Review: Sri Chidambaram Garu: Ordinary Yet Honest

 

Movie: Sri Chidambaram Garu
Rating: 2.75/5

Cast: Vamsi Thummala, Sandhya Vasishta, Tulasi, Kalpalatha and others

Director: Vinay Ratnam

Produced By: Sri Chakraas Entertainment

Release Date: 06-02-2026

Story:

Chidambaram (Vamsi Thummala), whose real name is Solomon, is mocked by villagers for his squinty eyes and earns the nickname “Chidambaram.” Bullied since childhood, Solomon drops out of school and takes up work as a construction labourer after his father commits suicide, unable to repay mounting debts. To avoid unwanted attention and ridicule, Solomon constantly wears dark goggles to hide his eyes.

In the same village lives Leela (Sandhya Vasishta), who has deep feelings for Solomon and wants to express her love. However, Solomon’s deep-rooted insecurities create a rift between them. The story then follows his emotional journey as he learns to accept himself, face society’s comments, and live confidently with his squinty eyes.

Performances:

Vamsi Thummala delivers a natural and endearing performance as Solomon, making the character believable and relatable. Sandhya Vasishta supports the narrative well with a convincing performance. Tulasi and Kalpalatha also do a fine job in their supporting roles.

What Works:

Director Vinay Ratnam builds the film on a decent premise and attempts to convey a positive message. The film has a few genuinely heartwarming moments. The first half flows smoothly, supported by an authentic East Godavari/Rajahmundry backdrop and a reasonably engaging love track. The interval scene stands out for its intensity, while the second half includes some thought-provoking scenes and meaningful dialogues.

What Doesn’t Work:

While the film aims to convey that disability affects only the body and not the heart, and that self-love must come before seeking love from others. But the treatment of this idea in the second half feels routine. The narrative relies heavily on a minor misunderstanding between the lead pair, which weakens the emotional impact.

The fraudulent pastor episode, though important to the story, is handled in an ordinary manner. Additionally, the scenes leading up to the pre-climax are stretched longer than necessary, affecting the film’s overall pace.

Sri Chidambaram Garu Review and Verdict:

Vinay Ratnam’s Sri Chidambaram Garu impresses with an engaging premise, elevated by authentic storytelling and natural performances. The film delivers several effective moments and turns out to be a decent watch overall. But a weaker second half slightly dilutes its impact, preventing it from reaching its full potential.