Recently, there has been notable discourse within the Telugu-speaking audience on various social media platforms regarding their assessment of two Malayalam films, ‘Premalu’ and ‘Aavesham,’ which garnered substantial popularity in Kerala and achieved box office revenues exceeding ₹100 crores.
Following the availability of these films on Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, numerous Telugu netizens took to social media to express reservations regarding the acclaim garnered by ‘Premalu,’ citing concerns about its reliance on simplistic comedy and conventional narrative tropes. Similarly, ‘Aavesham’ has failed to generate significant enthusiasm among Telugu audiences, with criticisms likening its storyline to familiar comedic sequences found in Telugu cinema, such as those in ‘Oosaravelli’ and similar productions. Many voices in the Telugu community have expressed the view that these films are overrated.
Critiques from Telugu viewers extend beyond narrative shortcomings to encompass deficiencies in screenplay construction and a perceived lack of ingenuity in storytelling. Furthermore, while performances in the films have been deemed satisfactory, they have not been universally lauded as exceptional.
Despite their commercial triumphs in Kerala and substantial box office earnings, the reception of ‘Premalu’ and ‘Aavesham’ among Telugu audiences on OTT platforms has been characterized by a mixture of opinions. Nonetheless, it is acknowledged that both films have achieved blockbuster status in Kerala and maintain a dedicated fan base within the region.
