Agnyaathavaasi (2018) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 5 May 2026
Agnyaathavaasi (2018) Review
Agnyaathavaasi (2018), a Telugu action, drama movie starring Pawan Kalyan, Keerthy Suresh, Anu Emmanuel, is reviewed here. Directed by Trivikram Srinivas. A billionaire Govinda Bhargav and his son are murdered with the aim of a hostile takeover of their company. But what his enemies do not know is that he has an heir that no one knows of. Our Rating: 1.75/5. Verdict: DISASTER. Released: 9 Jan 2018. Runtime: 2h 38m.


Agnyaathavaasi(2018)
Prince in Exile
Telugu · Action, Drama
2h 38m · 9 Jan 2018
Music: Anirudh Ravichander | DOP: V. Manikandan | Writer: Trivikram Srinivas, Sanjeev Tiwari
Ratings
Our Rating
1.75
📖 Story
Abhishikta Bhargav is the secret son of billionaire business tycoon Govinda Bhargav (Vinda). Following the brutal assassination of Vinda and his younger son by corporate rivals, Vinda’s wife Indrani calls Abhi out of exile to find the killers. Abhi infiltrates his father's company undercover as a low-level employee named Balasubramanyam to uncover the conspiracy, reclaim his empire, and avenge his family.
Agnyaathavaasi arrived with monumental expectations as the third collaboration between Pawan Kalyan and Trivikram Srinivas, but it largely failed to deliver the magic of their previous hits. The film's primary issue lies in its wafer-thin script and a screenplay that feels surprisingly disjointed for a Trivikram directorial. The first half is heavily padded with slapstick comedy at the workplace and a romantic subplot involving two heroines that feels dated and forced, slowing the pacing significantly before the main plot kicks in.
The second half attempts to blend corporate intrigue with mass action, but the 'Largo Winch' inspired storyline lacks the necessary gravity. While there are a few trademark Trivikram moments—such as the 'Nakula Dharma' fight sequence—the emotional core is noticeably absent. The transition from lighthearted comedy to a serious revenge saga is jarred, and the climax feels overextended and lacking a satisfying payoff.
Technically, the film is top-notch. Anirudh Ravichander’s debut in Telugu is a major highlight; his background score is eclectic and elevates even the more mundane scenes, while songs like 'Baitikochi Chuste' were chartbusters. V. Manikandan’s cinematography is rich and corporate, giving the film a high-end visual appeal. However, these technical strengths cannot mask the narrative's lack of soul.
Ultimately, Agnyaathavaasi is a case of style over substance. Despite Pawan Kalyan’s charismatic screen presence and some sharp dialogues, the film struggles with inconsistent tonality and a weak antagonist arc. It stands as a disappointing venture for fans who expected a sophisticated family entertainer similar to 'Attarintiki Daredi'.
Pawan Kalyan: Carries the film with his unique mannerisms and screen presence; however, his characterization as 'Bala' feels overly dramatic at times.
Keerthy Suresh: Looks beautiful but is limited by a poorly written role that focuses more on slapstick comedy than substance.
Anu Emmanuel: Her role is largely ornamental, primarily serving the romantic subplots and songs.
Aadhi Pinisetty: Stylish and menacing as the antagonist, though his character is underutilized and ends on a weak note.
Khushbu: Brings a sense of dignity and grace to her pivotal role as Indrani.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Anirudh Ravichander's refreshing BGM and music
- ✓High production values and cinematography
- ✓Pawan Kalyan's charisma and star power
- ✓Occasional sharp dialogues and the 'Nakula Dharma' sequence
Weaknesses
- ✕Weak and predictable screenplay
- ✕Slow pacing and incoherent narrative flow
- ✕Lack of emotional depth in the revenge plot
- ✕Silly comedy tracks and underdeveloped female leads
🎬 Direction & Writing
Trivikram Srinivas, usually known for his 'wizardry of words' and strong family emotions, delivers one of his weakest works here. The direction lacks the usual 'Trivikram touch,' focusing more on hero-glorification than cohesive storytelling.
📰 Critic Reviews
Release date : January 10, 2018 123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5 Starring : Pawan Kalyan, Keerthy Suresh, Anu Emmanuel Director : Trivikram Srinivas…
Pawan has a strong fan base among the masses and any director would have played it to the gallery with a couple of mass numbers in the audio album. However, Trivikram once again proves that he’s a class apart and together with Anirudh, the maverick director comes up with a classy album for Agnyaathavaasi. Gaali Vaaluga…
Agnyatavaasi showcases a different meaning of the word power packed with mellowed down songs and definitely something which would Sweep into audience with time! For those who expect out and out racy numbers , this album is not their choice.
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1.75 | |
| 2 | |
| 2.75 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
🏆 Records & Box Office
- - Opened to record-breaking numbers in the USA and Telugu states due to immense hype.
- - Experienced one of the biggest Day 2 drops in Tollywood history due to negative word-of-mouth.
- - Resulted in significant losses for distributors across all territories.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | Small segment of fans enjoyed the styling and Anirudh's songs. |
| Neutral | Appreciated the technical quality but found the story absent. |
| Negative | Widespread criticism for the director's poor writing and the 'Largo Winch' plagiarism controversy. |
Critics
Critics heavily panned the film, citing the lack of a proper story and Trivikram's uninspired writing as major drawbacks. While the technical aspects and Pawan's performance were noted, the general consensus was that the film was a massive letdown.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Agnyaathavaasi release in theatres?▾
Agnyaathavaasi released on 9 January 2018 (2018).
Is Agnyaathavaasi a hit or flop?▾
Agnyaathavaasi is declared a DISASTER at the box office.
What is the budget of Agnyaathavaasi?▾
Budget of Agnyaathavaasi is approximately ₹75 Crore.
Where to watch Agnyaathavaasi online? OTT release date?▾
Agnyaathavaasi is available on Sun NXT, Vi Movies and TV from 19 December 2018.
Who directed Agnyaathavaasi?▾
Agnyaathavaasi directed by Trivikram Srinivas. Produced by S. Radha Krishna.
Who are the main cast members of Agnyaathavaasi?▾
Agnyaathavaasi stars Pawan Kalyan, Keerthy Suresh, Anu Emmanuel.
What is the Tollybo rating for Agnyaathavaasi?▾
Tollybo rates Agnyaathavaasi 1.75/5. Verdict: DISASTER.
Who composed the music for Agnyaathavaasi?▾
Music for Agnyaathavaasi composed by Anirudh Ravichander.
What is the genre and runtime of Agnyaathavaasi?▾
Agnyaathavaasi — Genre: Action, Drama, Runtime: 158 minutes, Language: Telugu.
