Irumudi

Irumudi
Theatrical release poster
Directed byShiva Nirvana
Written byShiva Nirvana
Produced byNaveen Yerneni
Y. Ravi Shankar
StarringRavi Teja
Priya Bhavani Shankar
Sai Kumar
Baby Nakshathra
CinematographyVishnu Sarma
Edited byPrawin Pudi
Music byG. V. Prakash Kumar
Production
company
Release date
  • 21 August 2026 (2026-08-21)
Running time
145 minutes[1][2]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Budget₹40 crores[3]
Box office₹135 crores[4]

Irumudi is a 2026 Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Shiva Nirvana. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and presented by T-Series, the film stars Ravi Teja, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Sai Kumar, and Baby Nakshathra. The film centres on the relationship between a father and his daughter and incorporates the protagonist's participation in the Ayyappa Deeksha pilgrimage.[5]

The film was released on 21 August 2026 and opened to positive reviews.[6][7][8]

Plot

Trinadh Rama Kasu is a loving family man and auto driver struggling with severe alcoholism. To help him reform, his young daughter Manikanta "Mani" begs him to take the 41-day Sabarimala spiritual vow (Ayyappa Deeksha). Trinadh agrees to change his life, but his path to redemption collides with a dangerous local crisis.

Cast

  • Ravi Teja as Trinath Rama Kasu
  • Priya Bhavani Shankar as Kaveri, Trinadh's wife
  • Sai Kumar as Guruswamy Goparaju
  • Baby Nakshathra as Manikanta "Mani"/"Manimma", Trinadh's daughter
  • Ajay Ghosh as Yerraji
  • Jabardasth Komaram as Nagulu, Yerraji's Son
  • Ramesh Indira as MLA Bujji Raju
  • Swasika as Dhanalakshmi
  • Laxman Meesala as Babu
  • Sam as Gayathri, Guruswamy's daughter
  • Rajkumar Kasireddy

Production

Development

After the release of Mass Jathara (2025), Ravi Teja was reported to join hands with Shiva Nirvana for the former's 77th film, after completing his 76th film with Kishore Tirumala.[9] Further reported as a crime thriller, the film was announced to be produced by Mythri Movie Makers.[10] The project marking the first collaboration between actor Ravi Teja and director Shiva Nirvana was tentatively referred to as #RT77.[11] On 26 January 2026, coinciding with Ravi Teja's birthday, the official title Irumudi was announced along with the first-look poster, showcasing the lead actor dressed in traditional Ayyappa mala attire.[12] The title refers to the sacred offering bag carried by devotees during the pilgrimage to Lord Ayyappa. Shiva Nirvana penned the story, screenplay, and dialogues for the film.[13]

Before choosing Teja as the lead, Nirvana approached Naga Chaitanya, Gopichand, and Tamil actor Suriya.[14]

Casting and filming

Priya Bhavani Shankar was cast as the female lead, portraying Ravi Teja's wife, while child actress Baby Nakshathra was selected to play his daughter, a central figure around whom the plot revolves.[15] Principal photography commenced in early 2026 in Hyderabad. By June 2026, the makers confirmed that over fifty percent of the filming had been completed.[16]

Music

The film score and soundtrack are composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, marking his first collaboration with director Shiva Nirvana and second with Ravi Teja. The first single, a devotional anthem titled "Irumudi Kattu", was released in early mid-2026.[12]

Release

The film was released theatrically on 21 August 2026 in Telugu, alongside a Tamil dubbed version titled Irumudikattu.[15]

Reception

A critic from Sakshi Post rated the film 3.5/5 and wrote, "Irumudi is a sincere, emotional and socially relevant film that works largely because of its performances and strong core story. Raviteja delivers one of his most mature performances in recent years [...] Despite a few predictable portions in the second half, Irumudi remains an engaging watch with plenty of emotional highs."[17] Suresh Kavirayani of Cinema Express rated the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Despite a few logical loopholes and some predictable portions in the second half, Irumudi is a gripping family drama that blends a socially relevant subject, Ayyappa Deeksha and family emotions effectively. Ravi Teja’s excellent performance, Shiva Nirvana’s focused narration and dialogues, along with the cinematography, music and supporting performances, make it a worthwhile watch."[18]

Sashidhar Adivi of Filmfare rated the film 3/5 stars and wrote, "Irumudi is a solid, intense drama elevated by Ravi Teja’s restrained performance and a convincing father-daughter bond. But predictable villains and uneven emotional beats prevent it from becoming as powerful or shattering as it could have been."[19] BVS Prakash of Deccan Chronicle wrote, "Shiva Nirvana redeems himself with this emotionally charged dark drama after films such as Kushi. He demonstrates that he can handle a darker, Tamil-style dramatic narrative while avoiding the usual clichés of forced comedy and unnecessary songs. Despite its shortcomings, Irumudi works in parts, primarily because of Ravi Teja's powerful performance, the emotional father-daughter relationship, and a gripping climax."[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Irumudi". Central Board of Film Certification. 13 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "Irumudi - 18". British Board of Film Classification. 13 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  3. ↑ "Irumudi Box Office: Ravi Teja's film is unstoppable on Sunday, best in actor's career". Cinema Express. 24 August 2026. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  4. ↑ బిళ్ళ, వీరేష్ (29 August 2026). "'ఇరుముడి'తో బ్లాక్‌బస్టర్.. శివ నిర్వాణ కోసం పోటీ పడుతోన్న స్టార్ హీరోలు!". Samayam Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Irumudi Kattu - Official Tamil Glimpse". The Times of India. Retrieved 2026-07-08.
  6. ↑ "Ravi Teja-Shiva Nirvana's Irumudi locks its release date". The New Indian Express. 2026-06-09. Retrieved 2026-07-08.
  7. ↑ "Ravi Teja, Shiva Nirvana's Irumudi first single Irumudi Kattu to release on this date". Cinema Express. 2026-06-27. Retrieved 2026-07-08.
  8. ↑ "'Irumudi' release date: Ravi Teja's upcoming film to hit the big screens on THIS date; set to clash with Nani starrer". The Times of India. 2026-06-07. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-07-08.
  9. ↑ Harsh, B. H. (2025-10-16). "Ravi Teja to work with Shiva Nirvana in a crime-thriller: Reports". Cinema Express. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  10. ↑ "Ravi Teja locks a new age thriller: Title, heroine, director and shoot update is here". OTTPlay. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  11. ↑ IANS (26 January 2026). "Ravi Teja–Shiva Nirvana film titled 'Irumudi', first look unveiled". Telangana Today. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  12. 1 2 Satya (26 January 2026). "Irumudi FL: Ravi Teja Swamy!". Gulte. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "Ravi Teja steps into new territory with Irumudi, a father-daughter story. Watch". The Indian Express. 3 June 2026. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  14. ↑ Shek, Basha (29 August 2026). "Irumudi: ఒకరు కాదు ముగ్గురు.. రవితేజ 'ఇరుముడి' సినిమాను మిస్ చేసుకున్న స్టార్ హీరోలు ఎవరో తెలుసా?". TV9 Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  15. 1 2 "'Irumudi' release date: Ravi Teja's upcoming film to hit the big screens on THIS date". The Times of India. 7 June 2026. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Irumudi Glimpse: Ravi Teja-Shiva Nirvana's film promises an action-packed emotional drama". Cinema Express. 3 June 2026. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "Irumudi Review and Rating". Sakshi Post. 9 August 2026.
  18. ↑ Kavirayani, Suresh (21 August 2026). "Irumudi Movie Review: Ravi Teja delivers a top-notch performance in this intense family drama". Cinema Express.
  19. ↑ "Irumudi Review: Emotionally Charged and Gritty, but Not Shattering Enough | Filmfare.com". Filmfare. 21 August 2026.
  20. ↑ Prakash, B. V. S. (21 August 2026). "Irumudi Review: Ravi Teja Shines in This Dark Thriller, Yet It Has Shortcomings". Deccan Chronicle.
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