Show Time (2025): A Telugu Crime Thriller That Struggled to Find Its Audience
Show Time emerges as a Telugu crime thriller that attempts to explore the psychological aftermath of an accidental murder within a middle-class household. Released theatrically on July 4, 2025, this film starring Naveen Chandra represents another entry in the actor's ongoing exploration of suspense-driven narratives12. Despite its intriguing premise of depicting how a single night can transform the lives of an ordinary family, the film received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences alike, with an IMDb rating of 5.4/10 based on limited user feedback1. The movie's central narrative revolves around the concept that "they were just watching TV… until a single night turned their world upside down," as marketed by its streaming platform3, yet it struggled to maintain audience engagement throughout its 108-minute runtime2.
Plot and Narrative Structure
Core Storyline
The film centers on Surya (Naveen Chandra), a fitness trainer, and his wife Shanti (Kamakshi Bhaskarla), who lead a simple middle-class life in a Hyderabad apartment in the Manikonda area4. The story begins with a family gathering where relatives and friends are enjoying an evening of antakshari (a popular Indian word game) on their apartment terrace56. This peaceful domestic scene is disrupted when CI Lakshmikant (Raja Ravindra), a local police officer, confronts the family over the noise, leading to a heated argument that sets the tone for the escalating conflict4.
The narrative takes a dramatic turn the following morning when Shanti accidentally becomes involved in a death4. According to the film's premise, a chain-snatcher attempts to steal their daughter's chain, and during Surya's efforts to restrain the perpetrator, the incident results in the intruder's accidental death78. This unexpected tragedy transforms their quiet household into the center of a deadly mystery, forcing the couple to navigate the complex aftermath of an unintentional crime9.
Thematic Elements
Show Time operates as an official remake of the Tamil film Noodles3, adapting its core concept to a Telugu setting. The film explores themes of guilt, forgiveness, and hidden truths through its rural murder mystery framework3. Director Madhan Dakshinamurthy constructed the entire narrative to unfold over a single day and night, creating a real-time thriller experience54. The story examines how ordinary people react when faced with extraordinary circumstances, particularly focusing on the moral and legal dilemmas that arise from accidental harm10.
Cast and Performances
Lead Performances
Naveen Chandra delivers what reviewers described as a committed performance in a role specifically tailored to his acting strengths54. Critics noted that while he wasn't required to venture into unexplored territory compared to his previous films, he approached the character with sincerity and conviction5. His portrayal of Surya showcases a family man caught between protecting his loved ones and confronting the legal consequences of an unintended crime10. The performance demonstrates good emotional range and expressions, helping to carry the film's dramatic weight5.
Kamakshi Bhaskarla as Shanti received praise for her natural acting style, maintaining consistency with her previous work54. Her character serves as the emotional anchor of the narrative, particularly as the person directly involved in the accidental death10. Critics acknowledged that she delivered justice to her role through her performance, contributing to the film's more successful dramatic moments5.
Supporting Cast Excellence
V.K. Naresh as lawyer Varadarajulu provides both comedic relief and narrative momentum to the story54. His entry into the plot brings a significant twist while incorporating humorous elements that help balance the film's tense atmosphere54. However, some reviewers noted that his performance occasionally became excessive, potentially irritating viewers in certain scenes5.
Raja Ravindra portrays the antagonistic police officer with the intensity required for his role54. His character represents the film's primary source of external pressure, sporting a serious demeanor that effectively conveys the threat he poses to the protagonists5. The performance successfully establishes him as a credible obstacle in the couple's attempts to resolve their predicament10.
Production and Technical Aspects
Direction and Writing
Director Madhan Dakshinamurthy served as both writer and director for the project, attempting to present the story in an engaging manner54. His approach involved concentrating the first half within approximately 90 minutes while dedicating more attention to the second half's development5. The director chose to confine most of the action to a single location, creating an intimate, chamber-piece atmosphere that both constrains and focuses the narrative5.
The screenplay demonstrates both strengths and weaknesses in its execution. While the concept of a story unfolding overnight provides a solid framework, critics noted that the pacing issues and extended setup sequences tested viewer patience109. The writing successfully incorporates comedy into what could have been a purely suspenseful thriller, though the balance between humor and tension doesn't always achieve the desired effect54.
Technical Crew
The film was produced by Kishore Garikipati under the SkyLine Movies banner211. Sekhar Chandra composed the background music and songs for the film21112. T. Vinod Raja handled cinematography, while Sarath Kumar served as editor211. Supriya Bettepati worked as production designer, and Srinivas Gavireddy provided dialogues2118.
The technical aspects received mixed reviews, with critics noting that the background score by Sekhar Chandra was subpar and failed to commit effectively to the film's intended tonality9. However, some reviewers praised certain cinematic choices and visual elements that helped distinguish the film from more conventional thrillers9.
Critical Reception and Box Office Performance
Critical Response
Show Time received predominantly negative reviews from critics and audiences. The film holds a 5.4/10 rating on IMDb based on 21 user ratings1. Critics consistently pointed to pacing issues as a major weakness, with many noting that the film took too long to engage viewers with its central premise110.
OTTPlay gave the film a critical review, describing it as having "limited thrills" and noting that "unwanted humor dilutes the plot"10. The Times of India awarded it a 3.0/5 rating, describing it as "an intense crime thriller weighed down" by its execution issues13. 123Telugu provided a 2.75/5 rating, acknowledging decent treatment within its limited runtime while criticizing pacing problems4.
User reviews on various platforms consistently mentioned disappointment with the film's execution. One Reddit user described struggling to get through the film, expressing bafflement at why a producer would fund such a project6. The user noted that only the initial antakshari sequence provided enjoyment due to nostalgia, while the rest proved disappointing6.
Box Office Performance
The film performed poorly at the box office, collecting only ₹0.15 crores worldwide during its theatrical run1415. The opening day collection was reported at ₹0.06 crores, indicating extremely limited audience interest15. According to Sacnilk box office tracking, the film earned ₹0.13 crores in Telugu net collections and ₹0.15 crores in India gross14.
This poor commercial performance placed Show Time among the year's biggest disappointments in Telugu cinema. The film's budget details were not disclosed, but the minimal collections suggest significant financial losses for the producers15. The theatrical run was brief, leading to a quick transition to digital platforms16.
OTT Release and Digital Performance
Show Time transitioned to digital streaming platforms just 21 days after its theatrical release16. The film began streaming on Sun NXT starting July 25, 2025217163. The streaming platform marketed the film with the tagline "When a quiet home becomes the center of a deadly mystery"3.
The rapid OTT release reflects the film's poor theatrical performance and the need to recoup investments through digital revenue streams16. Amazon Prime Video was also mentioned as acquiring digital rights alongside Sun NXT16. The film's availability on streaming platforms allowed it to reach a broader audience, though user feedback remained consistently mixed17.
Critics noted that the film might find a more receptive audience on OTT platforms, where viewers can watch at their own pace and potentially appreciate its slower burn approach16. However, early streaming reviews continued to echo theatrical criticisms regarding pacing and narrative engagement6.
Genre Analysis and Comparison
Show Time attempts to blend crime thriller elements with family drama and occasional comedy54. The film's approach to the accidental murder trope draws comparisons to other films in the genre that explore how ordinary people respond to extraordinary circumstances10. Critics noted that while the concept was promising, the execution failed to maintain consistent tension throughout its runtime109.
The film's treatment of its central premise—an accidental death leading to escalating consequences—follows established thriller conventions while attempting to add distinctive Telugu cultural elements3. The domestic setting and family dynamics provide a relatable foundation, though critics argued that the emotional stakes never felt sufficiently urgent109.
Compared to Naveen Chandra's other recent thriller appearances, Show Time was considered less engaging despite having a potentially stronger central concept6. The actor's recent filmography includes several suspense thrillers, making this latest effort feel somewhat repetitive rather than exploratory4.
Technical Evaluation
Cinematography and Visual Style
T. Vinod Raja's cinematography confines most action to interior locations, creating an intimate but potentially claustrophobic viewing experience8. The visual approach supports the film's chamber-piece aspirations while maintaining production cost efficiency5. Some critics appreciated specific cinematic choices that helped differentiate the film from more conventional thrillers9.
Music and Sound Design
Sekhar Chandra's musical contribution received mixed reviews912. Critics noted that the background score failed to effectively support the film's tonal shifts between comedy and suspense9. The music composer, known for previous works including Karthikeya (2014) and 118 (2019), has an established track record in Telugu cinema1218. However, his work on Show Time was considered one of his less successful efforts9.
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Conclusion
Show Time represents a missed opportunity in Telugu cinema's exploration of psychological thrillers. While the film's central premise of examining how an accidental death transforms ordinary lives offers compelling dramatic potential, the execution fails to maintain audience engagement throughout its runtime109. Director Madhan Dakshinamurthy's attempt to balance comedy with suspense results in tonal inconsistencies that undermine both elements54.
The film's poor commercial performance, collecting only ₹0.15 crores worldwide, reflects broader audience dissatisfaction with its pacing and narrative development1415. Despite committed performances from Naveen Chandra and Kamakshi Bhaskarla, the supporting elements—including direction, music, and screenplay—fail to create a cohesive viewing experience510.
The rapid transition to OTT platforms within three weeks suggests recognition of its theatrical limitations16. While streaming availability might help the film find a more forgiving audience, early digital reviews continue to echo theatrical criticisms6. Show Time ultimately serves as a reminder that compelling concepts require equally strong execution to succeed, particularly in the competitive landscape of contemporary Telugu cinema.
For audiences seeking engaging crime thrillers, Show Time offers limited rewards despite its promising setup. The film might appeal to dedicated fans of Naveen Chandra or those interested in low-budget Telugu cinema experiments, but general audiences would likely find more satisfying options elsewhere in the genre
