Pekamedalu

Pekamedalu (“House of Cards”) is a 2024 Telugu comedy drama directed by Neelagiri Mamilla and produced by Rakesh Varre through Crazy Ants Productions. Vinoth Kishan and Anoosha Krishna play a Hyderabad couple, an idle dreamer and the wife who keeps the family afloat, with music by Smaran. It was released in cinemas on 19 July 2024 and was among the year’s better-reviewed small films.

What the story is about

Laxman is an engineering graduate in a modest Hyderabad neighbourhood who has no interest in a regular job. He dreams of quick money from real-estate deals, plays online rummy constantly and builds castles in the air. His wife Varalaxmi supports the family by making and selling snacks and working in other people’s homes, and dreams of opening her own curry point, for which she needs ₹50,000. Laxman borrows the money from a friend and spends it on himself, and then gets entangled with Swetha, a married NRI woman, in the name of a property deal. The film follows what his schemes cost his family, and what Varalaxmi does about it.

Cast and crew

• Vinoth Kishan as Laxman
• Anoosha Krishna as Varalaxmi “Varalu”, Laxman’s wife
• Rethika Srinivas as Swetha
• Muralidhar Goud as Varalaxmi’s relative

Director: Neelagiri Mamilla. Producer: Rakesh Varre (Crazy Ants Productions). Music and score: Smaran.

Reviews

Reviews were strongly positive. BH Harsh of The New Indian Express gave it four out of five, calling it “one of the most captivating and impactful films of the year so far” and praising the direction, screenplay and the two leads. Bhavana Sharma of Deccan Chronicle noted that it “relies on character-driven storytelling and genuine emotions”. The Times of India said the director “did a commendable job portraying and narrating a story on real-life struggles”, helped by content-oriented actors and good music. Suhas Sistu of The Hans India called it “a new tale of dreams and struggles”, while noting that its narrative recalls earlier films such as Ammo! Okato Tareekhu (2000) and Sarada Saradaga (2006).

Where to watch Pekamedalu

We do not have a confirmed streaming listing for Pekamedalu on file. If we verify one with a platform, it will appear on this page.

Sources: the Wikipedia article on Pekamedalu and the reviews it cites, linked above; our own production records.