Anaganaga Okka Raju, starring Naveen Polishetty with Meenakshi Chaudhary, Rao Ramesh, and supporting cast, is a rural comedy drama praised for clean wholesome humor accessible all ages without vulgarity. Strengths include laugh-out-loud moments, emotional twists, strong performances especially Polishetty's comeback energy. Weaknesses are predictable plot holes, flawed screenplay dialogue editing abrupt cuts. Directed by Vijay Kumar Konda with Naveen co-writing, music by Mickey J Meyer energetic but not lasting. It's a light festive entertainer ideal Sankranthi family viewing delivering laughs warmth despite narrative familiarity.

Vaa Vaathiyaar, directed by Nalan Kumarasamy and starring Karthi, is a quirky comedy-superhero drama rated for its fascinating concept but criticized for not matching the promise. Karthi delivers a committed performance emulating MGR mannerisms in a story of corrupt cop transformation. Strengths include engaging first half, interval hook, and emotional moments; weaknesses are rushed climax, underutilised characters like Krithi Shetty's Wu, and songs disrupting momentum. Santhosh Narayanan's score elevates key sequences. It's enjoyable due to Karthi but disappointing in execution for Pongal release.

Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignapthi, starring Ravi Teja with Dimple Hayathi and Ashika Ranganath, is a comedy entertainer criticized for tired humour, regressive theme, and thin storyline. Ravi Teja's energy shines in patches, but dialogue-driven gags feel outdated, and the climax justifies cheating with problematic logic. Directed by Kishore Tirumala, it's marginally better than recent misfires but a missed Sankranthi opportunity with low laughs and no narrative depth.

Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu, directed by Anil Ravipudi and starring Chiranjeevi with Nayanthara, is a family entertainer rated 3/5. Chiranjeevi shines in his most relaxed performance in years as a security officer navigating a broken marriage. Strengths include engaging first half comedy, tight editing, and Venkatesh cameo delight. Weaknesses are logic gaps, stretched second half, routine villain, and uneven visuals. It's a safe watchable comeback party for Chiranjeevi fans, prioritizing humour over depth.

Parasakthi, directed by Sudha Kongara Prasad and starring Sivakarthikeyan, Atharvaa, and Sreeleela, is a hard-hitting period drama set against 1965 anti-Hindi protests in Tamil Nadu. Rated 3/5, it explores youth uprising against language imposition through emotional arcs and strong dialogues. Strengths include political relevance, performances, and music; weaknesses are abrupt transitions and pacing issues. The film resonates with contemporary debates on unity vs uniformity, making it emotionally and politically charged for Pongal release audiences.

The Raja Saab is a horror-comedy fantasy starring Prabhas as a grandson aiding his Alzheimer-afflicted grandmother (Zarina Wahab) in reuniting with her long-lost husband (Sanjay Dutt), uncovering supernatural family secrets along the way. While Prabhas delivers solid comedy timing and a few emotional moments, the film suffers from outdated writing, aimless direction, underwhelming music by Thaman, excessive runtime, inconsistent VFX, and forced grandeur that fails to live up to its potential

Vrusshabha explores past-life king Vijayendra Vrusshabha (Mohanlal) consequences affecting present businessman Aadi Deva Varma (Mohanlal dual role) family. Terrible direction execution performances visuals music leave no positives—annoying score bad editing laughable AI visuals clueless acting make it patience-testing bore likely top worst films year across industries.

Eesha challenges four friends to spend three nights in a haunted house to expose a fake baba, leading to strange deadly occurrences they must escape. Sound design provides occasional jump scares, Hebah Patel and Akhil Raj perform decently. But dull start, poor gripping screenplay, repetitive loud effects, lack of emotional connect, and outdated execution make it noisy without real thrills.

Champion, set in 1948 post-Independence Secunderabad under Nizam rule, follows aspiring footballer Michael Williams (Roshan Meka) whose England dreams clash with his father's past and a gun delivery task landing him in a Razakar-oppressed village. Roshan impresses with looks and effort, Gira Gira song stands out, production values feel authentic. But emotionless characters, slow uneven screenplay, lengthy runtime, dubbing issues, and weak direction make it flat and boring despite sincere intent.

Shambhala blends science atheism superstition as geoscientist Vikram (Aadi Saikumar) investigates meteor strange behaviors remote village. Aadi confident Archana second half good supporting acts interesting mythology six arishadvargas. Engaging start thrilling second half unique song but repetitive first half convenient screenplay loud BGM mediocre visuals drag. Better than recent Aadi films worth festive try.