Watch Ekō Movie (2025)
Movie Name: Echo
Release Date: January 02, 2026
Director: Dinjit Ayyathan
Producer: MRK Jayaram
Music Director: Mujeeb Majeed
Editor: Suraj E S
Over the past few years, Allari Naresh has been trying to explore different types of roles away from his comedy roots. With 12A Railway Colony, he tried something more different, a murder mystery. The film hit theatres on November 21, 2025, starring Sai and Kamakshi Bhaskarla in the lead roles. BAPPAM
The film comes from producer Srinivasa Chitturi and tries to blend suspense with supernatural touches. Bheems Cicerolio has composed the music, while Kushender Ramesh Reddy will look after the visuals.
Plot
We follow Karthik, a young man who does odd jobs for Tillu, a local politician. He falls in love with his neighbor Aradhana, who dreams of becoming a big name in badminton. She shares a small house with her mother and Karthik doesn’t notice her interest in him.
Things take a dark turn during the election. Tillu has to hide a sensitive matter and Karthik thinks Aradhana’s vacant house is the right place. When he goes inside, he is shocked to find that both Aradhana and her mother are dead. What seems strange is that he is sure that he saw her alive moments before entering. Is it really her, or something else?
This discovery sets off an investigation. Karthik teams up with police officer Rana Pratap, played by Sai Kumar.
How are the actors’ tastes?
Allari Naresh tries his best as Karthik, even trying his hand at a Telangana slang. While his sincerity is evident, the character feels incomplete and doesn’t create much emotional connection.
Kamakshi becomes the centre of everything in Bhaskar’s final part, yet her character is disappointingly thin. The script revolves around her but gives her very little time to develop the character. She does her best with what she has written, but the material doesn’t allow her to make a real impact.
Sai Kumar comes with the kind of presence you would expect from a veteran, but his character goes nowhere. Oddly, the story sidelines a trained officer and Karthik, who has no investigative background, takes on the responsibility of solving the case. The rest of the cast, including Viva Harsha and Getup Srinu, appear in routine and forgettable roles.
What critics and viewers said
Reviews from film critics ranged from disappointing to dismissive. One major Telugu site gave it 2 out of 5, stating that despite being a thriller, it failed to deliver real suspense. Some reviews were harsh, pointing out the predictable writing and cheap production quality.
The audience response was not so good. The film opened with around ₹75 lakh and by the second day, the theatre occupancy was only 15 percent. People who walked into the theatres expecting something exciting were left frustrated for most of the first hour. While some gave credit to Naresh for trying something different, many were disappointed with the execution. The accent issue came up repeatedly in the viewer comments, with many finding it distracting rather than authentic.
My Final Take
Rating: 4.5/5
Ekō represents ambitious filmmaking that trusts its audience. The stunning visuals, haunting music, and layered performances create something memorable. Sandeep Pradeep and Biana Momin deliver career-defining work. The complex structure and slow burn won’t suit everyone, but I found myself thinking about it days later—always a sign of meaningful cinema.
