Punchline
Epic – First Semester is a youthful love drama with a few relatable moments, but its repetitive writing and sluggish pace prevent it from making a strong impact.
Storyline
Epic – First Semester follows Aditya (Anand Deverakonda), an innocent youngster who dreams of becoming a film director, while his parents want him to pursue higher education abroad. He eventually lands in London, where he meets Kadali (Vaishnavi Chaitanya), an independent and strong-minded girl from Vizag. Despite their contrasting personalities, the two develop an unexpected bond. Their relationship goes through fun moments, conflicts, ego clashes, emotional struggles and adjustments, forming the core of the story.
Positives
Anand Deverakonda is well-suited to the role of Aditya and delivers a convincing performance with his expressions and comic timing. Vaishnavi Chaitanya also does a decent job as Kadali, bringing the required attitude and conviction to her character.
The chemistry and relationship dynamics between the lead pair work in parts. A few conversations feel natural and relatable, while Kalyan Shankar’s comedy manages to generate some laughs. Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music and background score are among the film’s biggest strengths.
Negatives
The writing is the film’s biggest drawback. The simple storyline needed stronger characterisation and engaging conflicts, but the narrative repeatedly circles around similar emotions and conversations without enough progression.
Both halves feel stretched, with the repetitive relationship drama testing the audience’s patience. Though the pre-climax and climax offer some emotional moments, they arrive quite late. Anand’s character is also written with an excessive level of innocence, which may not work for everyone.
The supporting characters, particularly those played by Sivaji and Vasuki, deserved better development. The connection with 90s – A Middle Class Biopic does not add significant value to the story either. The intimate scenes may also limit the film’s appeal among certain sections of family audiences.
Technicalities
Writer-director Aditya Hasan has a simple story idea but struggles to translate it into an engaging narrative. The repetitive writing and uneven pacing affect the overall impact.
Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music and background score elevate several scenes. Azeem Mohammad’s cinematography is satisfying, while the production values are decent. However, Navin Nooli’s editing could have been sharper, as trimming several conversations and scenes would have made the film more engaging.
Rating
2.25/5
Final Verdict
Epic – First Semester is a passable youthful love drama that works in parts, mainly due to the performances of Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, a few relatable moments and Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music. However, repetitive writing, slow pacing and limited character development hold it back. The film may appeal to audiences who enjoy relationship-driven dramas, but keep your expectations in check.
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