The newly released Telugu film Harudu brings back the vintage style of commercial action cinema. Directed by Raj Thalluri, the film stars senior actor Venkat in a powerful role that marks his return as a full-length lead actor after his recent appearance in the movie OG.
The Storyline
The movie follows DCP Shankar, popularly known as “Encounter Shankar,” a fearless police officer who strikes fear into the hearts of mafia gangs in Mumbai before being transferred to Hyderabad.
Once he takes charge in Hyderabad, Shankar continues his aggressive crackdown on local criminals. His path soon crosses with MLA Varadarajulu (played by Srihari Paila), a powerful local politician who maintains a noble image in public but secretly runs various illegal activities.
At the same time, a group of unemployed young students gets caught up in a desperate situation. To raise money to build their dream food court business, they begin stealing and selling car engines. When Shankar investigates their activities, he uncovers shocking connections linking the stolen engines, political corruption, a brutal attack on the students, and the tragic past murder of his own wife, Priya.
Cast and Performances
The film features a large ensemble cast:
- Venkat delivers a composed performance as Encounter Shankar, using his fit appearance and strong screen presence to elevate the film’s action scenes.
- Natasha Singh plays the role of Shankar’s wife, Priya, adding glamour and a neat performance in her screen time.
- Hebah Patel (or Hebha Patel) adds charm to the narrative.
- Srihari Paila delivers an impressive performance as the main villain, Varadarajulu.
- Ali (or Ali Basha) provides the movie’s comedy elements.
- Saloni (or Saloni Aswani) makes a special appearance to add commercial appeal.
- Suman, Ravi Varma, Ravi, Shaani, Vedvika (or Vedvika Soni), Chandinirao, Adithya, Sunny, Subhasree, and Samiti Gandhi appear in supporting roles.
Behind the Scenes and Technical Crew
- Director: Raj Thalluri balanced action sequences, songs, comedy, and emotional flashbacks to keep the story engaging.
- Producers: The project was produced by T. Rajendra Prasad, Venkat, Dr. Praveen Reddy V, and Dr. Dikkula Laxman Rao under the banner of V R Entertainments.
- Music: The background score and songs were composed by Manizenna, with an additional song composed by Viswa Vemuri.
- Cinematography: The visuals were captured by Anandmarukurthi.
- Editing: The film’s crisp runtime was managed by editor Uppu Maruthi.
- Technical Support: The film also credits PVB Bhushan for digital intermediate (DI) work, Nagaraju for visual effects (VFX), Venkatsrikanth for sound effects (SFX), Shivaraju Master for stunts, and Tejaswi Sajja as the public relations officer (PRO).
Box Office Analysis
Released on May 15, 2026, Harudu has been well-received by fans of traditional commercial cinema. While the core plot may feel familiar to audiences, the fast-paced narration, effective interval twist, emotional flashback sequences, and short runtime prevent the film from dragging, making it an entertaining choice for mass audiences.