Some stories appear simple to begin with but gradually unravel layers of emotional turmoil. What could have been settled over a conversation ends up becoming a full-blown feud. Brittle egos and the lack of communication are probably among the most common aspects of dysfunctional families.

Director Uday Chauhan, who has also written the Telugu film Pallaburusu (toothbrush), set in a fictional Telangana village, explores a universal story and hopes viewers will reflect on it long after they have had a few hearty laughs or turned teary-eyed in the cinema hall. 

Pallaburusu begins with Shambo (Sudhakar Reddy) being advised by a dentist to start using a toothbrush, along with the prescribed medicines. He does not have the means to purchase them. He turns to his son, Tirupati (Muralidhar Goud), who works as a railway gateman. The initial portions establish how things have soured between the father and son over the decades. The son, weighed down by financial commitments, reluctantly buys what his father requires, only to lose it. Chaos ensues.

Pallaburusu (Telugu)

Director: Uday Chauhan

Cast: Sudhakar Reddy, Muralidhar Goud, Prajwal Yadma, Gomathy Reddy

Runtime: 140 minutes

Storyline: When a toothbrush becomes a bone of contention, there’s more than family feud at play

Before the pallaburusu becomes a bone of contention and things escalate, Uday Chauhan paints a charming yet true-to-reality portrait of the village.

Not all elders are content with the simple joys of daily life. They might spend their time at a tea stall or lounge under a tree, but their economic situation is vastly different from that of Shambo. Someone is gifted an Alexa by an NRI family member, while another is addicted to online content on his tablet.

Life goes on in the village amid family tussles, and everyone casually eavesdrops.

The aesthetic is decidedly rooted, be it the homes, the wedding decor, or the quirky posters. Cinematographer Vinod K Bangari trains his lenses on what’s essential for the drama. In a scene where he zooms out from Shambo’s tormented face to show the vast expanse of the fields and the tree, it conveys the plight of a lonely elder. Production designer Kshitij Jeevan Randhir and costume designer Princi Vaidh also remain nearly invisible by letting the rooted atmosphere shine through. Pawan Ch’s music livens up the proceedings and also knows when to tone it down.

Smaller details work in the background, adding a touch of fun. For instance, there’s the board of Ravi’s (Prajwal Yadma) salon that simply translates the Telangana dialect into English as ‘Raviga cutting shap’ (the spelling is intentional). The sub plot of the love story between Ravi and Shweta (Gomathy Reddy) is also subtly used to make the young couple think about the nature of familial bonding in the long term. It’s a telling moment when Ravi, an orphan who has yearned for love, wonders about the futility of family feuds.

The story takes a more emotional and dramatic turn in the last hour. Given their lack of resources, one might wonder why Shambo and Tirupati cannot put their differences aside. Underneath their moves, though, is the long-festering hurt.

Sudhakar Reddy and Muralidhar Goud sure-footedly anchor the narrative with their performances. After Balagam and Muthayya, this is another author-backed role for Sudhakar. In a scene, Sudhakar’s eyes convey his heartbreak and resignation when his desperate move — born out of wanting to be loved, one that should have ideally shocked the village — becomes social media content. 

Muralidhar Goud is perfectly cast in the role of a man consumed by personal commitments to sit back and introspect on why things have spiralled out of control with his father. This is another fine performance from him.

Not all of the fun banter between the elders lands. The film can also leave us with questions. Couldn’t there have been a better way to drive home a point without a near-extreme measure? But then, sometimes situations demand a drastic move to make people stop in their tracks and pay attention. However, on the whole, Pallaburusu stands out as a warm tale of human relationships that can make its audience think. And that is a win.

Pallaburusu is currently running in theatres

Published - August 14, 2026 06:54 pm IST