8 Vasantalu is a film that possesses a soulful core and a unique narrative concept, but its execution suffers due to overly preachy storytelling and the director Phanindra’s signature poetic dialogues. While these dialogues are typically his strength, in this film they often feel misplaced and emotionally unconvincing, resulting in a sense of drag throughout both halves of the movie.
The first half of the film fares better than the second, though even it isn’t entirely free from the film’s broader issues. The story gains some emotional weight in the final ten minutes, which are arguably the most effective. However, much of the film feels emotionally suffocating, not due to its theme, but because of some irritating characters and the lack of natural flow in dialogue and performance.
Among the positives, Ananthika stands out with a commanding performance, carrying the film with grace and authenticity. Hesham’s musical score and songs lend solid support, and the cinematography is visually appealing. Despite having a profound message about love and transformation “Love doesn’t end a story, it changes us and journeys with us” this emotion is undermined by inconsistent execution and the overpowering nature of the film’s style.
