Arjun Chakravarthy: An Impactful Sports Drama

Set between 1980 and 1996, the story follows Arjun Chakravarthy (Vijaya Rama Raju), an orphan raised by former Kabaddi player Rangayya (Dayanand Reddy). Inspired by his guardian, Arjun dedicates his life to Kabaddi, rises to play for the national team, and dreams of opening a coaching center. The rest of the story explores whether his dream becomes reality and if he makes a return to the Kabaddi court.

From its teaser and trailer, the film promised to be a sincere sports drama — and it delivers. Inspired by the life of a real Kabaddi player from Nalgonda, director Vikrant Rudra narrates the story in a gripping way that keeps you hooked. The first half covers Arjun’s childhood, his love story, and his rise through district and state-level matches, while the second half turns more emotional and intense.

The Kabaddi matches look authentic, and the emotional drama lands well. On the downside, the love story feels formulaic, and a few scenes could have been trimmed.

Performance-wise, Vijaya Rama Raju gives his all. His physical transformation is impressive and adds weight to his role. Sija Rose looks good on screen, though her character isn’t fleshed out much. Dayanand Reddy and Ajay fit their parts well.

Technically, the film scores high. The cinematography convincingly recreates the 80s and 90s vibe. Vignesh Baskaran’s music — both songs and background score — works really well. Producer Srini Gubbala clearly didn’t cut corners; for a debut production, backing such a large-scale sports drama is commendable.

Bottom line: Arjun Chakravarthy is a well-made and engaging sports drama, especially for those who love the genre.