Bubblegum (film)

Bubblegum is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film directed by Ravikanth Perepu and produced by P Vimala under Maheshwari Movies and People Media Factory. It stars Suma Kanakala and Rajeev Kanakala's son Roshan Kanakala, Maanasa Choudhary, Chaitu Jonnalagadda, Harsha Chemudu, Anannyaa Akulaa, Anu Hasan, Kiran Macha in lead roles. The film was theatrically released in India on 29 December 2023.

Plot
Sai Aditya, also known as Adhi (Roshan Kanakala), is an ordinary guy with a passion for becoming a DJ. His life takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with Jahnavi (Maanasa Choudhary), a girl from an affluent background. The two fall deeply in love, but their romantic journey takes a tumultuous twist when a pivotal event occurs, testing the strength of their relationship. The narrative unfolds as it explores the aftermath of this event, questioning whether Adhi and Jahnavi choose to part ways or if they attempt to reconcile against all odds.

Soundtrack
The music and background score is composed by Sricharan Pakala. The audio rights were acquired by Sony Music South.

Release
Bubblegum had a worldwide theatrical release on 29 December 2023.

The digital streaming of the film was sold to Aha. The film was made available from 9 February 2024 in Telugu.

Reception
Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote that "Bubblegum title doesn't allude to a saccharine romance but rather emphasizes how romance, initially delightful, can become as adhesive as bubblegum, challenging to extricate oneself from even if the desire to do so exists."

A critic from 123telugu gave the film 2.5/5 stars and stated that "Bubblegum, a romantic drama, disappoints as it grapples with a conventional storyline, recurring themes, and extraneous subplots that detract from the main narrative. Despite commendable performances from newcomers Roshan and Manasa, the movie struggles to captivate the audience. While it may connect with certain youth demographics, the romantic scenes may not resonate well with family audiences."

Paul Nicodemus of The Times of India gave the film 2.5/5 stars and wrote that "Bubblegum takes on the complicated stuff—love, ambition, and self-respect. It goes through the usual romance and drama, but does it in a new way with great acting. It's a movie worth watching."

Chandu Donkana of Sakshi Post gave the film 2.5/5 stars and wrote "The storyline takes a departure from conventional love tales, unfolding a love track that advances with limited emotional resonance, predominantly fueled by desires rather than profound feelings."

Abhilasha Cherukuri of The New Indian Express gave the film 3/5 stars that stated "The film, starting slow with generic elements and stereotypes, gains momentum post-interval with a compelling redemption arc. Lead actor Roshan delivers a charming debut, and Jayram Eeshwar's memorable performance adds depth to the recurring theme of incomplete love stories in director Ravikanth Perepu's films."

Nelki Naresh Kumar of Hindustan Times wrote that "Bubble Gum emerges as a modern love story. Despite a somewhat conventional plot, the film distinguishes itself through its bold and audacious content, catering specifically to the preferences of the youthful audience."

Bhargav Chaganti of NTV Telugu gave the film 2.5/5 stated “Bubble Gum, struggles with clichéd romance and forced comedy, despite some impressive moments in the love track and an impactful Interval Bang. The film lacks depth in establishing the reasons for the characters’ love, leaving the overall narrative with a routine feel."

A critic from Eenadu stated that Commencing with a "Bubblegum-like blandness, the story unfolds slowly, gradually revealing a touch of sweetness towards the end. However, it falls short in the novelty department, with a lackluster first half dragging down the overall appeal."

A critic from V6 News wrote that "Love, resembling the journey of bubblegum, begins with chewing but transforms into a lingering challenge, symbolized by its adhesive persistence under shoes and on theater seats."