Starring : Varun Tej, Aditi Rao Hydari, Lavanya Tripathi
Director : Sankalp Reddy
Producers : Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi, Sai Babu Jagarlamudi
Music Director : Prashanth Vihari
Cinematographer : Gnana Shekar V.S.
Editor: Karthika Srinivas
Release date: 21 December 2018
Country: India
Language: Telugu

Rating: 2.75/5

It's not how much effort has gone into making a film, what is important is how much love the film is receiving from audiences.

If a film is far from the expectations of a viewer, it is an attempt wasted. But, in order to narrate a new-age story, one as to take that risk by keeping apart the commercial path and they need to be commended for such attempts. Mega Prince Varun Tej has made a similar attempt with Krish's 'Kanche' and Sankalp Reddy also impressed the audiences with 'Ghazi'. Now, both of the them are coming together for first space film in Telugu- Antariksham 9000 KMPH. Let's see how they've performed:

Story:
Dev (Varun Tej) is an astronaut who loves his job. He's been on several successful missions. Janaki (Lavanya Tripathi) is Dev's love interest and considers Satellite Meera as his baby. But, one day, a space mission gets failed and Dev loses Janaki in that accident. So, he quits his job and lives a new life far away. But, after 5 years, Indian Space Organisation requires a help from Dev. It's about difficult problem in the space and the rest of story deals with how Dev resolves it.

Analysis:
Just like Ghazi, Antariksham is also an offbeat attempt by Sankalp Reddy. While Ghazi takes us deep inside the water, Antariksham will take us to space. Definitely, this film does not fall under the regular commercial genre. So, the director needs a special appreciation to think a space subject and give a life to it in Tollywood. Also, it takes a lot of effort to narrate such technically-high stories to audiences in a convincing way. 

In first half of the film, the story of Dev and his flashbacks has been presented and in the second half, the story shifts to space. Those who covered Hollywood films like Interstellar and Gravity may not find the the space elements quite intriguing and might sense that gravity scenes were weak. But, given the budget constraints and other limitations for a Telugu cinema, we can tell that the director did a decent job.

What could be highly difficult for a viewer is the technical usage of space-related terminology. The common audience may find it elusive to understand the technical terms. It would be a mess if you do not know about satellite system, spaceship and how they work. That would leave you in confused state. But, science and space lovers will enjoy the film to a great extent. When it comes to emotion in the subject, the viewer may not get connected to it.

Finally, those who love to watch a scientific and new age cinema can watch the film with patience. However, the regular mass masala lovers may find it boring and like a science lesson.

Performances:
The way Varun picking the stories from the start of his career has received good attention from everyone. He knows that it is a different attempt and took risk to tell a space subject. There's nothing negative to spot in his acting. Though Lavanya has got a small role, she is good and Aditi Rao is impressive in prominent role. Satya Dev will be seen in dual role and Avasarala Srinivas's role is okay.

The story developed by Sankalp Reddy is not an easy thing to bring to silver screen. His script was supported by a great technical team. Barring the gravity scenes, their efforts can be seen in several other scenes. Regardless of the fear that whether this film do great at box office or nor, the makers have dared to pump in their money on director's vision. For that, the producers deserve a special appreciation.

Plus Points:
Theme of the film
Second half in space

Minus Points:
Slow narration
Difficult Terminology

Final Verdict: Antariksham- A Boring Science Lesson (or A slow science lesson)