Euphoria Movie Review (2026): After a three-year gap, director Gunasekhar has returned with “Euphoria“. It is a Telugu social drama that moves away from its grand visual spectacles and takes us to teenage crime, parenting, and accountability. Euphoria is inspired by real incidents such as the Jubilee Hills pub case, and the film aims to spark conversation around youth culture, privilege, and consequences. The film’s intent is very powerful, and the first half is engaging, but the film largely suffers from poor execution in the latter half, which affects the overall impact.
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Euphoria Movie Rating and Cast & Crew Details
Baapofmovies.com Rating: 2.5/5
- Release Date: February 6, 2026
- Story, Screenplay & Direction: Gunasekhar
- Cast: Bhumika Chawla, Sara Arjun, Nassar, Rohith, Vignesh Gavireddy, Likhita Yalamanchali, Addala Prudhviraj, Kalpa Latha, Sai Srinika Reddy, and others
- Cinematographer: Praveen K Pothan
- Editor: Prawin Pudi
Euphoria Movie Story: From Aspirations to Trauma
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The film takes us to Chaitra (Sara Arjun), who is an ambitious student preparing for the IAS. Her life soon takes a devastating turn after she attends a party at a popular pub. Here, she is assaulted by a group of minors from influential families.
The group is led by Vikas (Vignesh Gavireddy). Vikas’ mother, Vindhya (Bhumika Chawla), heads a reputed educational institution. However, unlike the stereotypical “protective parent” narrative, Vindhya chooses justice over family loyalty, and she goes on to support legal action against her son.
Post-verdict, the narrative takes the viewers to the themes of drug abuse, psychological trauma, and parental responsibility. The narrative is very promising, but it is the poor narrative that holds the film back.
Cast Performances: The Film’s Strongest Pillar
Sara Arjun has done a good job as Chaitra. Her portrayal of trauma is very real, and it feels deeply authentic. She completely aced the role of emotionally vulnerable moments that capture the psychological aftermath of assault.
Bhumika Chawla is also a highlight, as she brings depth and maturity to Vindhya. She aced the role of a conflicted mother who is balancing guilt and moral courage. Gautam Vasudev Menon fits naturally as Police Commissioner Jayadev Nair. But his character occasionally leans into cinematic clichés.
Newcomer Vignesh Gavireddy has also done a good job, but he suffers from a lack of depth.
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What Works: Message, Performances, and First Half
- Euphoria is a bold film that addresses sensitive topics like teenage crime, sexual assault, drug abuse, and parenting.
- The first half is tightly structured, and it will keep the viewers emotionally engaged and narratively focused.
- The decision to portray a mother supporting justice over her son is something unique, and it adds moral complexity and realism.
What Doesn’t Work: Second Half and Narrative Drift
- Euphoria loses screenplay cohesion after the interval.
- There is a drug-related subplot that feels detached from the core story.
- Film sometimes feels very repetitive due to emotional and alcohol-driven sequences.
- There are some “dark” moments that appear designed for shock and not the storytelling depth.
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Direction, Music, and Technical Aspects
Gunasekhar has done a good job to present a realistic visual tone instead of stylized grandeur. The Punjagutta accident sequence is executed with precision, and it shows the proof of cinematography.
However, screenplay transitions feel uneven as it continues to shift from courtroom drama to social thriller abruptly. Kala Bhairava’s music is decent, but it is not memorable, and there are a few occasional lip-sync inconsistencies that affect immersion.
Where to Watch Euphoria
Euphoria is currently running in theatres across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, including Hyderabad, Vizag, Vijayawada, and other major cities. However, it has been stated that Euphoria won’t have an OTT release any time soon.
Final Verdict
Euphoria is driven by intent, and the film is anchored by powerful performances from Sara Arjun and Bhumika Chawla. The first half works very well to deliver a gripping and emotionally resonant narrative. However, the second half is very poor, as it struggles with pacing and thematic cohesion.
Euphoria is worth watching for its message, performances, and relevance. However, it doesn’t fully achieve the emotional consistency that is usually expected from a Gunasekhar film.
Watch Euphoria Trailer
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