Two years after the urban romantic comedy Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty (2023), Naveen Polishetty returns to familiar territory with Anaganaga Oka Raju, a film that leans heavily into loud, rapid-fire humour. Directed by Maari and co-written by Naveen along with Chinmayi Ghatraju, the film is an unapologetic gag-fest built on a wafer-thin story. While the narrative is predictable and occasionally stretched thin, the lead performances ensure the ride remains largely enjoyable.
Unlike the relative restraint Naveen displayed in his previous outing, Anaganaga Oka Raju sees him playing openly to the gallery. Jokes come thick and fast, often without allowing the audience much breathing space. The humour mostly operates in the no-brainer zone, making it clear early on that the film is not meant to be taken seriously. Director Maari reinforces this tone from the opening scenes, placing Naveen front and centre for much of the runtime.
A Predictable Setup, Lifted by Writing
Set in the fictional village of Peddapalem in Andhra Pradesh, the story follows Raju, a descendant of a once-wealthy zamindar family. The riches are long gone, leaving behind little more than crumbling pride and hollow status symbols. Raju, however, refuses to accept reality. Lazy, entitled, and driven by appearances, he decides the easiest solution is to marry into wealth and continue living a “king-size” life.
The story arc is easy to read. Anyone familiar with mainstream Telugu cinema can predict where the film is headed within the first few scenes. Yet, the writing manages to squeeze out sharp one-liners and situational gags that keep the comedy afloat, even when the plot offers few surprises.
When the Film Finds Its Groove
The initial half hour is shaky, with jokes that don’t always land. The film truly finds its rhythm with the entry of Charulatha, played by Meenakshi Chaudhary. Her introduction marks a tonal shift, injecting energy into the narrative. When Raju crosses paths with Charulatha — extravagantly dressed and adorned with jewellery — the twist is obvious, but the humour surrounding it remains playful and effective.
The film pokes fun at a wide range of pop culture references, from Baahubali to Titanic, from Arijit Singh and Ranbir Kapoor to Korean dramas. Some jokes work better than others, but Naveen’s comic timing smooths over the misses. His commitment to absurdity helps sell even the most nonsensical ideas, including the hilariously ridiculous concept of a “Peddapalem branch of Goa’s Baga Beach.”
Technical Simplicity, Musical Support
Mickey J Meyer’s music fits neatly into the film’s lighthearted tone, enhancing the humour without overpowering it. The technical aspects are fairly basic, but the breezy mood makes it easier to overlook these limitations. That said, a couple of songs feel unnecessary and slow the pacing.
Once the central twist is revealed, the film briefly loses momentum. Certain comedic and dramatic stretches feel prolonged, as though the makers struggled to maintain narrative freshness. Thankfully, the screenplay avoids turning the conflict into a standard revenge-driven track, choosing instead to pivot in a different direction.
A Shift Toward Social Satire
In its latter half, Anaganaga Oka Raju transitions from broad comedy to mild social satire, touching upon themes like reel addiction and public apathy toward real-world issues. While the ideas themselves are not new and have been explored in earlier political and social dramas, the film handles the transformation of its characters with reasonable conviction.
Performances Hold It Together
The film rests squarely on Naveen Polishetty’s shoulders, and he delivers with confidence. His energy carries both the humour and the emotional beats. Meenakshi Chaudhary, within the limited scope of her role, makes a graceful impression. Unfortunately, seasoned actors like Rao Ramesh are underutilised in poorly developed roles.
Final Verdict
Anaganaga Oka Raju could have benefited from tighter, sharper writing and a more balanced narrative. Despite its uneven structure, the film remains watchable thanks to Naveen Polishetty’s comic brilliance and Meenakshi Chaudhary’s screen presence. It may not match the impact of Jathi Ratnalu, but it offers enough laughs to justify a casual