Robinhood (2025): A Modern Telugu Heist Comedy with Mixed Appeal

Tanisha Sharma March 30, 2025 David Warner cameo, G.V. Prakash Kumar, heist action comedy, Nithiin, Nithiin Sreeleela chemistry, Robinhood 2025, Robinhood film review, Sreeleela, Telugu Cinema, Telugu heist film, Telugu movie review, Venky Kudumula

A fresh collaboration between Nithiin and Sreeleela delivers entertainment but struggles with story consistency

Release Date: March 28, 2025
Director: Venky Kudumula
Cast: Nithiin, Sreeleela, Rajendra Prasad, Vennela Kishore
Genre: Action, Comedy, Heist
Runtime: 2 hours 36 minutes

The Verdict

Robinhood, the latest Telugu cinema offering starring Nithiin and Sreeleela, presents a contemporary spin on the classic Robin Hood tale. While the film begins with promising energy and comedic flourishes, it ultimately delivers an uneven experience that fails to maintain its momentum throughout. For fans of the lead actors, there’s plenty to appreciate in terms of performances and chemistry, but those seeking narrative depth might find the second half lacking.

Plot Overview

The story follows Ram (Nithiin), a skilled thief who earns the nickname “Robinhood” due to his noble practice of stealing from the wealthy to support orphanages. His motivation stems from personal childhood experiences—growing up as an orphan who witnessed hunger firsthand.

When police pressure intensifies, Ram takes an unexpected career turn, accepting a job as a security agent for the daughter (Sreeleela) of a wealthy NRI in a rural village setting. Complicating matters is the film’s antagonist, Sami (Devdatta Nage), who seeks to expand his illegal marijuana enterprise internationally. These elements collide to create a narrative that blends heist sequences with comedy and action.

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What Works

First Half Dynamics

The film’s opening half stands as its strongest segment, successfully balancing action sequences with well-timed comedy. Director Venky Kudumula demonstrates skill in pacing these early scenes, keeping audiences engaged with energetic set pieces and character introductions that establish the film’s tone effectively.

Lead Performances

Nithiin appears comfortable in his role as Ram, particularly excelling in the film’s physical demands and action sequences. His portrayal feels natural in the lighter comedic moments, though some reviewers note he struggles slightly during more intense emotional scenes.

Sreeleela brings charm and vivacity to her character, with her dance sequences standing out as visual highlights. Their on-screen chemistry recalls their previous pairing, though with apparently better results this time around.

Supporting Cast Contributions

Veteran actors Rajendra Prasad and Vennela Kishore provide reliable comedic support, with their interactions serving as consistent audience pleasers. Their presence helps maintain energy during sections where the main plot loses momentum.

Where It Falters

Second Half Struggles

The film’s most significant weakness lies in its second half, where the narrative shifts to more predictable territory. The village-centered episodes in particular rely heavily on familiar tropes that seasoned Telugu cinema viewers will recognize immediately. This shift in quality creates a disjointed viewing experience that undermines the goodwill established early on.

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Script Limitations

Beyond pacing issues, Robinhood suffers from writing that fails to elevate the concept beyond its surface appeal. The climax feels rushed, suggesting either editing compromises or fundamental script problems that weren’t addressed before production.

Technical Aspects

The musical score by G.V. Prakash Kumar registers as serviceable but unmemorable, with even the promoted track “Adhi Dhaa Surprise-u” failing to leave a lasting impression. While cinematographer Sai Sriram captures individual sequences effectively—particularly the action set pieces—the overall visual presentation doesn’t enhance the storytelling in meaningful ways.

Unexpected Elements

An unusual addition to the film is Australian cricketer David Warner’s cameo appearance, marking his Telugu cinema debut. While this cross-cultural moment generated pre-release interest, its execution is described as “needless and unintentionally funny” by some reviewers, suggesting a missed opportunity to integrate this novel casting choice more effectively.

Comparative Context

Robinhood appears to fare somewhat better than Nithiin and Sreeleela’s previous collaboration in Extra-Ordinary Man (2023), which performed poorly critically and commercially. However, it doesn’t reach the heights of thematically similar films like Ravi Teja’s Kick, which more successfully utilized the Robin Hood concept within Telugu cinema’s commercial framework.

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Final Assessment

Robinhood ultimately delivers a mixed viewing experience that starts strong but loses its way. With a runtime exceeding two and a half hours, the film would have benefited from tighter editing and more adventurous storytelling in its latter half. While it provides entertainment value through its performances and comedic moments, it falls short of being a memorable entry in either lead actor’s filmography.

For audiences seeking festive entertainment and fans of the lead actors, Robinhood offers enough to justify a viewing, particularly for its stronger first half. Others might want to adjust expectations or wait for its streaming release on Zee5.

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Robinhood is currently playing in theaters and will be available for streaming on Zee5.

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