# Psych Siddhartha
**Psych Siddhartha** (Telugu: సైక్ సిద్ధార్థ) is a 2026 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film written and directed by Varun Reddy, starring Shree Nandu and Yamini Bhaskar.[1](https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/psych-siddhartha/umc.cmc.6ohgxsjfj0ivw2x3hve743d3g) It was theatrically released on 1 January 2026, making it the first Telugu film released in the new year.[1](https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/psych-siddhartha/umc.cmc.6ohgxsjfj0ivw2x3hve743d3g) • [2](https://www.capitalinformation.net/media/2026-02/4-2-26_pages.pdf) Nandu, returning to a lead role after a break of nearly three years, also produced the film and contributed the additional screenplay.[3](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Nov/09/nandu-i-turned-producer-for-psych-siddhartha-to-not-compromise-on-its-essence/) • [4](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-review-a-slick-start-a-messy-finish)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director | Varun Reddy, in his directorial debut[5](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/review/2026/Jan/02/telugureview2026jan01psych-siddhartha-movie-review-a-chaotic-narrative-lacking-emotion) |
| Lead cast | Shree Nandu as Siddharth; Yamini Bhaskar as Shravya[6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39100948/) |
| Release | 1 January 2026 (India, theatrical); 4 February 2026 on Aha[7](https://www.aha.video/movie/psych-siddhartha) |
| Runtime | About 120 minutes (BBFC classification 119m 55s)[8](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/psych-siddhartha-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdq4mji1) |
| Production banners | Spirit Media, Nanduness, and Keep Rolling Pictures[9](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39100948/companycredits/) |
| Music | Smaran Sai[10](https://www.moviebuff.com/psych-siddhartha) |
| Box office | A flop; worldwide gross of $5,511 per Box Office Mojo[11](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt39100948/credits/) |
## Spoilers
### Plot
Siddhartha Reddy (Shree Nandu) has a loving girlfriend and a successful event-management business until his partner Mansoor (Sukesh Reddy) betrays him and takes the money, after which his girlfriend Trisha (Priyanka Rebekah Srinivas) leaves him and sides with Mansoor.[7](https://www.aha.video/movie/psych-siddhartha) • [12](https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-telugu-movie-review-and-rating.html) One review puts the sum he is cheated of at ₹30 million (₹3 crore).[13](https://reviewrowdies.boxofficeandhra.com/2026/01/review-psych-siddhartha-ambitious-but.html) Financially and emotionally shattered, Siddharth slips into alcoholism and a directionless life in a rented house.[4](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-review-a-slick-start-a-messy-finish)
Living on the floor below is Shravya (Yamini Bhaskar), a single mother and classical dancer who teaches dance to young girls and has escaped an abusive marriage.[4](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-review-a-slick-start-a-messy-finish) • [5](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/review/2026/Jan/02/telugureview2026jan01psych-siddhartha-movie-review-a-chaotic-narrative-lacking-emotion) Her presence gradually alters the course of his life, and as Siddharth works to rebuild, his troubled past threatens the new beginning.[4](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-review-a-slick-start-a-messy-finish) • [6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39100948/)
## Production
Nandu co-wrote the story with Varun Reddy, and the two developed it over a few years. They first approached a major production house, which wanted to change the lead actor; rather than compromise, Nandu turned producer and funded the film himself using his earnings from acting, anchoring, and sports commentary.[3](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Nov/09/nandu-i-turned-producer-for-psych-siddhartha-to-not-compromise-on-its-essence/) He has said the film was made on a modest budget to preserve the character's essence, shot mostly in real locations, primarily in the Shaikpet area of [Hyderabad](https://www.edgepedia.org/hyderabad) in a rented house and the nearby streets.[3](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Nov/09/nandu-i-turned-producer-for-psych-siddhartha-to-not-compromise-on-its-essence/) After seeing the final cut, veteran producer Suresh Babu acquired the film, and [Rana Daggubati](https://www.edgepedia.org/rana-daggubati) helped promote it.[3](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Nov/09/nandu-i-turned-producer-for-psych-siddhartha-to-not-compromise-on-its-essence/) • [5](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/review/2026/Jan/02/telugureview2026jan01psych-siddhartha-movie-review-a-chaotic-narrative-lacking-emotion)
The film was originally scheduled for a 12 December 2025 release, but the date was pushed back because of the release of *Akhanda 2*, and it reached theaters on [New Year's Day](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-years-day) 2026.[5](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/review/2026/Jan/02/telugureview2026jan01psych-siddhartha-movie-review-a-chaotic-narrative-lacking-emotion) The British Board of Film Classification certified the film on 16 December 2025 for cinema release, advising of strong language, sexual violence, domestic abuse, and sex.[8](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/psych-siddhartha-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdq4mji1)
## Reception
**Critical response.** Reviews were mixed to negative, with most Telugu outlets rating it between 2 and 2.5 out of 5; the *Times of India* gave 3.5/5.[14](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/psych-siddhartha/etmoviereview/126322229.cms) • [12](https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-telugu-movie-review-and-rating.html) Reviewers consistently praised Nandu's committed performance and the film's distinctive editing style, which uses quirky cuts, onomatopoeia, and pop-up texts to give a comic-book feel.[12](https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-telugu-movie-review-and-rating.html) • [4](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-review-a-slick-start-a-messy-finish) The recurring criticisms were a thin plot, a second half that becomes formulaic and repetitive, and a lack of emotional depth.[4](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-review-a-slick-start-a-messy-finish) • [5](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/review/2026/Jan/02/telugureview2026jan01psych-siddhartha-movie-review-a-chaotic-narrative-lacking-emotion) Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of *The Hindu* wrote that the film "may not be perfect but ushers in a promising voice that's eager to push the boundaries of storytelling."[15](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/psych_siddhartha) Several reviews noted the heavy profanity and adult content, calling it unsuitable for family audiences.[12](https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-telugu-movie-review-and-rating.html) • [5](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/review/2026/Jan/02/telugureview2026jan01psych-siddhartha-movie-review-a-chaotic-narrative-lacking-emotion)
**Box office and streaming.** Despite pre-release curiosity and aggressive promotion, the film failed to make an impact in theaters and was described as a flop or disaster.[16](https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/psych-siddhartha-out-on-ott-where-to-stream-shree-nandus-romantic-drama/9c4e561edf288) [Box Office Mojo](https://www.edgepedia.org/box-office-mojo) records a worldwide gross of $5,511.[11](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt39100948/credits/) It began streaming on Aha on 4 February 2026, about a month after its theatrical release, with Aha Gold subscribers getting access 24 hours early; it later became available on Amazon Prime Video as well.[7](https://www.aha.video/movie/psych-siddhartha) • [17](https://m.sakshipost.com/news/entertainment/shree-nandu-s-psych-siddhartha-and-ugly-story-ott-release-when-and-where-watch) On IMDb it holds a user rating of 8.3/10 from about 1,200 votes, a marked contrast with the critical reception.[6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39100948/)
## Cast and crew
The film features Narasimha S, Priyanka Rebekah Srinivas, Sukesh Reddy, Narsing Wadekar, Bobby Ratakonda, Sakshi Atree Chaturvedi, Mounika, and Pradyumna Billuri in supporting roles.[18](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/news/2026/Jan/26/psych-siddhartha-to-stream-on-aha-from-this-date) Smaran Sai composed the music and background score, K Prakash Reddy served as director of photography, and Prateek Nuti edited the film.[10](https://www.moviebuff.com/psych-siddhartha) Reviewers singled out the music as the strongest technical element, with the songs "Blue Yellow" and "Dhum Thakkum" noted favorably.[19](https://english.teatimetelugu.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-movie-review) • [20](https://www.telugubulletin.com/psych-siddhartha-movie-review-227355)
## References
1. [Psych Siddhartha, Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/psych-siddhartha/umc.cmc.6ohgxsjfj0ivw2x3hve743d3g)
2. [Capital Information, Hyderabad, 4 February 2026](https://www.capitalinformation.net/media/2026-02/4-2-26_pages.pdf)
3. [Nandu: I turned producer for Psych Siddhartha to not compromise on its essence, Cinema Express, 9 November 2025](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Nov/09/nandu-i-turned-producer-for-psych-siddhartha-to-not-compromise-on-its-essence/)
4. [Psych Siddhartha Review: A slick start, a messy finish, TeluguCinema, 1 January 2026](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-review-a-slick-start-a-messy-finish)
5. [Psych Siddhartha Movie Review: A chaotic narrative lacking emotion, The New Indian Express, 2 January 2026](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/review/2026/Jan/02/telugureview2026jan01psych-siddhartha-movie-review-a-chaotic-narrative-lacking-emotion)
6. [Psych Siddhartha (2026), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39100948/)
7. [Psych Siddhartha 2026 Telugu Movie, Aha](https://www.aha.video/movie/psych-siddhartha)
8. [Psych Siddhartha, British Board of Film Classification](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/psych-siddhartha-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdq4mji1)
9. [Psych Siddhartha (2026) Company credits, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39100948/companycredits/)
10. [Psych Siddhartha, Moviebuff](https://www.moviebuff.com/psych-siddhartha)
11. [Psych Siddhartha (2026), Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt39100948/credits/)
12. [Review: Psych Siddhartha – A Quirky Attempt That Falls Short, 123telugu, 2 January 2026](https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-telugu-movie-review-and-rating.html)
13. [Review: Psych Siddhartha: Ambitious But Ordinary, Review Rowdies, 1 January 2026](https://reviewrowdies.boxofficeandhra.com/2026/01/review-psych-siddhartha-ambitious-but.html)
14. [Psych Siddhartha Movie Review, The Times of India, 3 January 2026](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/psych-siddhartha/etmoviereview/126322229.cms)
15. [Psych Siddhartha, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/psych_siddhartha)
16. [Psych Siddhartha out on OTT, OTTplay, 6 February 2026](https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/psych-siddhartha-out-on-ott-where-to-stream-shree-nandus-romantic-drama/9c4e561edf288)
17. [Shree Nandu's Psych Siddhartha and Ugly Story OTT release, Sakshi Post, 5 June 2026](https://m.sakshipost.com/news/entertainment/shree-nandu-s-psych-siddhartha-and-ugly-story-ott-release-when-and-where-watch)
18. [Psych Siddhartha to stream on Aha from this date, Cinema Express, 26 January 2026](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/news/2026/Jan/26/psych-siddhartha-to-stream-on-aha-from-this-date)
19. [Psych Siddhartha – Movie Review, Tea Time Telugu](https://english.teatimetelugu.com/reviews/psych-siddhartha-movie-review)
20. [Psych Siddhartha Review, Telugu Bulletin](https://www.telugubulletin.com/psych-siddhartha-movie-review-227355)
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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 2026*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license