Last updated: 5 May 2026


Telugu · Comedy, Drama, Family
2h 11m · 14 Apr 2023
Music: Govindh Vasantha | DOP: Faiz Siddik | Writer: Ratheesh Ravi
Ratings
Our Rating
2.25
Adi is a Telugu-language thriller that revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a young woman and the subsequent investigation that unravels dark secrets. The narrative weaves through multiple perspectives, gradually revealing the complex relationships and hidden motives among the characters. The story explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the consequences of past actions, set against a backdrop of suspense and emotional turmoil.
Adi attempts to blend a gripping thriller narrative with emotional depth, supported by a screenplay that maintains intrigue throughout. The story unfolds at a measured pace, with the first half focusing on character introductions and setting up the mystery, while the second half intensifies the suspense and delivers key revelations. However, the pacing occasionally falters, with some scenes feeling stretched, which slightly impacts the engagement.
The film's music by Govindh Vasantha stands out, with a haunting background score that effectively heightens the tension and complements the narrative tone. The songs, though limited, are well-placed and add emotional layers without disrupting the flow. Faiz Siddik's cinematography captures the mood well, using lighting and framing to enhance the thriller elements.
Overall, the film's screenplay and direction by Prasobh VIjayan show promise, but the execution could have been tighter, especially in the latter half. The blend of suspense and emotional storytelling is commendable, though some narrative threads could have been explored with more depth to maximize impact.
Shine Tom Chacko: Delivers a nuanced performance, effectively portraying a layered character caught in moral dilemmas.
Ahaana Krishna: Offers a restrained yet impactful portrayal, bringing authenticity to her role.
Dhruvan: Provides solid support with a convincing performance that adds to the film’s tension.
Bitto Davis: Makes a memorable impression with a strong screen presence.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Prasobh VIjayan's direction shows a clear vision for a suspense-driven narrative with emotional depth. His writing attempts to balance character development with plot progression, though at times the screenplay could have been more concise. The direction succeeds in maintaining a tense atmosphere but could benefit from tighter editing to improve pacing.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 40% |
| Neutral | 35% |
| Negative | 25% |
Critics appreciated the film's intriguing premise and strong performances, particularly praising the background score and cinematography. However, several reviews pointed out pacing issues and a lack of depth in some story elements. Overall, the reception was mixed to positive, highlighting the film's potential despite its flaws.
Final Box-Office Result
Adi released on 14 April 2023 (2023).
Adi is declared a FLOP at the box office.
Adi is available on ZEE5 from 21 December 2023.
Adi directed by Prasobh VIjayan. Produced by Dulquer Salmaan, Jom Varghese.
Adi stars Shine Tom Chacko, Ahaana Krishna, Dhruvan, Bitto Davis, Sreekanth Dasan.
Tollybo rates Adi 2.25/5. Verdict: FLOP.
Music for Adi composed by Govindh Vasantha.
Adi — Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family, Runtime: 131 minutes, Language: Telugu.