Review: 23: Iravai Moodu - Genuine But Inedaquate

 

 

Movie: 23: Iravai Moodu
Rating: 2.5/5

Cast: Teja, Tanmai, Praneeth, Thagubothu Ramesh, Jhansi and others

Director: Raj R

Produced By: Studio 99, Spirit Media

Release Date: May 16, 2025

Story:

The film is based on three real events that took place in Andhra Pradesh in the 1990s: the Tsunduru Massacre (1991), the Chilakaluripeta Bus Burning (1993), and the Jubilee Hills Bomb Blast (1997). It starts with Chandra, an upper-caste lawyer involved in these cases, and then follows a young couple, Sagar and Suseela, along with Sagar's friend Dasu. The story explores how one mistake leads to a tragic bus fire, the consequences that arise, and how everything ties back to the other incidents in relation to the law.

Performances:

Teja plays the lead role, Sagar, and though he impresses in the initial moments, he fails to live up to the character's scope as the movie progresses.  Tanmai is good and gives a decent performance. The supporting cast, including Praneeth (SP Shiva), Thagubothu Ramesh (the jail inmate), Jhansi (the professor), and the lawyer, performed well. Ramesh stood out in several emotional moments near the climax.

What worked for the film:

Director Raj R is known to make films on real events, and he once again tries to create a fictional story from different viewpoints. He is successful in handling a few crucial scenes, which are powerful and resonant, especially in the second half. The honesty in the making is evident throughout the film.

What did not work for the film:

23. The movie is based on the lines, “All are equal, but some are more equal” and “Does the law apply equally to everyone in our society?" As said above, director Raj R's intention is honest, but the execution is not as powerful/consistent as it should have been.  Raj R highlights the differences in court results based on caste and power. Although this is an important point, it was not communicated effectively. The connection between the three major events was unclear, and the main message was lost.

23 Movie Review and Verdict:

The film 23—Iravai Moodu addresses social injustice and other issues in society. While the effort is authentic, and a few sequences in the film hit the target, uneven execution stops it from reaching its aim.