# Telusu Kada
**Telusu Kada** (తెలుసు కదా) is a 2025 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film written and directed by Neeraja Kona in her directorial debut, starring [Siddhu Jonnalagadda](https://www.edgepedia.org/siddhu-jonnalagadda), Raashii Khanna, and [Srinidhi Shetty](https://www.edgepedia.org/srinidhi-shetty). It was produced by T. G. Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad under the People Media Factory banner and released in theaters on October 17, 2025.[1](https://pmfwebsite.azurewebsites.net/movies/telusukada/) • [2](https://telugucinema.com/news/telusu-kada-final-box-office-report) The story follows a married couple dealing with infertility whose situation becomes complicated when the husband's former girlfriend offers to act as their surrogate.[3](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/telusu-kada-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmzmzq0)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director | Neeraja Kona, a stylist making her directorial debut; she also wrote the story[1](https://pmfwebsite.azurewebsites.net/movies/telusukada/) • [4](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/telusu-kada-review-interesting-setup-underwhelming-narration) |
| Cast | Siddhu Jonnalagadda as Varun, Raashii Khanna as Anjali, Srinidhi Shetty as Raaga[5](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/telusu_kada) • [6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/telusu-kada/movie-review/124623599.cms) |
| Release | October 17, 2025, in theaters; Netflix streaming from November 14, 2025[2](https://telugucinema.com/news/telusu-kada-final-box-office-report) • [7](https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/telusu-kada/ott.html) |
| Runtime | 132 minutes per the Australian and British classification records[8](https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/telusu-kada) • [3](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/telusu-kada-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmzmzq0) |
| Music | Thaman S; cinematography by Gnana Shekar VS; editing by Naveen Nooli[1](https://pmfwebsite.azurewebsites.net/movies/telusukada/) |
| Box office | Budget around Rs 350 million–400 million (Rs 35–40 crore); worldwide gross Rs 150 million (Rs 15 crore); estimated loss around Rs 170 million (Rs 17 crore)[2](https://telugucinema.com/news/telusu-kada-final-box-office-report) |
| Ratings | M with "Mature themes" advice in Australia; U/A in India; UK release October 31, 2025[8](https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/telusu-kada) • [9](https://epaper.truepointnews.com/media/2025-10/tg-131025.pdf) • [3](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/telusu-kada-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmzmzq0) |
## Spoilers
### Plot
Having grown up without parents and longing for the closeness of loved ones, Varun (Siddhu Jonnalagadda) thinks that getting married will finally give him the sense that he belongs. A heartbreak in his first relationship leaves him cautious and emotionally guarded. He marries Anjali ([Raashii Khanna](https://www.edgepedia.org/raashii-khanna)), but the couple discovers that Anjali cannot conceive due to a medical condition. Their search for hope leads them to Raaga Kumar (Srinidhi Shetty), who introduces the option of surrogacy and then offers to carry the child herself, a decision that shocks Varun because she is his ex-girlfriend.[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/telusu-kada/movie-review/124623599.cms) • [4](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/telusu-kada-review-interesting-setup-underwhelming-narration)
The [British Board of Film Classification](https://www.edgepedia.org/british-board-of-film-classification) summarizes the premise as a couple's struggle with infertility that takes a complicated turn when an ex-partner offers to be their surrogate.[3](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/telusu-kada-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmzmzq0) Reviewers noted that the basic storyline mirrors the 2001 Hindi film *Chori Chori Chupke Chupke*, with the difference that the surrogate mother is the hero's former lover.[4](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/telusu-kada-review-interesting-setup-underwhelming-narration)
## Production and release
Neeraja Kona, previously known as a stylist, wrote and directed the film as her first feature.[4](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/telusu-kada-review-interesting-setup-underwhelming-narration) The crew included cinematographer Gnana Shekar VS, editor Naveen Nooli, and composer [Thaman S](https://www.edgepedia.org/thaman-s).[1](https://pmfwebsite.azurewebsites.net/movies/telusukada/) The film was announced for an October 17, 2025 release coinciding with the Diwali weekend, and it opened alongside Kiran Abbavaram's *K-Ramp* and Priyadarshi's *Mithra Mandali*.[10](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2025/epaper/june/hyderabad-english-edition-2025-06-03.pdf) • [11](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/news/2025/Oct/17/telusu-kada-social-media-reviews-siddu-jonnalagaddas-bold-love-triangle-divides-audiences)
The Australian Classification Board rated the film M for mature themes on October 15, 2025, listing themes of misogyny, manipulation, and fertility issues, a slap across a man's face as the film's violence, sexual references, and mild language.[8](https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/telusu-kada) The BBFC, which classified the film on October 14, 2025 for a UK release on October 31, additionally noted scenes of a miscarriage, coercive and controlling behavior by the male lead, undetailed sex scenes, and implied references to marijuana use.[3](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/telusu-kada-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmzmzq0) The Indian censor board issued a U/A certificate.[9](https://epaper.truepointnews.com/media/2025-10/tg-131025.pdf)
Netflix acquired the digital streaming rights, and the film premiered on the platform on November 14, 2025, with audio tracks in Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, and Tamil.[7](https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/telusu-kada/ott.html) • [12](https://www.netflix.com/title/82020122)
## Box office
The film completed its theatrical run within 10 days of release and was described by TeluguCinema as a huge flop. Made on a budget of around Rs 350 million–400 million (Rs 35–40 crore) and released on a commission basis by the producer himself, it recovered about Rs 150 million (Rs 15 crore) from non-theatrical deals but needed at least Rs 250 million (Rs 25 crore) from theatrical revenue to be a safe venture. It grossed Rs 105 million (Rs 10.50 crore) in India and Rs 42.5 million (Rs 4.25 crore) in North America, for a worldwide total of Rs 150 million (Rs 15 crore); with the producer's share at approximately Rs 80 million–85 million (Rs 8–8.5 crore), the estimated loss was around Rs 170 million (Rs 17 crore).[2](https://telugucinema.com/news/telusu-kada-final-box-office-report) It was the second consecutive disappointment for Siddhu Jonnalagadda after his earlier 2025 release *Jack*.[2](https://telugucinema.com/news/telusu-kada-final-box-office-report) • [10](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2025/epaper/june/hyderabad-english-edition-2025-06-03.pdf)
## Reception
Critical response was mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, three reviews gave the film a 47% Tomatometer score.[5](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/telusu_kada) A survey of Telugu film critics by Nowrunning found the first half widely seen as engaging and fresh, while several critics judged that the second half loses focus and emotional clarity.[13](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/28777/telusu-kada/reviews/)
**Praise centered on the leads.** The Times of India, rating the film 3.0/5, credited Siddhu Jonnalagadda with a layered performance moving between vulnerability and calculation, and called the treatment of relationships refreshingly mature.[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/telusu-kada/movie-review/124623599.cms) Cinema Express gave 3/5, writing that the film is outside the regular Telugu film idiom and that Jonnalagadda "couldn't ask for a better star and driving force," while noting the ending opts for a familiar, unconvincing resolution.[14](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/review/2025/Oct/17/telusu-kada-movie-review-a-complex-ambitious-step-in-the-right-direction) India Today called it a confident debut with bold themes, though it criticized lengthy explanatory dialogues and humor around reproductive issues that sometimes lands awkwardly.[15](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/telusu-kada-review-siddu-jonnalagadda-rom-com-is-engaging-but-confusing-like-modern-day-love-2804653-2025-10-17)
**Criticism targeted the writing.** TeluguCinema's review, at 2.5/5, argued that the protagonist behaves as an extension of Jonnalagadda's established "DJ Tillu" persona rather than as a husband or former lover in intimate situations, and that the execution lacks the emotional depth the premise requires.[4](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/telusu-kada-review-interesting-setup-underwhelming-narration) Filmfare's reviewer gave 2.5/5, citing flaws in pacing and clarity in the second half.[5](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/telusu_kada) Deccan Chronicle, at 2/5, called it a slow-paced love triangle with dated narration undone by a dull screenplay.[16](https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-review/telusu-kada-review-a-slow-paced-love-triangle-with-an-unexpected-twist-1910803) The Hollywood Reporter India's review called it a "dated, frigid romance."[5](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/telusu_kada)
## References
1. [Telusu Kada, People Media Factory](https://pmfwebsite.azurewebsites.net/movies/telusukada/)
2. [Telusu Kada: Final box office report, TeluguCinema (28 October 2025)](https://telugucinema.com/news/telusu-kada-final-box-office-report)
3. [Telusu Kada, British Board of Film Classification](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/telusu-kada-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmzmzq0)
4. [Telusu Kada Review: Interesting setup, underwhelming narration, TeluguCinema (17 October 2025)](https://telugucinema.com/reviews/telusu-kada-review-interesting-setup-underwhelming-narration)
5. [Telusu Kada, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/telusu_kada)
6. [Telusu Kada Movie Review: A stylish romantic drama that dazzles early but drifts later, The Times of India (17 October 2025)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/telusu-kada/movie-review/124623599.cms)
7. [Telusu Kada OTT Release, FilmiBeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/telusu-kada/ott.html)
8. [Telusu Kada, Australian Classification](https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/telusu-kada)
9. [Telusu Kada receives U/A certificate, Point Screen e-paper (13 October 2025)](https://epaper.truepointnews.com/media/2025-10/tg-131025.pdf)
10. [The Pioneer, Hyderabad edition (3 June 2025)](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2025/epaper/june/hyderabad-english-edition-2025-06-03.pdf)
11. [Telusu Kada social media reviews, Cinema Express (17 October 2025)](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/news/2025/Oct/17/telusu-kada-social-media-reviews-siddu-jonnalagaddas-bold-love-triangle-divides-audiences)
12. [Telusu Kada, Netflix](https://www.netflix.com/title/82020122)
13. [Telusu Kada Movie Reviews, Nowrunning](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/28777/telusu-kada/reviews/)
14. [Telusu Kada Movie Review: A complex, ambitious step in the right direction, Cinema Express (17 October 2025)](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/review/2025/Oct/17/telusu-kada-movie-review-a-complex-ambitious-step-in-the-right-direction)
15. [Telusu Kada review, India Today (17 October 2025)](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/telusu-kada-review-siddu-jonnalagadda-rom-com-is-engaging-but-confusing-like-modern-day-love-2804653-2025-10-17)
16. [Telusu Kada Review: A Boring Love Triangle with a Twist, Deccan Chronicle (17 October 2025)](https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-review/telusu-kada-review-a-slow-paced-love-triangle-with-an-unexpected-twist-1910803)
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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 2025*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 19, 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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