The Family Star
2024
Comedy Family
Introduction
The Family Star is a 2024 Indian Telugu-language romantic action drama film directed by Parasuram, known for his previous work on Geetha Govindam (2018). The film stars Vijay Deverakonda as Govardhan, a family man caught in a web of familial and romantic conflicts, and Mrunal Thakur as Indu, a CEO with her own motivations. Produced by Dil Raju and Sirish under Sri Venkateswara Creations, the movie explores themes of love, family values, and redemption. Despite much anticipation due to Vijay’s involvement, the film was panned for its weak plot, predictable screenplay, and underwhelming performances. The film grossed ₹19.78–23.20 crore, significantly below its ₹50 crore budget, making it a box office bomb.
Cast and Characters
- Vijay Deverakonda as Govardhan, a family man who gets involved in conflicts with his brother and lover.
- Mrunal Thakur as Indu, a CEO who writes a thesis on Govardhan’s family, leading to tension.
- Jagapathi Babu as Keshu Dhanraj, Indu’s father and head of Indu Infra Company.
- Divyansha Kaushik as Govardhan’s colleague (cameo appearance).
- Vennela Kishore as Samarth, Indu’s assistant.
- Ravi Prakash and Raja Chembolu as Govardhan’s elder brothers.
- Rohini Hattangadi as Govardhan’s grandmother.
- VTV Ganesh, Prabhas Sreenu, Ravi Babu, and others in supporting roles.
Production Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Parasuram |
| Writers | Parasuram |
| Producers | Dil Raju, Sirish |
| Cinematography | P. S. Vinod |
| Editor | Marthand K. Venkatesh |
| Music Composer | Gopi Sundar |
| Production Company | Sri Venkateswara Creations |
| Filming Locations | Hyderabad, New York |
| Filming Period | July 2023 – December 2023 |
Plot Summary
The story alternates between the present and past, centered around Govardhan and Indu’s complex relationship. Govardhan, a selfless family man, falls for Indu, but their romance turns sour when he discovers she is writing a thesis about his family. Their relationship undergoes multiple twists, including a revelation about Govardhan’s brother’s resentment and Indu’s hidden intentions. The film culminates with Govardhan fighting off goons at a wedding and rekindling his romance with Indu.
Music
The soundtrack was composed by Gopi Sundar and released under T-Series. The album includes five tracks, with popular songs such as “Nandanandana” and “Madhuramu Kadha,” sung by Sid Sriram and Shreya Ghoshal, respectively.
Release and Reception
The Family Star was initially slated for a Sankranthi release but was postponed and hit theaters on April 5, 2024. Despite the hype, the film was a critical and commercial failure. It received generally negative reviews, with critics pointing out its predictable screenplay, poor direction, and lackluster performances, especially in the second half. The digital streaming rights were acquired by Amazon Prime Video, and the film was available for streaming on April 26, 2024.
Critical Reception
- News18: Praised the chemistry between the lead pair but rated it 3.5/5, calling the plot weak.
- Times of India: Rated the film 2.5/5, criticizing the lack of emotional depth.
- Rediff: 2/5, noting the wasted potential due to poor scripting.
- Cinema Express: 1.5/5, calling the film a missed opportunity with shallow writing.
- The Hindu: Mentioned that the film failed to live up to its potential despite interesting ideas.
Trailer
- Teaser Release: October 2023 – Gave a glimpse of Vijay Deverakonda’s character as a family man, hinting at romantic and action-packed sequences.
- Official Trailer: March 2024 – Showcased the central conflict between Govardhan and Indu, with an emphasis on the family dynamic, but failed to create the needed excitement.