Faasil’s Telugu debut stumbles on its own magic.
Fahadh Faasil steps into Telugu cinema as a solo lead in Don’t Trouble the Trouble, a fantasy comedy that lands with more promise than payoff. The film, released October 2, 2026, marks his first full-fledged outing in the language — a move that’s been hyped since SS Rajamouli’s banner backed it.
But the magic doesn’t quite stick. The story follows Soori, an orphan conman played by Faasil, who’s given two days to deliver ₹25 lakh or face consequences. Desperation leads him to Divya (Ssara Palekar), a runaway girl from wealth who mistakes him for a magician. Their road trip, complete with a beagle and escalating absurdity.
Is meant to be a whimsical ride. It isn’t. Not really. The film’s biggest misstep? It gives away its twist early.
Trailers already laid out the emotional core, leaving little room for surprise. What should’ve been a playful journey through illusion and identity becomes a slow burn of repetition. Faasil, known for his range, delivers earnestly, his timing is sharp, his delivery in Telugu solid. Ssara Palekar, in her debut, brings natural charm and surprising fire.
But even their chemistry can’t save the script. Mahesh Manjrekar appears briefly, lending gravitas where needed. Saurabh Sachdeva shows up in a role that defies typecasting. But only briefly.
The rest of the cast fades into background noise. The second half sags under a limp police subplot and gags that lose steam fast. Editing by Praveen Antony drags scenes that should’ve been cut. Kaala Bhairava’s score keeps the mood light when it matters.
Brad Francis’ cinematography captures urban sprawl without much flair. Director Shashank Yeleti and writer Hamza Ali aim for fairy-tale whimsy, but the execution feels flat. The film earns a 2.75/5 from 123telugu.com, not a verdict, but a warning. Kids might enjoy the magic.
Adults? They’ll remember the moments that worked, not the ones that didn’t. And the question lingers: what happens when a star’s effort isn’t enough to carry a script that never finds its rhythm?
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