Baby

Sai Rajesh Neelam's 2023 Telugu film follows a couple who have been together since school. Vaishnavi goes to university while Anand starts working; as the two lives move at different speeds the relationship comes apart. The film does not tie the separation to a single event. New surroundings, difference of class and the question of who gave up what pile on top of one another; the narrative gives each of the three characters their own view. The film was an unexpectedly large commercial success in Telugu cinema and caused argument, with criticism of how the woman's decisions are shown. It runs long and the music is an important part of the narrative. Who it's for: those who like Telugu youth drama. Who it's not for: viewers expecting a narrative that does not judge its female character; the film largely builds its view from the man's side.