Chennai Love Story
| Chennai Love Story | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ravi Namburii |
| Written by | Sai Rajesh |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Viswas Daniel |
| Edited by | Santhosh Naidu |
| Music by | Mani Sharma |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 179 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Budget | ₹15 crore[1] |
| Box office | ₹60 crore[1] |
Chennai Love Story is a 2026 Indian Telugu-language supernatural romantic drama film directed by Ravi Namburii and written and co-produced by Sai Rajesh. The film stars Kiran Abbavaram and Sri Gouri Priya, with music composed by Mani Sharma.[2][3][4][5]
The film was theatrically released on 24 July 2026 and was commercially successful at the box office grossing over ₹60 crore worldwide.[6][1]
Plot
In a railway station, Ajay breaks up with Nivedita (Nivi) on their wedding day after a three-year relationship, stating that he fell in love with another girl. Nivi spirals into depression and goes to Chennai to stay with her friends and to work. She starts drinking.
Steven Shankar, an aspiring filmmaker, enters Chennai for opportunities in filmmaking. He goes on a narration spree to various people but fails in the process. After friction at first, he gradually makes Nivi happy with his innocent behavior and makes her come out of depression and her drinking. In the process, Nivi falls in love with Steven. On the other hand, Steven successfully narrates a story to a producer. Nivi and Steven propose to marry. On the day of the marriage in a register office, Steven suffers a fatal accident which leads to his death. Nivi spirals into depression again and goes to buy alcohol again.
She goes to the graveyard and scolds Steven's grave for leaving her. After her blood touches Steven's grave, he reappears as his soul which is visible only to Nivi. She is a happy person with Steven as her companion.
Out of the blue, Ajay comes back to Nivi's life. Nivi agrees to marry Ajay in front of her mother who is in a hospital. In the end, Steven convinces Nivi to spend the rest of her life with Ajay as he states that she should be happy even in his absence. Steven's soul leaves the world while Nivi and Ajay reconcile.
Cast
- Kiran Abbavaram as Steven Shankar
- Sri Gouri Priya as Nivedita "Nivi"
- Thrigun as Ajay, Nivi's ex-boyfriend
- Devi Prasad as Nivi's father
- Karuna Kumar
- Naveen Neni
- Siri Hanumanthu
- P. Vasu as himself
- Deepa Shankar as Chennai CMTC Bus Passenger
Production
The film was officially announced in June 2025 with the release of its first glimpse.[3] It is directed by Ravi Namburii from a story by Sai Rajesh and is produced by SKN and Sai Rajesh under the banners Amrutha Productions and Mass Movie Makers.[2][4][7][8]
Principal photography began in 2025, with a major filming schedule completed in December 2025.[9]
Music
The film's music is composed by Mani Sharma.[2] During the film's audio launch, Sharma described the project as an important milestone in his career and credited Sai Rajesh for encouraging him to compose for the film.[10]
Release
Chennai Love Story was theatrically released on 24 July 2026.[2][11][12][13] The film received UA16+ certification from CBFC.[14]
Distribution
Mythri Movie Makers is responsible for the film's distribution in the Nizam region.[15]
Reception
The Hollywood Reporter India was critical, calling it an "exhausting three-hour weep-fest".[16]
References
- 1 2 3 Billa, Veeresh (21 August 2026). "ఓటీటీలోకి వచ్చేసిన 'చెన్నై లవ్ స్టోరీ'.. డిజిటల్ స్క్రీన్పై కిరణ్ అబ్బవరం బ్లాక్బస్టర్ లవ్ డ్రామా". Samayam Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Kiran Abbavaram-starrer Chennai Love Story gets July release date". Cinema Express. 21 June 2026.
- 1 2 "'Chennai Love Story': Kiran Abbavaram and Sri Gouri Priya's Telugu film announced". The Hollywood Reporter India. 4 June 2025.
- 1 2 "SKN: Chennai Love Story is an intense film with a lot of emotions". The New Indian Express. 7 July 2026.
- ↑ Kavirayani, Suresh (7 July 2026). "SKN: Chennai Love Story is an intense film with a lot of emotions". Cinema Express. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ "Telugu film Chennai Love Story unfazed by Jana Nayagan, set for box office clash". India Today. 15 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ Kumar (19 July 2026). "Watch: Aspiring Director's Industry Struggles". Gulte. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ "Kiran Abbavaram-starrer Chennai Love Story gets July release date". The New Indian Express. 24 June 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ "Kiran Abbavaram shares production update on Chennai Love Story; see pictures". The New Indian Express. 9 December 2025.
- ↑ "Mani Sharma recalls comeback moment with 'Chennai Love Story': 'After one tune, I realised music is still within me'". The Times of India. 2 April 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ "Chennai Love Story confirmed to have paid premieres". 123Telugu. 21 July 2026.
- ↑ India, Team THR (20 July 2026). "What To Watch In Theaters This Week: 'Jana Nayagan,' 'The India Story,' 'Chennai Love Story' and More". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ Kumar (20 July 2026). "All Eyes On Chennai Love Story". Gulte. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ A, Rajababu (21 July 2026). "Chennai Love Story First Review: చెన్నై లవ్ స్టోరీ ఫస్ట్ రివ్యూ". Filmibeat Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ Mass Movie Makers [@MassMovieMakers] (22 July 2026). "Love is in the air, and the big screen is ready! ❤️" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 August 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ↑ Parasuraman, Prathyush (24 July 2026). "'Chennai Love Story' Movie Review: Attempts and Fails To Transcend Its Conservative, Weepy DNA". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 26 August 2026.