Table of Contents
RX 100, a 2018 Telugu-language film directed by Ajay Bhupathi, became a huge hit for its intense emotions, gripping storyline, and raw portrayal of love and betrayal. The movie falls under the genres of romance, drama, and action, and stars Karthikeya Gummakonda and Payal Rajput in the lead roles. Released on July 6, 2018, RX 100 struck a chord with the audience, especially youth, due to its bold narrative and relatable characters. The film explores the themes of love, passion, and revenge, making it a compelling watch. The gritty, realistic portrayal of relationships and the intense performances from the cast make RX 100 a standout film in the Telugu film industry. The movie’s raw emotions and bold storyline set the tone for a review that celebrates its unique approach to storytelling while pointing out areas where it could have been more refined.
Plot Summary
The story of RX 100 revolves around the intense love affair between the protagonist, Shiva (Karthikeya Gummakonda), and a beautiful, mysterious woman, Indu (Payal Rajput). Shiva, a hot-headed young man, falls in love with Indu, and their passionate relationship forms the crux of the film. However, things take a dramatic turn when Indu’s hidden secrets are revealed, leading to heartbreak and betrayal. Shiva’s journey after this betrayal takes him into a path of revenge, anger, and emotional turmoil.
The movie explores the complexities of love and how one’s emotions can be manipulated. The intense conflict between the characters and the internal struggle of Shiva makes the story emotionally charged. RX 100 is not your typical love story; it’s a raw portrayal of unfiltered emotions, heartbreak, and the consequences of toxic relationships. The film keeps the audience hooked through its unpredictable plot twists and complex characters, making it a gripping watch.
What’s Good?
There are several elements of RX 100 that make it a compelling film, and it has garnered praise for both its technical aspects and performances.
Powerful Performances:
One of the biggest strengths of RX 100 is the stellar performances delivered by the lead actors. Karthikeya Gummakonda’s portrayal of Shiva is intense, raw, and believable. He plays a young man caught between love and anger, and his emotional journey throughout the film is gripping. From his romantic expressions to his violent outbursts, Karthikeya truly immerses himself into the character, making Shiva’s transformation from love-struck to vengeful both heartbreaking and convincing.
Payal Rajput, who plays Indu, also delivers a strong performance. She brings a sense of mystery and complexity to her character, making Indu more than just a romantic interest. Her chemistry with Karthikeya is palpable, and she succeeds in showing the emotional turmoil that comes with her choices. The portrayal of the complicated relationship dynamics between Shiva and Indu is one of the key highlights of the film.
Direction and Screenplay:
Ajay Bhupathi’s direction is another major strength of the film. He takes a simple love story and infuses it with a raw, gritty realism that is rarely seen in commercial cinema. The way he handles the emotions, the confrontations, and the revenge-driven narrative is impressive. The screenplay is well-written, keeping the audience hooked with its unpredictability. It creates an emotional rollercoaster that makes the viewer feel the highs and lows of the characters’ journey.
Bhupathi also deserves credit for his ability to delve into the darker side of love and relationships, presenting it without sugarcoating the pain and heartache. The dialogues are sharp, intense, and bring depth to the emotions being portrayed. The film keeps you invested in the characters and their emotional journeys, making it easy for the audience to empathize with their pain and struggles.
Music and Cinematography:
The music of RX 100, composed by Chaitan Bharadwaj, is another standout aspect. The songs are beautifully crafted, with tracks like “Kodthe” and “Pillaa Raa” becoming instant hits. The background score complements the intense moments of the film, adding to the emotional weight of the scenes. The music helps elevate the film’s tone, capturing the raw emotions and providing the perfect backdrop for the dramatic twists.
Cinematographer Raam Reddy captures the raw emotions of the characters with his camera work. The film is shot in natural light, giving it a more authentic and grounded look. The visuals, combined with the intense storytelling, create a sense of realism that resonates with the audience. The use of close-ups during emotional scenes helps convey the intensity of the characters’ feelings, and the cinematography perfectly complements the overall mood of the film.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
RX 100 stands out in several ways, particularly due to its gripping emotional journey. The performances, especially by Karthikeya and Payal, are the strongest assets of the film. The story’s raw portrayal of love, passion, and revenge gives the film a unique edge over typical romantic dramas. The direction and screenplay keep the audience engaged, and the unpredictable twists add to the film’s appeal. The music and cinematography help in making the emotional scenes more impactful, allowing the audience to truly immerse themselves in the narrative.
Weaknesses:
However, RX 100 is not without its flaws. The film’s pacing is one of the major drawbacks. While the emotional drama is intense, some scenes feel dragged out, especially during the emotional confrontations. The film could have benefited from a tighter screenplay, as certain portions feel repetitive, taking away from the impact of the story. Additionally, the portrayal of intense emotions might seem exaggerated to some viewers, with the film’s violence and passion being over-the-top in certain moments.
Some of the secondary characters are underdeveloped, and while the focus is on the lead couple, a stronger exploration of other characters would have added more depth to the story. The film’s heavy reliance on intense emotions and revenge can feel overwhelming, and at times, it seems to focus too much on shock value rather than a well-rounded narrative.
Target Audience
RX 100 is primarily aimed at young adults and those who enjoy intense love stories with dramatic twists. The movie will appeal to fans of intense emotional dramas and action thrillers. People who appreciate raw portrayals of relationships, revenge, and betrayal will enjoy the film. However, due to its violent nature and mature themes, it may not be suitable for younger audiences. It is ideal for viewers who are looking for a film that offers more than the typical love story, with a deep dive into complex emotions and high-stakes drama.
Box Office Details
The production budget of RX 100 was approximately ₹5 crore, making it a low-budget film compared to other commercial ventures in the industry. Despite this, the movie’s success at the box office exceeded expectations, proving that content-driven films could perform well.
Worldwide Box Office Collection:
- Total Worldwide Collection: ₹50 crore
Day-wise Earnings:
- Day 1 (India): ₹2 crore
- Day 1 (Overseas): ₹1 crore
- Day 2 (India): ₹2.5 crore
- Day 2 (Overseas): ₹1.2 crore
- Day 3 (India): ₹3 crore
- Day 3 (Overseas): ₹1.5 crore
- Day 4 (India): ₹4 crore
- Day 4 (Overseas): ₹1.5 crore
- Day 5 (India): ₹3.5 crore
- Day 5 (Overseas): ₹1 crore
RX 100 became a sleeper hit, performing exceptionally well at the box office for a low-budget film. Its unique storytelling and intense emotional moments attracted a large audience, and it eventually became one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of the year.
Recommendation
RX 100 is a bold, intense, and emotionally charged film that takes its audience on a rollercoaster ride of love, betrayal, and revenge. The performances, direction, and music make it a standout film, but it’s not without its flaws. Despite its exaggerated emotional moments and occasional pacing issues, RX 100 is a must-watch for those who enjoy gripping, raw dramas. Highly recommended for viewers who seek intense, heartfelt stories with strong performances and emotional depth.
Genres:
Drama, Action, Romance
Rating:
5.4/10
Cast:
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Kartikeya Gummakonda | Shiva |
| Payal Rajput | Indhu |
| Rao Ramesh | Vishwanath, Indhu’s Father |
| Ramki | Shiva’s Guardian |
| Laxman Meesala | Laxman |
| Mahesh | |
| Dayanand Reddy | Police Inspector |
How is Our Review?
Let us know if you liked our review of RX 100 through the comment box, so that we can keep creating such content for you.
