After the blockbuster success of Bheeshma, actor Nithiin and director Venky Kudumula have teamed up once again for Robinhood. With Mythri Movie Makers backing the project and a long gap since Nithiin’s last box-office hit, expectations were high. Additionally, this marks the second on-screen pairing of Nithiin and Sreeleela after Extra Ordinary Man. But does Robinhood deliver on the promise of entertainment and redemption? Let’s dive into the details.
Introduction
Ram (Nithiin), raised in an orphanage, begins robbing the rich to support struggling orphanages across the country. After years of carrying out heists, he decides to change his ways and joins a security agency run by John Snow (Rajendra Prasad). Soon, he’s tasked with protecting Neera Vasudev (Sreeleela), the daughter of an Australian pharma tycoon visiting India. When Neera and her grandfather are endangered by a ruthless drug lord, Saamy (Devdatta Nage), Ram must rise to the occasion. Why does Ram quit his Robinhood lifestyle? What connects him to Neera? And can he save the village and its people from danger? The film answers these questions while attempting to balance comedy, emotion, and action.
Performances
Nithiin as Ram and Robinhood appears disinterested in many portions of the film, although he redeems himself with a solid effort in the pre-climax and climax. Sreeleela, despite her screen presence, struggles to evoke laughs, although she shines in a brief dance bit with Nithiin in the second half.
Rajendra Prasad and Vennela Kishore manage to generate a few chuckles, but even their comic flair is undercut by weak character writing. Devdatta Nage, Shine Tom Chacko, Brahmaji, Aadukalam Naren, Subhalekha Sudhakar, Mime Gopi, and Shiju AR—all notable actors—are unfortunately wasted in underdeveloped roles. Only Subhalekha Sudhakar leaves a lasting impression with his grounded performance.
Australian cricketer David Warner makes a brief cameo in the climax. While it’s a surprise, the scene is so poorly written and awkwardly executed that it feels forced and unnecessary. Ketika Sharma features in a special song, exuding confidence, but her dance moves come across as crass and distasteful.
Technical Aspects
Music by G.V. Prakash Kumar is one of the film’s biggest letdowns. The soundtrack is forgettable, and the background score is shockingly repetitive, with just a single BGM cue used throughout. Sai Sriram’s cinematography is the saving grace—his visuals are crisp and beautifully showcase the scenic locales, particularly in the agency areas. Editing by Koti could have been tighter; at least 10–15 minutes of runtime could’ve been trimmed for better pacing.
The production values are undeniably high, with Mythri Movie Makers ensuring that the film looks rich and polished. Unfortunately, Venky Kudumula’s writing and direction fall short. His decision to move away from his romantic-comedy strength into an action-comedy space seems to have backfired, resulting in a film that lacks clarity and conviction.
Positives
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Emotionally engaging pre-climax
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Strong production values
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Visual appeal thanks to cinematography
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A handful of comic moments
Negatives
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Weak and lazy writing
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Poor songs and repetitive BGM
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Flat and ineffective screenplay
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Objectionable choreography in the special song
Analysis
From the very beginning, Robinhood struggles to establish emotional engagement. The childhood flashback of Ram feels dull, and the subsequent robbery sequences in the first half are far too rushed and silly. While there are occasional laughs from Rajendra Prasad and Vennela Kishore’s antics, the overall writing lacks purpose and punch.
The second half, intended to raise the emotional and action stakes, instead relies on recycled tropes and uninspired plot devices. The attempt to include a ‘Jailer’-style villain setup with Saamy ends up looking comical rather than menacing. David Warner’s cameo is bafflingly forced and fails to add any real value. Meanwhile, Ketika Sharma’s item song, designed for mass appeal, ends up doing the opposite due to its crass execution.
Despite its promising pre-climax twist and a few emotional beats, the film lacks coherence. The humor is inconsistent, the characters are underwritten, and the central conflict never feels truly urgent. It’s evident that the script lacked polish and that the team banked too heavily on surface-level spectacle instead of substance.
Verdict
Robinhood attempts to blend action, comedy, and emotion but delivers a half-hearted mix that struggles to engage. While a few laughs and visually rich moments provide brief relief, the film ultimately suffers from weak writing, lackluster music, and a forgettable narrative. It may work as a time-pass entertainer for undemanding viewers, but for most, it’ll feel like a missed opportunity.
Final Verdict: Comedy Clicks, Story Slips
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