Plot

Details

Crew

---

Telusu Kada 2025: Exploring the Emotional Depths of Modern Love and Surrogacy

The year 2025 brought a new-age Telugu romantic drama that stirred conversation and marked a significant directorial debut: Telusu Kada. Translating to “You know, right?,” this film goes beyond conventional love stories, choosing instead to explore the complex, emotional, and often challenging terrain of marriage, infertility, and surrogacy in contemporary society.

Starring a captivating ensemble cast including Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Raashii Khanna, and Srinidhi Shetty, and helmed by debut director Neeraja Kona, the film was one of the most anticipated releases of the year, premiering during the festive period of Diwali.

A Bold Debut from Neeraja Kona

One of the most noteworthy aspects of Telusu Kada is that it marks the directorial debut of renowned celebrity stylist-turned-filmmaker Neeraja Kona. Known for her keen eye for aesthetics and her deep connections within the film industry, Kona chose a subject that is considered “bold in its approach” and aimed at an urban, mature audience.

The film’s narrative is a departure from many mainstream Telugu love stories, focusing on a deeply personal and sensitive family matter. Produced by T. G. Vishwa Prasad and Vivek Kuchibhotla under the popular banner People Media Factory, the project had a strong foundation from the outset.

The Core Conflict: A Love Triangle and Surrogacy

Telusu Kada centers on the life of Varun (Siddhu Jonnalagadda), a hardworking chef who has built a successful restaurant business and dreams of a perfect, complete family. His journey to happiness begins when he marries Anjali (Raashii Khanna). However, their joy is short-lived when they discover they are unable to conceive a child naturally.

This is where the plot takes its major turn with the introduction of Dr. Raaga Kumar (Srinidhi Shetty), a character who suggests surrogacy as an option and, controversially, volunteers to be the surrogate mother for their child. The central conflict is intensified by the crucial detail that Dr. Raaga is also Varun’s ex-girlfriend, creating a volatile emotional mix where a man finds himself navigating his love for his wife and the unavoidable, intimate connection to his former flame who is carrying his child.

The film, therefore, tackles a delicate subject with three central characters, each forced to make difficult, life-altering choices that test their bonds and redefine the traditional understanding of love, marriage, and family.

The Star-Studded Cast

The performances of the leading actors were critical in grounding the film’s complex emotional themes:

• Siddhu Jonnalagadda as Varun: Known for his roles in contemporary cinema, Jonnalagadda took on a character that was a “departure from the roles he has done in recent times,” portraying a man stuck between two deeply complicated relationships.
• Raashii Khanna as Anjali: She plays the wife whose desperate desire for a family leads her to make an unconventional and emotionally taxing decision.
• Srinidhi Shetty as Dr. Raaga Kumar: KGF fame actress Srinidhi Shetty marked her major Telugu cinema debut with this role, playing the ex-girlfriend and surrogate, a character designed with a new dimension compared to similar film premises.
• Harsha Chemudu as Abhi: Popular comedian and actor Harsha Chemudu provides comic relief as Abhi, Varun’s best friend.

The Music of Emotion: Thaman S.

The emotional landscape of Telusu Kada was greatly enhanced by the music composed by the celebrated Thaman S. The film marked his first collaboration with both Neeraja Kona and Siddhu Jonnalagadda. The soundtrack became a key component of the film’s promotion, with singles releasing throughout 2025.

Key Songs from the Soundtrack:

• “Mallika Gandha”: The first single, a soulful track, was sung by Sid Sriram.
• “Sogasu Chudatharama”: A melodic duet that further contributed to the film’s romantic appeal.

Theatrical and OTT Reception

Telusu Kada was released theatrically on October 17, 2025, coinciding with the Deepawali week, following a launch ceremony that had garnered significant media attention a year prior.

• Critical Reaction: The film opened to “mixed to positive reviews” from critics. While many praised its “interesting setup,” “bold themes,” and “strong performances,” some noted a faltering pace in the second half and an “underwhelming narration” that softened the impact of the central conflict.
• Box Office Performance: Despite the strong buzz, the film had a reportedly “underwhelming box office run” and struggled to captivate mass commercial audiences, leading to its categorization as a “big failure” at the box office by some industry observers.

In a move to capitalize on the existing buzz and give the film a second life, the digital rights were acquired by the streaming giant Netflix. The film made a swift transition to its digital debut, premiering on November 13, 2025, earlier than initially scheduled, and was made available in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. This move allowed the unique romantic drama to reach a wider audience that may prefer complex, relationship-based themes in the comfort of their homes.

---

AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: What is the release date of the Telusu Kada movie?

The romantic drama Telusu Kada was released theatrically on October 17, 2025, to coincide with the Deepawali festival week.

Q2: Who is the director of the film Telusu Kada?

Telusu Kada is directed by Neeraja Kona, marking her debut as a filmmaker.

Q3: Who are the main actors in Telusu Kada?

The lead cast of the film includes Siddhu Jonnalagadda (Varun), Raashii Khanna (Anjali), and Srinidhi Shetty (Dr. Raaga Kumar).

Q4: What is the main plot of Telusu Kada?

The film is a romantic drama that revolves around a chef (Varun) and his wife (Anjali) who discover they cannot have children. The story follows their emotional journey when Varun’s ex-girlfriend (Dr. Raaga Kumar) suggests and volunteers to be the surrogate mother, navigating the sensitive and complex emotions of love, loss, and the boundaries of a modern family.

Q5: On which OTT platform can I watch Telusu Kada?

The digital streaming rights for Telusu Kada were acquired by Netflix. The film premiered on the platform on November 13, 2025.