Romanchakam (2026): A Buddy Comedy Wrapped in a Messy Romance
Director Venu Gopal Reddy appears far more confident when Anvesh and his friends are riffing off each other than when the plot demands actual romance. The startup setup, built around a dating app called Romanchakam, generates genuine comic momentum. But the moment the film tries to sell us on the central love story, the energy visibly drains out of the frame.
This tonal imbalance is the film’s defining flaw. The screenplay, credited to Meeraqh, treats the relationship with a casualness that undermines its own premise.
Sumanth Prabhas Anchors the Chaos With Comic Timing
Sumanth Prabhas carries the film on his shoulders, particularly in the comedy sequences with his gang. His performance as Anvesh, a Hyderabad engineering graduate chasing a startup dream, feels natural when he’s bantering with friends. He sells the youthful desperation of launching an app that nobody asked for.
However, when the script demands emotional weight, Prabhas struggles to find a register beyond the comic. The scene where he travels to Chennai to surprise Mythili on her birthday should carry romantic tension. Instead, it plays like another setup for situational humor, leaving the actor with little dramatic material to work with.
The Dating App Gimmick Runs Out of Battery
The premise of a romance blooming through a dating app is genuinely contemporary. Anvesh meeting Mythili in Chennai through Romanchakam and the two becoming friends feels like a premise with real potential. Yet the film never commits to exploring the anxieties of digital intimacy, preferring to coast on situational gags.
Mythili’s decision to block Anvesh across every platform after agreeing to meet him at a hotel is the narrative pivot. It is also where the writing gets frustrating. The sudden cutoff is never given enough emotional grounding, turning a potentially interesting conflict into a plot convenience that irritates rather than intrigues.
Critics have noted this structural weakness. One review bluntly called the film “a messy love story that’s frustrating to watch, ” a sentiment that captures the gap between the film’s comic confidence and its romantic clumsiness.
Supporting Gang Steals the Show, Ananthika Gets a Thin Role
Ananthika Sanilkumar plays Mythili, the romantic counterpart whose sudden blocking of Anvesh drives the conflict. She brings a certain guardedness to the role that fits the mystery, but the writing gives her little to do beyond being the object of Anvesh’s pursuit. Her character’s motivation remains frustratingly opaque, weakening the emotional core.
Venkatesh Kakumanu, part of the friend group, benefits from the film’s strongest asset: the gang comedy. The supporting cast, including Narendra Ravi, Mani Aegurla, and Sai Sohan, functions as a reliable comedy unit. Their repeated humorous scenes maintain momentum even when the main plot stalls.
The first half’s slow pacing has been widely criticised. BigTV Live’s average rating of 2.75/5 reflects this mixed reception, while another critic noted that “the first half has issues, and the film takes a slow start.” The film’s opening day collection of ₹1.50 crore, as reported by Sacnilk, suggests decent curiosity but the trade verdict will depend on word of mouth, which appears divided between those enjoying the comedy and those frustrated by the romance.
If you are in the mood for undemanding Telugu entertainment with a buddy-comedy texture, this film has its moments. But those seeking a coherent romantic comedy will find the emotional track severely undercooked.
For more on how Telugu romantic comedies handle their emotional arcs, browse these Telugu Romance reviews.
Verdict: A Time-Pass Watch With a Broken Heart
Romanchakam works best when it stops pretending to be a love story and embraces its identity as a buddy comedy. The film’s fun factor, driven by the friend gang, is genuine and keeps the runtime of 140 minutes bearable. But I cannot ignore how the central romance collapses under the weight of its own messy writing.
The emotional scenes feel rushed, and Mythili’s character remains a mystery for all the wrong reasons. If you are looking for light entertainment with friends, this will pass the time. Just do not expect the romance to leave any lasting impression.
For a similar take on how friendship dynamics can overshadow a central plot, check out this Soulmates Oru review.
Romanchakam is a passable comedy that fails as a romance, earning a middling 2.5/5 for its uneven execution and underdeveloped emotional core.
If uneven pacing and ambition gaps interest you, this Toxic verdict offers a similar critique.
Ankit Jaiswal is the Chief Author, covering Indian cinema and OTT releases with honest, no-filler criticism. An SEO strategist by background, he brings a research-driven approach to film writing, cutting through hype to tell you exactly what's worth your time.
