A1 Express (2021) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 5 May 2026
A1 Express (2021) Review
A1 Express (2021) is a Telugu drama film directed by Dennis Jeevan Kanukolanu, starring Sundeep Kishan, Lavanya Tripathi, Murali Sharma. The Yanam hockey team is fighting hard to save their stadium from a corrupt Sports Minister. Will they win the match that decides their fate? Our Rating: 2.5/5. Verdict: AVERAGE. Released: 5 Mar 2021. Runtime: 2h 10m.
A1 Express(2021)
Telugu · Drama
2h 10m · 5 Mar 2021
Music: HipHop Tamizha Jeeva, HipHop Tamizha Adhi | DOP: Kavin Raj | Writer: Devesh Jeyachandran, Sreekanth Vasrp
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
📖 Story
A1 Express is a sports drama centered around volleyball, depicting the journey of a passionate player who overcomes personal and professional challenges to revive his career and inspire his team to victory.
Sundeep Kishan: Energetic and earnest portrayal of a determined volleyball player.
Lavanya Tripathi: Supportive and engaging as the female lead, adding emotional depth.
Murali Sharma: Strong presence in a pivotal supporting role.
Dennis Jeevan Kanukolanu: Convincing and impactful in a key supporting character.
Sundeep Kishan: Provides comic relief with natural timing.
Lavanya Tripathi: Memorable supporting role with intensity.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Engaging sports sequences
- ✓Energetic performances by lead actors
- ✓Good music score by HipHop Tamizha
- ✓Cinematography capturing the sport effectively
Weaknesses
- ✕Predictable storyline
- ✕Pacing issues in the second half
- ✕Underdeveloped supporting characters
- ✕Some clichéd dialogues
🎬 Direction & Writing
Dennis Jeevan Kanukolanu delivers a straightforward sports drama with a focus on the emotional and physical struggles of the protagonist, though the narrative lacks novelty and depth in certain areas.
📰 Critic Reviews
A1 Express is a decent attempt and the film is stuffed with all the ingredients in the backdrop of hockey. The performances along with the strong technical aspects make A1 Express a decent one-time watch.
On the whole, A1 Express is a sports drama that has decent drama. Comedy, romance, and action are unleashed in equal doses to keep the audience entertained. Though the story looks predictable, the narration is impressive and does not bore you much. If you ignore the slightly slow start, this film ends as a breezy watch…
A1 Express is an official remake of Tamil film Natpe Thunai. The basic story of corporate greed vs a coach and his players fighting to their hockey ground is David vs Goliath type of theme which has a great potential. With the story, screenplay and music in place, the director has to work out on bringing the soul and e…
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 2.25 | |
| 2.5 | |
| 3 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 40% |
| Negative | 30% |
Critics
Critics appreciated the film's sports sequences and lead performances but pointed out the predictable plot and pacing flaws. The music and cinematography were noted as positive aspects, while the screenplay was seen as lacking originality.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did A1 Express release in theatres?▾
A1 Express released on 5 March 2021 (2021).
Is A1 Express a hit or flop?▾
A1 Express is declared a AVERAGE at the box office.
Where to watch A1 Express online? OTT release date?▾
A1 Express is available on Sun NXT, MX Player, Vi Movies and TV from 1 May 2021.
Who directed A1 Express?▾
A1 Express directed by Dennis Jeevan Kanukolanu. Produced by T G Vishwa Prasad, Abhishek Agarwal, Sundeep Kishan.
Who are the main cast members of A1 Express?▾
A1 Express stars Sundeep Kishan, Lavanya Tripathi, Murali Sharma.
What is the Tollybo rating for A1 Express?▾
Tollybo rates A1 Express 2.5/5. Verdict: AVERAGE.
Who composed the music for A1 Express?▾
Music for A1 Express composed by HipHop Tamizha Jeeva, HipHop Tamizha Adhi.
What is the genre and runtime of A1 Express?▾
A1 Express — Genre: Drama, Runtime: 130 minutes, Language: Telugu.