‘Lenin’ Movie Review: Akhil Akkineni Delivers a Career-Best Turn, but the Script Fails To Match His Energy, Say Critics
The rural action drama Lenin, starring Akhil Akkineni and Bhagyashri Borse, debuted to a mixed response as critics heavily praised the lead actor's gritty physical transformation and a sharp pre-interval twist but noted pacing issues and a formulaic script.
Lenin, the highly anticipated rural action drama starring Akhil Akkineni, arrived in theatres globally today to a mixed reception from critics and audiences alike. Directed by Murali Kishore Abburu and co-starring Bhagyashri Borse, the film marks Akkineni's return to the big screen after a three-year hiatus following his 2023 release, Agent. While the film has drawn significant praise for Akkineni’s gritty physical transformation and a compelling pre-interval twist, it faces criticism regarding its pacing, overstuffed subplots, and predictable rural tropes. Akhil Akkineni’s Wife Zainab Ravdjee Celebrates Her First Birthday With Akkineni Family; Nagarjuna, Amala and Naga Chaitanya Join the Celebrations (Watch Videos).
‘Lenin’ Movie Review
The narrative of Lenin unfolds in the Rayalaseema village of Sriramapuram, weaving a tale of loyalty, betrayal, and revenge that draws heavy thematic inspiration from the Mahabharata. Reviewers note that the film's first half adopts a slow-burn strategy, taking considerable time to establish the rural setting and a dense network of characters.
Critics feel this portion of the film becomes overly stretched, bogged down by an excess of subplots, standard love tracks, and frequent musical numbers that disrupt the pacing. However, a powerful voice-over by Jr. NTR helps anchor the opening act, and the narrative finds its momentum during an unpredictable pre-interval sequence that shifts the film into a higher gear. The second half is generally considered more engaging, driven by sharp plot twists and intense action sequences.
India Today: "Yet Lenin occasionally reminds you of the film it could have been if executed well. The writing, performance and staging come together seamlessly, proving that ambition was never the film's problem, execution was.Akhil deserves credit for taking on the most demanding role of his career and delivering one of his better performances. Bhagyashri Borse complements him with ease, making the pair one of the film's biggest positives. Murali Kishor Abburu also deserves appreciation for attempting a story that is more ambitious than the average commercial entertainer. "
GreatAndhra: "Overall, “Lenin” is a calculated commercial entertainer aimed at giving Akhil Akkineni a much-needed comeback. It borrows liberally from successful films in the same genre but still manages to deliver a few effective twists and a reasonably engaging second half. While not everything works, it is undoubtedly a better outing than Akhil’s previous films. However, the film could have been far more impactful with stronger emotional writing and better-developed supporting characters."
The Indian Express: "Lenin is a rooted, intense rural drama that uses its epic inspiration with more conviction than most films attempt. It won’t work for audiences looking for a lighter, escapist watch, but for those willing to sit with a slow-building story about friendship, loyalty, and love turning into conflict, it largely delivers , anchored by a career-best performance from Akhil Akkineni. Watch it in theatres if intense, emotionally driven drama is your kind of cinema."
Times of India: "Visually, the film captures the rural landscape well, and the cinematography lends scale to the village setting and festival sequences. The background score effectively complements the suspense and emotional beats, even if the soundtrack feels overcrowded with songs. Despite an uneven first half and a tendency to overindulge in twists, the film rewards patient viewers with an engaging second half, strong performances and a satisfying emotional payoff. It is not without its flaws, but its performances and well-executed twists make it a worthwhile watch."
More about ‘Lenin’
Produced jointly by Akkineni Nagarjuna under Manam Enterprises and Suryadevara Naga Vamsi under Sithara Entertainments, Lenin represents a high-stakes comeback vehicle for Akhil Akkineni. Originally scheduled for a late June release, the producers intentionally delayed the theatrical debut to July 10 to ensure post-production and VFX work met their standards. Avantika Sundar's Wedding: Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Trisha Krishnan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff Bless Khushbu Sundar’s Daughter (Watch Video).
The project features a notable supporting cast, including Easwari Rao as the village elder Jayyamma, alongside Sivaji and Brahmaji in pivotal roles. Leading lady Bhagyashri Borse, fresh off her recent Telugu appearances, is noted for her strong screen chemistry with Akkineni.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2026 04:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
