Paradha Review: A Soul-Stirring, Female-Centric Folklore Masterpiece
Film Overview – Cinematic Beauty Meets Emotional Gravitas
Paradha (2025), directed by Praveen Kandregula (renowned for Cinema Bandi), is a bilingual Telugu-Malayalam social drama that ventures into the psychological and cultural realms of tradition, folklore, and inner resilience. Set against rural landscapes, this evocative tale revolves around Subbu, played by Anupama Parameswaran, whose veiled appearance in a magazine sparks a mythic frenzy. To reclaim her autonomy, she embarks on a transformative journey, accompanied by two women-Amishta (Darshana Rajendran) and an elder figure played by Sangeetha Krish-who become unexpected allies in a story that rejects clichés and embraces spiritual realism.
Movie Release Details
Release Date: Paradha is set to be released worldwide on August 22, 2025.
- The trailer announcement confirms this date as the official theatrical release.
- The release is strategically timed to coincide with Chiranjeevi’s birthday, generating added buzz.
Cast & Crew – Faces Behind the Vision
Principal Cast:
- Anupama Parameswaran as Subbu
- Darshana Rajendran as Amishta
- Sangeetha Krish (role unspecified but pivotal)
- Rag Mayur and others in supporting roles
Key Crew:
- Director & Screenplay: Praveen Kandregula
- Writers: Prahaas Boppudi, Poojitha Sreekanti, Praveen Kandregula
- Producers: Sreenivasulu P. V., Vijay Donkada, Sridhar Makkuva (Ananda Media)
- Cinematography: Mridul Sujit Sen
- Editing: Dharmendra Kakarala, long-time Telugu editor
- Music: Gopi Sundar
A Visual Poem: Cinematic Landscapes & Symbolism
One cannot talk about Paradha without acknowledging its cinematography. Mridul Sujit Sen paints the film in breathtaking hues as Subbu’s world unfolds. The visual palette evokes both rustic isolation and spiritual serenity, constructing the film’s mythic atmosphere. Every frame feels sacred, as though filmed in a shamanic dream.
Performances That Resonate: Three Women, One Soul
Anupama Parameswaran delivers what she personally calls “the best film in my 10-year career,” portraying Subbu’s evolution with raw vulnerability and inner strength. Darshana Rajendran, learning even Telugu dubbing despite not knowing the language, is a testament to her immersive commitment, bringing fierce empathy to her role. Sangeetha Krish, with decades of acting experience, grounds the film with maternal gravity and emotional anchors.
A Story Rooted in Folklore & Feminine Power
At its core, Paradha is more than a narrative; it’s a ritual. The title hints at “parda” (veil) and invokes traditions where women lived secluded, echoing archaic practices. But director Praveen Kandregula (co-writer) insists this is entirely fictional, set in an imagined village that questions belief systems, not lectures. The film challenges myths not by debunking them, but by humanizing them, an artistic triumph.
Sound & Music: Gopi Sundar’s Spiritual Reverberations
Gopi Sundar’s soundtrack is both ethereal and grounding. Tracks like Maa Andhaala Siri (March 2025), Yatra Naryasthu (July), and Yegareyi Nee Rekkale (August) tie together devotional folk and pathos-rich melodies. These songs aren’t background, they are protagonists in their own right, whispering the cultural soul of Paradha.
Direction & Script: Feminine-Centric & Non-Preachy
Kandregula’s previous film, Cinema Bandi, was intimate; with Paradha, he scales up to a tale that feels timeless. Filmed in remote locales (possibly the Himalayas), the director urges audiences: “Watch it in theatres only if reviews are good.” This confidence in the film’s gravitas, sans preachiness, simply resonates.
Themes & Symbolism: Veils, Curses, and Self-Discovery
Subbu’s face revealed in print triggers panic symbolic of tradition meeting modernity. The veil isn’t the film’s barrier; it’s Subbu’s inner journey from imposed obscurity to spiritual clarity. Paradha weaves feminism, myth, and folklore into a narrative that asks, “Who do we become when the stories we’re told no longer define us?”
Cultural Resonance: A Film for Our Times
Anupama urges viewers to transcend gendered viewing and see Paradha as a human story. In 2025, amidst commercial churn, Paradha emerges as a sensitive, female-driven drama that respects silence, space, and myth crafted with love, precision, and humanity. This is what makes it powerful, reflective, and distinctly unforgettable.
Why Paradha Shines
- Unique premise blending folklore and feminine resilience.
- Strong performances by celebrated actresses.
- Award-worthy production values—sound, visuals, storytelling.
- Emotional universality—a ritualistic journey that speaks to all.
- Director’s belief in the film, urging theatrical viewing first.
Conclusion: A Mythic Journey That Feels Real
Paradha is the rare kind of cinema that doesn’t just entertain—it transforms. Rooted in culture, yet universal in emotion; intimate, yet epic. Subbu’s journey is our journey: from hidden belief to unveiled identity.
Go see it in theatres, let the silence, folklore, and female spirit wash over you. Paradha is a film that belongs to the soul.
Want to Watch Paradha? Share your thoughts on Subbu’s journey and the film’s mythology in the comments. If not, note the release date August 22, 2025, and make a date with a cinema that dares to be different.