# 18 Pages
**18 Pages** (18 పేజీస్) is a 2022 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film directed by Palnati Surya Pratap, with the story and screenplay written by director Sukumar, starring [Nikhil Siddhartha](https://www.edgepedia.org/nikhil-siddhartha) and [Anupama Parameswaran](https://www.edgepedia.org/anupama-parameswaran).[1](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2022/Oct/26/telugu-romantic-entertainer-18-pages-locks-release-date-35996.html) It follows Siddhu, a heartbroken app developer who finds a diary written by a woman named Nandhini, falls in love with the person he reads about, and sets out to find her.[2](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11915042/) The film was released in theaters on 23 December 2022.[3](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/18-pages-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdewmtq4)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director / writer | Palnati Surya Pratap (direction, screenplay); Sukumar (story and screenplay); Srikanth Vissa (dialogue)[1](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2022/Oct/26/telugu-romantic-entertainer-18-pages-locks-release-date-35996.html) • [4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11915042/fullcredits/) |
| Lead cast | Nikhil Siddhartha as Siddhu; Anupama Parameswaran as Nandhini[5](https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/18-pages/cast-crew.html) |
| Production | Bunny Vas producing for GA2 Pictures in association with Sukumar Writings; presented by Allu Aravind[6](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyEDf2f0iiQ) |
| Release | 23 December 2022, theatrical; CBFC certified UA on 20 December 2022 at a length of 137 minutes[3](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/18-pages-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdewmtq4) • [7](https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/assets/pdf/CC_Issued_2022.pdf) |
| Runtime | 2 hours 17 minutes (BBFC lists approximately 135 minutes)[8](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/18-pages/movie-review/96449340.cms) • [3](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/18-pages-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdewmtq4) |
| Music | Gopi Sundar; cinematography by A Vasanth; editing by Navin Nooli[9](https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/18-pages-telugu-movie-review.html) |
| Box office | Rs 47.8 million (Rs 4.78 crore) opening weekend; makers announced Rs 200 million (Rs 20 crore) in the first week and Rs 250 million (Rs 25 crore) in 10 days[10](https://www.telugubulletin.com/box-office-report-how-much-did-18-pages-collect-173576) • [11](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/news/2022/Dec/30/nikhil-siddharthas-18-pages-collects-rs-20-crore-in-1st-week-38202.html) |
| Streaming | Netflix and Aha[12](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/25701/telugu/18-pages/) |
## Spoilers
### Plot
Siddhu (Nikhil Siddhartha) is an app developer whose girlfriend cheats on him, pushing him into depression.[9](https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/18-pages-telugu-movie-review.html) During this period he comes across a diary written by Nandhini (Anupama Parameswaran), a young woman who lives an orthodox life without being bound to technology and uses the diary to keep track of her life.[2](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11915042/) As he reads the 18 pages she has written, he falls for the woman he has never met and sets out to find her; when he tries to meet her, a twist enters the story.[9](https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/18-pages-telugu-movie-review.html) • [13](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2022/epaper/december/hyderabad-english-edition-2022-12-24.pdf)
The two leads do not meet until a pivotal late moment in the film.[14](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/18-pages-review-few-pages-are-interesting) Nandhini does not use a phone, and the script builds its theme around the contrast between Siddhu, whose life runs through his screen, and a woman who believes in living life and in human interaction.[15](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/review/2022/Dec/23/18-pages-movie-review-heartfelt-as-a-drama-engrossing-as-a-thriller-38042.html) The Cinema Express review described the film as one that spins its whole script around the modern lack of human interaction without getting preachy, and noted that it moves between a light-hearted register and thriller territory.[15](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/review/2022/Dec/23/18-pages-movie-review-heartfelt-as-a-drama-engrossing-as-a-thriller-38042.html)
## Production and release
The film was launched in [Hyderabad](https://www.edgepedia.org/hyderabad) on 5 March 2020, with shooting set to commence soon after; it was announced as a romantic entertainer narrating the 18-page love story of its protagonist.[16](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/stories/news/2020/Mar/05/nikhil-siddhartha-palnati-surya-prataps-film-titled-18-pages-17367.html) According to Nikhil Siddhartha, the project began in 2019 and faced multiple setbacks: Sukumar was unavailable for nearly six months to finish the scripting process because of *Pushpa*, while Nikhil was busy with *Karthikeya 2* during the same period, and the team also opted for reshoots to improve some scenes.[17](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/interviews/2022/Dec/22/nikhil-siddhartha-18-pages-is-more-than-a-love-story-38010.html) Nikhil joined the final schedule of shooting in October 2022.[18](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/18-pages-nikhil-siddhartha-joins-the-last-leg-of-shooting/articleshow/95078047.cms)
The makers locked the release date of 23 December 2022, timed for Christmas, in an announcement on 26 October 2022.[1](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2022/Oct/26/telugu-romantic-entertainer-18-pages-locks-release-date-35996.html) The theatrical trailer was released on 17 December 2022 and crossed 8 million views within a day.[19](https://telanganatoday.com/nikhil-anupamas-18-pages-trailer-garners-good-response) The Central Board of Film Certification certified the film UA on 20 December 2022 with a listed length of 137 minutes.[7](https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/assets/pdf/CC_Issued_2022.pdf) The British Board of Film Classification, which classified the film for UK cinema release on 21 December 2022, rated it for moderate violence, threat, and occasional bloody images, noting a flashback in which a man assaults a woman, cut throats without strong detail, and an abduction scene with a knife.[3](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/18-pages-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdewmtq4) Nikhil said no Hindi version had been planned when the film began in 2019, and the team felt that suddenly opting for a pan-India release might not be right.[17](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/interviews/2022/Dec/22/nikhil-siddhartha-18-pages-is-more-than-a-love-story-38010.html)
## Reception and box office
Critical response was mixed to positive.[11](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/news/2022/Dec/30/nikhil-siddharthas-18-pages-collects-rs-20-crore-in-1st-week-38202.html) The Times of India gave 2.5 out of 5, writing that the film keeps you engaged but never manages to elevate the material, while praising Nikhil and Anupama's performances and [Gopi Sundar](https://www.edgepedia.org/gopi-sundar)'s music.[8](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/18-pages/movie-review/96449340.cms) 123telugu rated it 3 out of 5, calling it a decent love story with a breezy first half but a slow second half and a routine flashback.[9](https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/18-pages-telugu-movie-review.html) TeluguCinema's review, also at 2.5 out of 5, found the premise of falling in love with a diary and searching for its writer without a phone difficult to accept for 2021/22, but highlighted Gopi Sundar's songs, particularly "Nannaya Raasina" and "Nee Valla O Pilla".[14](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/18-pages-review-few-pages-are-interesting) Cinema Express was more favorable, calling it heartfelt as a drama and engrossing as a thriller, and singled out Navin Nooli's editing, writing that in this film editing and storytelling are inseparable.[15](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/review/2022/Dec/23/18-pages-movie-review-heartfelt-as-a-drama-engrossing-as-a-thriller-38042.html)
**Box office.** The film registered a weak opening weekend, collecting Rs 47.8 million (Rs 4.78 crore), of which Rs 37.3 million (Rs 3.73 crore) came from the Telugu states; TeluguBulletin reported a breakeven target of Rs 125 million (Rs 12.50 crore), while the makers claimed the budget had already been recovered through pre-release business.[10](https://www.telugubulletin.com/box-office-report-how-much-did-18-pages-collect-173576) The makers subsequently announced Rs 200 million (Rs 20 crore) collected in the first week and Rs 250 million (Rs 25 crore) in 10 days of theatrical run.[11](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/news/2022/Dec/30/nikhil-siddharthas-18-pages-collects-rs-20-crore-in-1st-week-38202.html) • [20](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2023/Jan/02/18-pages-box-officenikhil-siddhartha-and-anupama-parameswarans-film-collectsrs-25-crore-in-10-da-38281.html) The film marked the reunion of Nikhil and Anupama after the pan-Indian success of *Karthikeya 2*.[20](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2023/Jan/02/18-pages-box-officenikhil-siddhartha-and-anupama-parameswarans-film-collectsrs-25-crore-in-10-da-38281.html)
## Cast and crew
The supporting cast includes Dinesh Tej, Posani Krishna Murali, Brahmaji, Ajay, Goparaju Ramana, and Sarayu, who plays Siddhu's friend Baghi.[5](https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/18-pages/cast-crew.html) • [8](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/18-pages/movie-review/96449340.cms) Gopi Sundar composed the music, A Vasanth handled cinematography, Navin Nooli edited, and Ramana Vanka was the art director.[9](https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/18-pages-telugu-movie-review.html) • [12](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/25701/telugu/18-pages/) Director Palnati Surya Pratap had previously directed *Current* and *Kumari 21F*, the latter also written by Sukumar, his mentor.[18](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/18-pages-nikhil-siddhartha-joins-the-last-leg-of-shooting/articleshow/95078047.cms)
## References
1. [Telugu romantic entertainer 18 Pages locks release date, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2022/Oct/26/telugu-romantic-entertainer-18-pages-locks-release-date-35996.html)
2. [18 Pages (2022), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11915042/)
3. [18 Pages, British Board of Film Classification](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/18-pages-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdewmtq4)
4. [18 Pages (2022) Full cast & crew, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11915042/fullcredits/)
5. [18 Pages Cast & Crew, FilmiBeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/18-pages/cast-crew.html)
6. [18 Pages Theatrical Trailer, Geetha Arts (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyEDf2f0iiQ)
7. [List of films certified in 2022, Central Board of Film Certification](https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/assets/pdf/CC_Issued_2022.pdf)
8. [18 Pages Movie Review: This love story is a mixed bag, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/18-pages/movie-review/96449340.cms)
9. [Review: 18 Pages – Decent outing, 123telugu](https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/18-pages-telugu-movie-review.html)
10. [Box Office report: How much did 18 Pages collect?, TeluguBulletin](https://www.telugubulletin.com/box-office-report-how-much-did-18-pages-collect-173576)
11. [Nikhil Siddhartha's 18 Pages collects Rs 20 crore in 1st week, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/news/2022/Dec/30/nikhil-siddharthas-18-pages-collects-rs-20-crore-in-1st-week-38202.html)
12. [18 Pages (2022), Nowrunning](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/25701/telugu/18-pages/)
13. [18 Pages review, The Pioneer (Hyderabad edition, 24 December 2022)](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2022/epaper/december/hyderabad-english-edition-2022-12-24.pdf)
14. [18 Pages Review: Few pages are interesting, TeluguCinema](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/18-pages-review-few-pages-are-interesting)
15. [18 Pages Movie Review: Heartfelt as a drama, engrossing as a thriller, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/review/2022/Dec/23/18-pages-movie-review-heartfelt-as-a-drama-engrossing-as-a-thriller-38042.html)
16. [Nikhil Siddhartha, Palnati Surya Pratap's film titled 18 Pages, Cinema Express (5 March 2020)](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/stories/news/2020/Mar/05/nikhil-siddhartha-palnati-surya-prataps-film-titled-18-pages-17367.html)
17. [Nikhil Siddhartha: 18 Pages is more than a love story, Cinema Express interview](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/interviews/2022/Dec/22/nikhil-siddhartha-18-pages-is-more-than-a-love-story-38010.html)
18. ['18 Pages': Nikhil Siddhartha joins the last leg of shooting, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/18-pages-nikhil-siddhartha-joins-the-last-leg-of-shooting/articleshow/95078047.cms)
19. [Nikhil, Anupama's '18 Pages' trailer garners good response, Telangana Today](https://telanganatoday.com/nikhil-anupamas-18-pages-trailer-garners-good-response)
20. [18 Pages box office: film collects Rs 25 crore in 10 days, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2023/Jan/02/18-pages-box-officenikhil-siddhartha-and-anupama-parameswarans-film-collectsrs-25-crore-in-10-da-38281.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Telugu films of the 2020s › Telugu films of 2020–2022*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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