X Roads

XROADS is a gripping Telugu crime investigative thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish. With a cleverly woven plot, the film follows a suspenseful journey of solving a complex crime, packed with unexpected twists. The performances are solid, especially the leads Bharti, Adi & Ajit and also investigators, and the background score adds intensity. Though it slows slightly in parts, the screenplay recovers with strong reveals. Subtle Comedy in the 2nd half worked well. Music and songs are also very fresh and soothing. A must-watch for thriller lovers who enjoy mind games and edge-of-the-seat storytelling.

I and my friend bought two tickets and walked into the Saturday noon show at PVR Inorbit Mall, not knowing exactly what to expect from a film without big names or commercial hype. What we ended up watching was something refreshingly bold, painfully honest, and quietly powerful.

This is a female-led story with real depth - not just melodrama or emotional outbursts, but a layered narrative that dives into the quiet pain and resilience of a woman navigating a tough industry. The protagonist, caught between her dreams and the realities around her, becomes the face of thousands of women who are unheard and overlooked.

The film deals with real issues - workplace harassment, betrayal by trusted allies, mental health breakdowns, and societal pressures that often silence victims. It's not preachy, but it hits hard. The writing makes you reflect, not just sympathize.

The first half is a slow, intentionally building an atmosphere. It takes its time - establishing characters, their conflicts, and subtle tensions. But once the interval strikes, the pace tightens and the second half grips you with sharp turns and emotional intensity.

With 23 awards in film festivals, X Roads proves that powerful storytelling can outshine glitz and glamour. The recognition it has earned isn't by chance - it's a testament to its craft and courage.

At just under 2 hours, the film respects your time. There are no unnecessary songs, fights, or commercial fillers. Every scene contributes to the journey.

The climax is haunting. Not in the horror sense, but in how deeply it lingers. It leaves you quiet, with thoughts that don't settle easily. It questions, challenges, and refuses to offer spoon-fed answers.

X Roads is not your typical theatre movie, but it's exactly the kind of cinema OTT audiences are hungry for - meaningful, gripping, and real. For those who appreciate content that speaks to them rather than shouting at them, this film is a must-watch.

Let's support films that have something to say.

In a commercial world ruled by loud action, over-the-top romance, and formulaic entertainment, this film dares to take the road less traveled. It doesn't follow the usual templates. Instead, it touches on real human emotions, workplace harassment, mental health, and the internal struggles of creative people - topics often ignored in mainstream Telugu cinema.

In fact, thematically and stylistically, this film feels more aligned with Malayalam cinema - known for its grounded, realistic storytelling and layered characters. One wonders if this film would have been more appreciated there. But the director's choice to bring such a story to Telugu is both bold and commendable.

The cast, mostly fresh faces, have delivered performances that don't feel amateurish. Their sincerity is visible, and the director deserves credit for extracting such depth from them. The narrative may start slow, but it gains momentum post-interval, eventually pulling the viewer into a gripping emotional space.

Whether this kind of film can be commercially successful in the current Telugu market is uncertain. But cinema also needs storytellers who are unafraid to experiment, to provoke thought, and to spark conversations - even if they stand alone.

We need more such attempts. We need more filmmakers who challenge the boundaries. And more importantly, we need audiences who support such efforts. Let's hope this film finds its tribe.

X Roads doesn't spoon-feed entertainment. It challenges the viewer. It speaks of the harsh truths behind the glam - of women fighting for respect, of artists struggling to survive, of a world where talent alone isn't enough.

Director Shashi Preetam dares to tell a tragic, emotionally loaded story in a time where superficial content dominates screens. The performances by fresh faces are surprisingly powerful - raw, real, and unfiltered. The music is subtle, never loud, and the emotions stay with you long after the film ends.

This is not a film for those seeking thrills or commercial clichés. It's for those who respect cinema as a mirror to society. If you like to think, feel, and reflect - X Roads is your kind of movie.

A Gripping, Intelligent Thriller - Not Your Regular Commercial Flick X Roads is a rare kind of film - the kind that respects the audience's intelligence. This isn't your typical masala entertainer. It's a serious, smartly written psychological crime thriller that resonates with real-life situations, especially the struggles of young dreamers and the darker side of ambition in the creative world.

The story builds slowly, could have been quicker in the first half, but keeps you curious, and then hits you with a shockingly unexpected interval. From there, it only gets more intense. The director has done a brilliant job of maintaining suspense till the very end. Not even once could I guess how the film would end - the climax was both unpredictable and deeply emotional.

Snehal Kamath delivers a powerful performance, and the newcomers Anirudh Mantripragada and Ajit Shukla are impressive. The film is layered, realistic, and makes you think. It's like reading a Perry Mason-style novel on screen - full of mystery, emotion, and intelligence.

This film is definitely for a mature, thinking audience. If you enjoy solving thrillers, understanding layered char-acters, and watching cinema that's close to life yet cinematic - this is for you. But if you're expecting loud action or fast-paced comedy, this might not be your cup of tea.

Highly recommended for serious movie lovers. 9/10.