Operation Padma
| Operation Padma | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Karthikeya V |
| Produced by |
|
| Cinematography | Kalyan Sami Pavanmani |
| Edited by | JK Frames |
| Music by | Subhash Anand |
Production company | Krishav Cinemas |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Operation Padma is a 2026 Indian Telugu-language political crime thriller film directed by Karthikeya V.[1] The film is produced by Ghattamaneni Aravind Babu, Raghava Mandalapu, and Rambabu Mandalapu.[2][3] It features an ensemble cast including Naresh Medi, Rajitha Sandy, Ranadheer Beesu, KT Mallikarjuna, and Raghupathi Reddy.[1] The movie was released in theaters on 6 February 2026.[4]
The film is edited by JK Frames.[4] Music is composed by Subhash Anand.[2] Cinematography is Kalyan Sami and Pavanmani.[2]
Plot
[edit]The story revolves around Nandi Kishore, a former Home Minister who turns into a whistleblower after uncovering a massive corruption scandal within the state's Civil Supplies department.[5] By exposing this scam, he gains immense popularity among the public but simultaneously becomes a primary target for a powerful political mafia.[3] To eliminate him, his enemies hire Kuldeep, a stylish and ruthless professional assassin known for never failing his missions.[4] In response to this threat, a specialized private detective unit is formed under the code name "Operation Padma," which is spearheaded by Avantika.[2] The narrative unfolds as a tense psychological mind game and a cat-and-mouse chase between the cold-blooded assassin and the detective team as they attempt to protect the whistleblower and uncover the mastermind behind the conspiracy.[3]
Cast
[edit]Production
[edit]The film was made with a high budget, and critics noted that the heavy financial investment is clearly visible on screen.[2] Cinematography was handled by Kalyan Sami and Pavanmani, who successfully created a moody and tense visual palette suitable for a surveillance thriller.[4] The film's gripping background score was composed by Subhash Anand, while the editing was done by JK Frames.[2] Akhil Nakirekanti choreographed the stunts, deliberately focusing on raw and realistic action sequences rather than over-the-top spectacle.[4]
Reception
[edit]Upon its release, Operation Padma got mixed to moderately positive reviews, with critic ratings ranging from 2 to 2.75 out of 5 stars.
The reviewer from 10TV gave the film 2 out of 5 stars and stated that while the scenes between the killer and the Operation Padma team are like moves and counter-moves, the film's presentation should have been written with more clarity.[1]
The reviewer from HMTV gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, and stated that the almost 90-minute first half is thrilling and the cat-and-mouse game between the killer and the detective team is the film's main strength."[2]
The reviewer from Zee news Telugu gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, and stated that the overall, the movie feels like a mind game to the audience." The reviewer commended the female cast by stating, "All women characters look highly energetic.[3]
The reviewer from The Hans India gave the film 2.75 out of 5 stars, and stated that Operation Padma works not just as a thriller, but as a layered investigative drama. He highlighted the performances by stating that Randheer Beesu delivers a chilling performance and the female characters are confident, intelligent, and fearless.[4]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 Telugu, 10TV; Saketh 10tv (7 February 2026). "'ఆపరేషన్ పద్మ' మూవీ రివ్యూ." 10TV Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 23 February 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Chilukuri, Arun (6 February 2026). "Operation Padma Review: ఆపరేషన్ పద్మ మూవీ రివ్యూ: మైండ్ గేమ్స్తో కూడిన రాజకీయ థ్రిల్లర్..!". www.hmtvlive.com (in Telugu). Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Operation Padma Review:'ఆపరేషన్ పద్మ' రివ్యూ.. సస్పెన్స్ థ్రిల్లర్ ఆకట్టుకుందా..!". Zee News Telugu (in Telugu). 6 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sistu, Suhas (6 February 2026). "Operation Padma: A gritty, smart political thriller". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- 1 2 Telugu, ntv (6 February 2026). "రివ్యూ : ఆపరేషన్ పద్మ". NTV Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 23 February 2026.