Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi?

Tharun Bhascker's 2018 Telugu film is about four friends travelling to Goa. All are approaching thirty and none has built the life he wanted; one is about to be engaged and the others arrange a last trip for him. An expensive ring lost on the way puts the engagement at risk, and the group decides to enter a short film competition in Goa to raise the money. The film uses the road movie shape while its real subject is how friendship wears away: old grievances, jealousies and the accounting of who has done better than whom surface across the journey. The dialogue is close to the everyday speech of young people in Hyderabad and most of the humour comes from there. It was made independently and drew unexpected attention. Who it's for: viewers who like Telugu independent comedy and road films. Who it's not for: anyone expecting a mature resolution; the characters do not much change.