Comeback film of #VijayDeverakonda Getting 3.25+ reviews all over the world So happy for @TheDeverakonda ... #JawanCelebrationAtBurjKhalifa #Jawan #SalaarTrailer #SalaarOnSep28th #SRK #rowdy #Prabhas #SALAAR #JawanTrailer pic.twitter.com/4ZpHZ49r5v — Samin Haque (@imSamin) September 1, 2023

Kushi is produced by Mythri Movie Makers. Besides Samantha and Vijay, the movie features Sachin Khedekar, Rahul Ramakrishna, Murali Sharma, and Vennela Kishore in crucial roles. The film hits the theatres today in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi.

Last week, the team hosted a massive music launch in Hyderabad. At the event, Samantha and Vijay danced to the title track of Kushi for their fans. Videos and photos of the duo’s performance went viral on the internet. Sid Sriram, Javed Ali, Anurag Kulkarni, Hari Charan, Chinmayi, Hari Shankar, Padmaja Sreenivasan, Divya S Menon, and Bhavana Isvi also performed live at the event.

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What Is It About?

A BSNL employee Viplav (Vijay Deverakonda) falls in love with Aradhya (Samantha) in Kashmir and she too loves him. They realize later that their marriage is almost impossible because Viplav is the son of a popular atheist Lenin Sathyam (Sachin Khedkar) and Aradhya is the daughter of his arch rival popular Pravachanakartha Chadarangam Srinivasa Rao (Murli Sharma). How Viplav and Aaradhya get married and what happens in their married life is all about Kushi.

Performances

Samantha performed really well and she excelled in a few scenes reminding us of her performances from her first films. Vijay Deverakonda too did well in Kushi. Vijay’s performance, looks and role remind his Geetha Govindam many a time. The chemistry between Vijay and Samantha worked big although the story has it own flaws. Murli Sharma and Sachin Khedkar did their part, while Rohini and Jayaram looked routine. Veteran actress Lakshmi, Sharanya Pradeep, Shatru did fine in their given roles. Rahul Ramakrishna and Vennela Kishore tried their best but the comedy worked only in parts.

Technicalities

Kushi has rich visuals and the cinematography is extraordinary. The production values are really good. Except for the party song, all the melodies and the pathos song are soothing. The Kashmir part in the first half has got good frames all over. The background music is good. Apart from the performances, the overall plot of Kushi has more than one topic that fails to establish a proper connection with each other. The dialogues are fine.

Vijay & Samantha Songs Kashmir Visuals

Thumbs Down

Ineffective Conflict Lack of emotional depth Over-the-top scenes

We have some cult movies like Sakhi with the eloped couples getting married and later facing the struggle of compatibility in married life. Kushi deals with a similar plot but with additional elements like belief in god included within.

The first half has mostly a breezy romance in Kashmir. Though the scenic visuals and songs enthrall us in the first half, the story moves at a snail’s pace keeping us waiting until the actual plot is revealed before the interval. The comedy of Vennela Kishore worked in parts.

While the first half is only about Viplav and Aradhya, the second half is a complete gear shift to family and emotional drama. Again, the story runs at a slow pace with a good number of missing logics, the emotions and comedy becomes the saviors working in parts. One particular scene of Vijay Deverakonda’s Arjun Reddy reference brings out laughs. Some prolonged comedy episodes in the second half manage to entertain the audience.

Kushi has a good share of narrative going flat and pale. Due to the lengthy second half the graph took a fall. The climax episodes with Sachin Khedkar and a few dialogues by Murli Sharma are impressive and they helped it pick up. Many emotional scenes worked well only due to the actors’ performances but the lack of depth in the scenes stuck out like a sore thumb.

The ego war between the fathers of the lead couple appears to be not justified by the misunderstandings they had. Also, the impact of another couple revealing their past is not shown well.

Overall, Kushi is a mixed plot of topics like marriage, misunderstandings, and parents’ egos that work only in parts. The songs, picturization, and a few comedy scenes make it a passable entertainer on the whole. Kushi gets decent marks compared to those disasters attacking audiences every week and it has to be seen how it fares at B & C centers.

Bottomline: Music Rocks – Story Has Cracks

Rating: 2.75 /5

Tags Kushi Movie Review Kushi Review Samantha Kushi Review

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