Uppu Kappurambu (2025) Movie: Keerthy Suresh’s Quirky Village Comedy Misses the Mark
Uppu Kappurambu, the latest Telugu comedy-drama streaming on Amazon Prime Video, brings a unique premise that explores death through a village’s burial crisis. Directed by Ani I.V. Sasi and starring Keerthy Suresh and Suhas in lead roles, this film takes viewers to the quirky village of Chitti Jayapuram in the 1990s.
| Movie Title: | Uppu Kappurambu |
| Release Date: | July 4, 2025 |
| Runtime: | 2h 16m |
| Director: | Ani I. V. Sasi |
| Genres: | Comedy, Drama |
| Rating: | 7.5/10 star |
| Starring: | Babu Mohan, Keerthy Suresh, Suhas |
| Production Company: | Ellanar Films, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Lead Actor: | Keerthy Suresh |
The film features Suhas Pagolu as Chinna, the village gravedigger, Keerthy Suresh as Apoorva, the reluctant village head, along with veteran actors Babu Mohan, Shatru, Subhalekha Sudhakar, and Talluri Rameshwari. Written by Vasanth Maringanti and produced by Radhika Lavu, the movie blends humor with social commentary.
Uppu Kappurambu Cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Shatru | Madhu Babu |
| Subhalekha Sudhakar | Subbaraju |
| Duvvasi Mohan | Malli Babai |
| Babu Mohan | Bheemayya |
| Vishnu Oi | Mic-Man |
| Ravi Teja Nannimala | Tingarodu |
| Rameshwari Talluri | Kondamma |
| Sivannarayana Naripeddi | Shanmukham |
| Keerthy Suresh | Apoorva |
| Suhas | Chinna |
Plot and Storyline
Set in 1990s fictional village Chitti Jayapuram, the story revolves around a peculiar crisis – the village cemetery running out of burial space. Chinna (Suhas) serves as the village’s sole gravedigger, maintaining a tradition where all villagers are buried to the north.
The plot thickens when the village head dies suddenly, and his daughter Apoorva (Keerthy Suresh) is forced to take over leadership despite having no experience. She faces the task of solving the burial shortage while dealing with village politics.
The story explores comedic solutions, from conducting lotteries for burial spots to considering reuse of old graves. The narrative becomes complex when Chinna tells a lie about the graveyard, leading to serious consequences.
Cast Performances
Suhas once again proves his natural acting ability, delivering a grounded performance as gravedigger Chinna. His climactic emotional breakdown showcases his fine acting skills, though some viewers felt they could see more of Suhas than the character.
Keerthy Suresh takes on a completely different role with her quirky appearance and exaggerated behavior. Her character feels cartoonish initially but gradually develops into a convincing performance. Her physical comedy elevates the slapstick moments effectively.
The supporting cast, including Babu Mohan and Shatru, adds charm with light-hearted moments. However, some performances come across as over-the-top, affecting the film’s overall impact.
Technical Aspects
The cinematography by Divakar Mani captures the rural setting authentically, creating neat visual presentation. The visuals and setting beautifully recreate the 1980s village atmosphere with nostalgic appeal.
Sweekar Agasthi’s music delivers meaningful songs while the background score complements the film’s tone effectively. However, editing by Sreejith Sarang could have been tighter, especially in the first half.
Direction and Screenplay
Director Ani I.V. Sasi deserves credit for attempting a fresh and unconventional story. The film shows flashes of brilliance but the screenplay could have been more engaging and balanced.
Some scenes come off as overacted, breaking the immersion. The second half loses grip with weak storytelling that feels stretched, taking away from the initial promise.
What I Liked and Disliked
What Works:
- The unique concept questioning traditions and exploring themes of death and equality
- Strong cinematography effectively recreating the 1990s village atmosphere
- Committed performances from lead actors, particularly Suhas’s natural acting
- Social commentary addressing class divisions and death as the great leveler
What Could Be Better:
- Uneven execution with several over-the-top scenes breaking immersion
- Weak second half with stretched storytelling and pacing issues
- Missed opportunities in fully embracing the film’s eccentric potential
- Need for more restrained direction and tighter editing
Critical Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, with an IMDb rating of 5.6/10. 123telugu.com rated it 2.75/5, noting it as quirky and fun but working only in parts.
Critics praised the ambitious attempt at eccentric satire but noted it doesn’t fully commit to its quirks. Public reviews are polarized – some appreciate the fresh concept, while others found the plot thin.
Many acknowledged the film’s attempt to balance entertainment with depth through social commentary, though some felt this exploration comes as an afterthought.
Final Verdict
Uppu Kappurambu is a bold attempt at creating something different in Telugu cinema. While Suhas and Keerthy Suresh deliver committed performances and technical aspects are solid, uneven execution limits its impact.
For viewers who enjoy quirky, offbeat stories, this offers a decent one-time watch, particularly suited for OTT viewing. The film succeeds in addressing important social themes but inconsistent tone prevents it from becoming the memorable satire it could have been.
I felt the film had genuine potential but didn’t fully embrace its eccentric nature. The first half entertains better than the second, making it a passable watch if you keep modest expectations.
Rating: 2.5/5
