Sugriva Movie Review: A desperate father’s saga that stumbles at every turn

Sugriva follows Balu (Balu Charan), a middle-class man leading a modest, predictable life until a sudden crisis turns everything upside down. When his young daughter is diagnosed with a serious medical condition that requires urgent and expensive treatment, Balu is forced into a race against time to arrange a large sum of money.As doors begin to close and options run out, desperation pushes him towards choices he would have never considered otherwise. What starts as an emotional struggle for survival gradually leads him into morally complex territory, where right and wrong blur under pressure. The story traces Balu’s journey through fear, urgency and difficult decisions, as he navigates a world that tests both his limits and his values.There’s an inherently powerful premise at the heart of Sugriva — a father willing to go to any extent to save his child. It’s the kind of emotional core that can anchor a gripping drama. Director Narthu Chiranjeevi clearly understands this, but the film struggles to translate that potential into a consistently engaging narrative.The initial portions set up the conflict effectively. Balu’s situation feels relatable, and the urgency of his daughter’s condition establishes immediate emotional stakes. The film taps into a universal fear, the helplessness of not being able to protect one’s family and for a while, it holds attention through this raw vulnerability.Balu Charan delivers a sincere performance, bringing visible effort and emotional weight to the role. He carries the film through its more intense moments, particularly in scenes that demand vulnerability and desperation. However, the writing around him doesn’t always support the performance. The character’s journey, which should feel increasingly tense and layered, often circles back to familiar beats without adding new depth. As the narrative progresses, the film begins to lose momentum. Scenes stretch longer than necessary, and the storytelling starts to feel repetitive. The same emotional conflict is revisited multiple times without significant progression, which dulls the impact. What should have been a steadily escalating drama instead feels uneven, with the pacing fluctuating between urgency and stagnation.The supporting cast, including Kajal Tiwari, Karan Vijay and Suman Shetty, has limited scope to make a strong impression, with their roles largely serving the central plot. The emotional arcs, particularly those tied to the family dynamic, don’t always land as effectively as intended.Technically, the film attempts to elevate its drama through background score and staging. The music tries to amplify the emotional beats, but the inconsistency in writing makes it difficult for these moments to fully resonate. A tighter screenplay and sharper editing could have significantly improved the film’s grip.Sugriva is driven by a strong emotional idea, but its execution doesn’t quite do justice to it. While there are moments that work and performances that show promise, the film ultimately feels inconsistent, struggling to maintain engagement across its runtime.—Sanjana Pulugurtha