Epic – First Semester Movie Review: An Intimate, Honest Celebration of Life’s Unspoken Growing Pains
-
Cast: Anand Deverakonda, Vaishnavi Chaitanya, Sivaji, Vasuki Anand, Kalyan Shankar, Gavireddy Srinivas
-
Writer & Director: Aditya Hasan (#90s – A Middle Class Biopic fame)
-
Producers: Suryadevara Naga Vamsi, Sai Soujanya
-
Banners: Sithara Entertainments, Fortune Four Cinemas, Srikara Studios
-
Music Director: Hesham Abdul Wahab
-
Cinematography: Azeem Mohammad
-
Editor: Naveen Nooli
-
Theatrical Release Date: September 11, 2026
-
Reviewer Rating: 3 / 5
-
Verdict: A Heartfelt, Emotional Slice-of-Life Entertainer
With #90s – A Middle-Class Biopic, writer-director Aditya Hasan proved that he has a rare, instinctive pulse on everyday Telugu households. Rather than chasing routine formulaic commercial cinema for his silver screen debut, Aditya chose to trust that same grounded sensibility, expanding that beloved universe into a coming-of-age feature titled Epic – First Semester.
Reuniting the celebrated pair of Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya alongside the powerhouse backing of Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, the film arrived in theatres today with genuine audience curiosity. Does this personal chapter strike an emotional chord on the big screen? It certainly leaves you with a warm, reflective smile.
The Story: Dreams Deferred, Campus Encounters & Guarded Hearts
The journey catches up with the spirited, observant boy from the #90s world, Madham Aditya, now stepping out into early adulthood. Fresh out of graduation, Aditya (Anand Deverakonda) holds a burning passion to enter the film industry as a director. However, bound by the gentle unspoken wishes of his middle-class parents, he packs his bags for the UK to complete a master's degree.
From the moment his feet touch foreign soil, his life takes a transformative turn. On his very first day on campus, he meets Kadali (Vaishnavi Chaitanya)—an assertive, self-assured young woman whose confidence immediately disarms him. An impromptu day spent exploring the city sparks instant comfort, leading the two homesick students to share an apartment.
What starts as practical companionship soon deepens into a tender romance. Yet, their bond is anchored in personal boundaries: before stepping into physical intimacy, Kadali sets down clear terms and emotional checkpoints rooted in her traumatic past.
What experiences shaped Kadali’s cautious world? How do these unspoken emotional boundaries test Aditya’s patience and understanding? And how do two well-meaning youngsters navigate the tender transition between love and personal growth? These questions form the emotional spine of Epic.
Performances: Honest Understated Chemistry & Timeless Parental Warmth
-
Anand & Vaishnavi’s Sincere Turn: Having previously created a box-office splash with Baby, Anand and Vaishnavi take a completely different route here, opting for delicate, everyday subtlety over high-decibel melodrama. Anand brings an endearing innocence to Aditya's internal conflicts, effortlessly embodying the hesitation of a small-town boy adjusting to a wider world. Vaishnavi balances Kadali’s outward strength with quiet, dignified vulnerability.
-
Sivaji & Vasuki Steal the Scene: Reprising their parental roles from #90s, Sivaji and Vasuki Anand bring pure cinematic gold whenever they grace the screen. Sivaji’s impeccable comedic timing, paired with an effortless emotional gravity, reminds us of the quiet sacrifices middle-class parents make every day. His scenes provide pure heart.
-
Lighthearted Support: Gavireddy Srinivas brings breezy, situational laughs that liven up campus life, while Kalyan Shankar adds a burst of energetic, casual banter to the narrative.
A Grounded Narrative: Moments, Memories & Reality
Early in the film, a frame hanging in their shared room captures the four pillars of life: ‘Moments, Memories, Pain & Happiness’. This serves as the emotional compass of the story. Aditya Hasan carefully constructs the gentle ‘moments’ and joyful ‘memories’ in a breezy first half, before gradually steering the characters into the inevitable ‘pain’ of adult accountability in the latter hour.
-
Courageous Realism: While the second half embraces an introspective, slow-burn rhythm that mirrors the unhurried nature of real-life relationship conflicts, it never loses sight of its emotional truth.
-
Slice-of-Life Appeal: Rather than manufacturing artificial villains or melodramatic fights, the conflict arises entirely from genuine human insecurities, career pressures, and differences in perspective. For viewers who cherish grounded cinema in the vein of early coming-of-age classics, this unvarnished approach feels refreshing.
Technical Virtuosity: Setting the Mood
-
Hesham Abdul Wahab’s Score: Hesham provides an acoustic, comforting background score that blends gently with the European setting, delivering a couple of melodic tracks that linger nicely.
-
Visual Atmosphere: Cinematographer Azeem Mohammad captures the visual contrast between the warm, nostalgic tones of home and the breezy, cold-toned streets of the UK with crisp framing.
-
Naveen Nooli’s Editing: The narrative moves at an easy, natural pace, letting conversations and character dynamics breathe without rushing.
The Verdict
Epic – First Semester is an earnest, sensitive, and emotionally grounded coming-of-age drama. Driven by the mature writing of Aditya Hasan, soulful performances by Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, and heartwarming parental turns by Sivaji and Vasuki, the film offers an authentic mirror to the hopes, fears, and loves of today’s youth.
If you appreciate heartfelt, character-driven storytelling that trades loud gimmicks for pure emotion, this first chapter is a rewarding journey worth taking in theatres!
-
Bottom Line: A warm, relatable, and beautifully written slice-of-life romance that speaks straight to the heart.
-
Final Rating: 3 / 5
