Roja Daily Serial – E296 – 8th April

Telugu cinema’s newcomer Ashish Reddy, nephew of producer Dil Raju, recently debuted in his second film, “Love Me.” Directed by Arun Bhimavarapu, the movie attempts a fresh approach by blending horror and romance genres.

“Love Me” deviates from the typical horror tropes by presenting a love story between the protagonist, Arjun (played by Reddy), and a ghost. The filmmakers implemented a unique portrayal of the ghost character, keeping the audience engaged.

Despite garnering mixed reviews on opening day, “Love Me” managed to secure decent collections due to Dil Raju’s established brand name. This comes as a welcome change amidst a string of recent Telugu releases that failed to perform at the box office.

The movie’s performance witnessed a significant improvement over the weekend, with encouraging returns on Saturday and Sunday. The production team remains optimistic about maintaining this momentum throughout the weekdays. They believe that the initial mixed reviews have softened, paving the way for a more positive audience reception.

Ashish Reddy’s portrayal of Arjun has been met with praise. Critics acknowledge his growth as an actor compared to his debut film. They commend his emotional delivery, particularly in scenes where he interacts with the invisible ghost. Reddy reportedly navigates the complexities of on-screen romance with a non-corporeal character with considerable ease.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) season concluded, movie viewership is expected to rise, potentially benefiting “Love Me” during the weekdays. While some reviewers have pointed out a degree of narrative confusion, the production team expresses confidence that the audience has connected with the director’s vision.

The film’s ultimate success remains to be seen. However, historical precedent suggests that movies with initial mixed reviews can still achieve commercial viability. Movie pundits predict a similar trajectory for “Love Me.”