Libramedi Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

TaryBiggBall It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Stephanie There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

MartinHafer The fact that I am not an Indian and don't live in India is something you should consider when you read my review. I do lover Indian films and have seen a couple hundred...but I am definitely an outsider. "Athadu" is a film I enjoyed during the first half of the movie. But as the film progressed, my interest waned greatly. And the CGI- intensive ending really, really annoyed me.The film begins with a sweet little kid, Nandu, murdering some gangster type. Obviously this is NOT an ordinary little psychopath. Soon a guy sees the kid's psychotic promise and gets him to become a contract killer. The credits appear and then suddenly the boy has grown to be a studly man. He is now a super-assassin. In fact he's so good that he's approached with a bizarre proposition...he's to deliberately make an unsuccessful attempt on a politician's life. They explain that the injury will guarantee the guy an easy win in the election. However, when Nandu is setting up and readying for his shot with a rifle and scope, someone else shoots and kills one of the folk!! Almost instantly, the police KNOW where Nandu is and try to catch him...he's obviously a patsy for someone's evil plot.After evading the police, he finds himself in a train with a talkative man named Pardhu. It seems that Pardhu has been estranged from his small town family for over a decade and now he's finally returning. However, after conveniently telling Nardu EVERYTHING about himself, Pardhu is killed by police fire as shots ring out. Nardu escapes again and makes himself to the town where Pardhu was headed...with the intention of him assuming Pardu's life and identity. This is a nice setup and I liked this portion of the movie. But when the super-clichéd lady love interest is introduced, the quality and style of the movie changes. It had been an exciting and gritty crime film...but now a sappy and ridiculous romance. She turns out to be the most spoiled, obnoxious and self-absorbed woman I have EVER seen in a movie...and, inexplicably, you know that faux Pardhu will fall for her. This makes no sense...and having him KILL her would have made much, much more sense. What also doesn't make a lot of sense is seeing a serial killer slowly changing into a swell guy who comes to love his new family!While all this is bad, it gets MUCH worse at the end with a giant shootout with many baddies and faux Pardhu taking them all one and, naturally, winning. This is bad enough but so much of this is done in slow-motion, with crazy ridiculous CGI. It is so over-stylized and dumb that I found myself praying for the movie to end!!!The bottom line is that I know you will a few clichés in Indian movies...they are so often formulaic. But the awfulness of the woman took it from formula to the ridiculous...and the ending was hellishly bad. It's a shame....it really DID start off very well.

poisonivy89 Athadu is a story of a professional assassin. The movie's strong point lies in the acting of the protagonist. The first half an hour of the film is best part of the movie. It becomes little subtle at parts but never loses the basic plot of the story. the direction is simply splendid, i like the direction style. The protagonist, nandu (mahesh babu) shines through and really takes this character and makes him his own . The special effects are well-done and still hold up pretty well. The dialog is very well-written and memorable. There are quite a few quotable lines, as well. The cinematography is good, and even when the plot doesn't move a lot, finally i'm very fond of this movie. i must i have seen this movie about 30 times. Mahesh gives this break through performance which makes this movie more special. This is cult classic and legendary cinema for me, especially mahesh babu how he got into the character so well adapted the body language and every minor detail character required.

angelshalz Athadu is about an assassin (Babu) who changes because he realizes the importance of love and family. He gets framed for killing a competitor in a major political election. Therefore, he switches places with Parthu, a decent and friendly man that unfortunately gets murdered on a train. Switching places with Parthu, Nandu starts challenging his own intentions, and not only starts treating Parthu's father as his own, but also falls in love with Poori, a vivacious young woman. What happens when they find out his true identity? Will Nandu get to the bottom of this case and finally get the best of both worlds? Athadu has pretty good special effects and is cleverly taken. It is not my favorite movie but for all Mahesh Babu fans: this is one of his best.

prasanna mr (prasannamr) The movie is been directed so intelligently,that no one is ready to remake it in any other language.Mahesh is the center of attraction of the movie and he is deserved to be the hero of Telugu film industry. Prakash raj,Tanikella Bharani have done a great job in the movie.I am sure that no Telugu director could give a rare thriller like this. Thrivikram is an excellent dialogue-writer and i'm happy that he has given such a tremendous thrilling film to the Telugu people.Manisharma has composed some superb tunes.All songs are well composed and nicely picturised.Sirivennela has penned some sweet lyrics like "odigunna oralona...kadilinchake kurradaana....katthisaamu tho pramaadam... pattu jaarenaa....."It will be very less if i praise the Sirivennela-Trivikram combination.Another highlight of the film is the sharp photography.EFX effects are good.the title song itself indicates how intelligent and courageous Mahesh is.Comedy is pleasing throughout the film. Totally,Athadu is one of the best movies I have seen.