Cast: Raghu Kunche , Vikas Muppala , Ramachandram Punyamanthula , Ravi Chinnibilli , Teena Sravya Kundoju, Mounika Kalapala, Srikanth Ayangar , Divya , kittayya, Jabardasth Bhasha
Cinematographer: Sai Kumar Dara, Chaitanya Lagudu
Music Director : Raghu Kunche
Editor: Sudheer Yedla
Presents: Raghu Kunche
Producer: Vani Ravikumar
Co Producers: Ravi Chinnibilli , Veerabhadra Rao Thadala , Geetardh Kunche
Written & Directed by : Chaitanya Moturi

Composer turned actor Raghu Kunche steps into the spotlight with Gedelaraju Kakinada Talukaa, a gritty crime drama.directed by Chaitanya Moturi, released on 24 April 2026.

Plot

The story centers on Gedela Raju aka Bhagavan Raju (Raghu Kunche), Kakinada's most feared rowdy who dreams of entering politics. Before he can chase that dream, shocking developments shake the entire town. The narrative unfolds around the aftermath, how his presence, choices, and sudden absence impact people connected to him. From liquor businessman Durga, CI Swati Kumar, and the ambitious Rich with his girlfriend Meera, to Raju's father David, young couple Vijay and Satya, and local players like Shivayya and Dekka, everyone gets pulled into the storm.

Performances

Raghu Kunche makes a compelling case for himself as a lead. He plays Gedela Raju with controlled intensity. His body language is confident, his dialogue delivery has weight, and his eyes do a lot of the talking. Ravi Anand Chinnabilli is the surprise package. He shares almost equal screen space with Raghu Kunche and owns every frame he's in. The chemistry between him and Raghu Kunche in their confrontational scenes is a highlight.

Srikanth Iyengar is in familiar territory as the aspiring politician Durga, and he's flawless. Vikas Muppala looks sharp as Rich and plays the part with easy charm. Mounika Kalapala as Meera is expressive and natural, handling emotional beats with grace. Ramachandram Punyamanthula as Vijay is earnest and relatable. Teena Shravya complements him well, bringing innocence to Satya. Divya Yerramsetty makes a strong impression as CI Swati Kumar. Bhavani Prasad as SI Prudhvi supports her well. Chakradhar as David, Kittayya and Umamaheswari as Satya's parents, and Rohit Akhil as Dekka all fit their parts and add authenticity to Kakinada's milieu.

Highlights

Raghu Kunche
Strong Performances
Rooted Setting
Twist Execution
Natural Visuals

Drawbacks

Slow Pacing
Repetitive Scenes

Analysis

The premise of Gedela Raju is intriguing, a dreaded Kakinada rowdy with political ambitions, and the ripple effects his life and death create across the town. The title itself promises a rooted, local flavor, and the film tries to blend a murder mystery with small-town politics, romance, and family drama. The film uses a non-linear structure, peeling back layers through investigation and voiceovers. It's not just about who did what, but how one man's life echoes through an entire taluka. Director Chaitanya Moturi threads in two love stories and family tracks to humanize the world, keeping the core a murder mystery with social undertones.

The first half of Gedelaraju Kakinada Taluka sets up its world with confidence. Chaitanya Moturi opens with an intriguing hook Raju's ambition, the town's fear, and then the incident that changes everything. The non-linear screenplay initially works well, using a character's voiceover to guide us through the investigation. The interval point is placed smartly, promising that the real twists are ahead. The second half continues the investigation but shifts focus to consequences over thrills. The film is less interested in whodunit and more in "what now." That choice gives it a different flavor from regular murder mysteries. The emotional scenes between David and Raju's legacy, Satya's family moments, and Swati's pursuit of truth land well. The twists involving Ravi Anand's character are staged effectively and add value. While the pace does slow in parts, the film never loses its Kakinada rootedness.

On the technical front, the film is impressive. Sai Kumar Dara and Chaitanya Kumar Lagudu's cinematography captures Kakinada with honesty. The lanes, markets, and riverbanks feel lived-in, not set-like. The visuals are natural and immersive. Raghu Kunche's music is situational and earthy. The two songs blend into the narrative without breaking it, and his background score elevates the tension in key moments. The production values are decent for the scale, and the locations add credibility. Editing by Sudheer Yedla keeps the 2 hour runtime tight for the most part. A few repetitive investigation beats could've been trimmed, but the non-linear structure largely holds attention.

Rating: 3/5

Bottom-line: Gedelaraju Kakinada Taluka A grounded & gutsy drama