By Anumana Pakshi is a Telugu comedy thriller directed by Vimal Krishna, who previously directed DJ Tillu. The film stars Rag Mayur in the lead role, alongside Merin Philip, Prince Cecil, Charith, Brahmaji, Raashi and Ajay. Released on September 25, 2026, the movie combines comedy, mystery, suspicion and thriller elements around a protagonist who has a habit of doubting almost everything.
The central idea is definitely different, and the Kashmir setting adds a fresh visual backdrop. However, the film’s success depends heavily on whether the audience connects with its unusual humour and constantly suspicious protagonist.
Story & Concept
The story follows Sunny (Rag Mayur), a young man from Vizag who overthinks almost every situation and suspects the people around him. He even runs a YouTube channel called Anumana Pakshi, where he shares his suspicions.
Things change when his friend Ananth contacts him from Kashmir and says that he is struggling with depression and may take his own life. Sunny decides to travel to Kashmir with his friend Varma (Prince Cecil).
After reaching Kashmir, Sunny meets Kanya (Merin Philip) and becomes involved in a series of increasingly suspicious situations. When Varma dies under mysterious circumstances, Sunny’s habit of suspecting everyone suddenly becomes much more serious.
The movie then turns into a mystery involving friendship, deception, relationships and the question of whether Sunny’s suspicions are actually correct.
Performance
Rag Mayur is the main attraction of the film.
He completely commits to Sunny’s eccentric personality, using nervous expressions, unusual reactions and comic timing to establish the character. Some reviewers found his performance entertaining, particularly in the first half.
However, the character’s constant suspicion can also become repetitive because the screenplay doesn’t always provide enough variations on the central joke.
Merin Philip makes her Telugu debut as Kanya and brings an easy screen presence to the role, although the character doesn’t receive enough depth.
Prince Cecil and Ajay also contribute to the film, with Ajay’s police-character track providing some situational comedy. Raashi and Brahmaji appear in supporting roles.
Screenplay & Direction
The biggest strength of the concept is also its biggest challenge.
The idea of building an entire comedy thriller around a person who suspects everything has plenty of potential. Vimal Krishna attempts to combine that character trait with a murder mystery and contemporary social-media humour.
The first half reportedly works better when the movie concentrates on Sunny’s behaviour and the situations created by his overthinking.
However, several critics felt that the screenplay doesn’t generate enough consistently funny situations. Some reviews also criticized the lack of strong punchlines and the difficulty in maintaining momentum once the mystery takes over.
Comedy & Entertainment
Comedy is obviously one of the film’s biggest selling points.
There are situational-comedy moments involving Sunny, Varma and the police characters, and some reviewers found Rag Mayur’s performance genuinely amusing.
At the same time, this is where the reviews are most divided. Some critics felt that the jokes don’t land frequently enough and that the central gag becomes repetitive.
So, the film’s humour may depend heavily on individual taste.
Mystery & Thriller Elements
The film becomes more interesting once the mysterious death enters the story.
Sunny’s suspicious nature suddenly becomes relevant because he starts questioning the people and circumstances around him. The movie uses his theories to create uncertainty about who can be trusted.
The concept has enough material for an engaging mystery, although the screenplay doesn’t always extract the maximum suspense from it.
Kashmir Setting & Cinematography
The Kashmir backdrop is one of the film’s visual positives.
The cinematography captures the locations attractively and gives the movie a different look from a typical Telugu comedy. Several reviews have praised the way Kashmir has been presented visually.
The production values also give the film a relatively polished appearance.
Music & Technical Aspects
Sricharan Pakala provides the music and background score.
There is some disagreement among reviews here. Some felt the background score supports the thriller portions effectively, while others found the music less memorable and lacking the impact needed to elevate the comedy and suspense.
The cinematography is generally better received than the music, while the editing keeps the runtime relatively manageable.
Second Half & Climax
The second half shifts more heavily toward the mystery and investigation.
Ajay’s police character and the social-media/reels angle provide some additional comic material, while the film gradually attempts to connect the different characters and events.
However, the screenplay can feel less energetic as it moves away from Sunny’s initial comic situations. This is where some reviewers felt the film begins testing the audience’s patience.
The climax provides answers to the mystery, but the overall payoff depends on how much the audience has connected with the film’s unusual style.
What Works
- Fresh and unusual central concept
- Rag Mayur’s committed performance
- Situational comedy in parts
- Kashmir backdrop
- Good visual presentation
- Interesting mystery setup
- Ajay’s comic track
- Relatively short runtime
- Different approach to the Telugu comedy-thriller genre
What Doesn’t Work
- Comedy isn’t consistently effective
- Central joke can become repetitive
- Screenplay lacks consistency
- Mystery doesn’t always generate enough suspense
- Some supporting characters are underutilized
- Music/BGM has limited impact
- Second half loses some momentum
- Audience expectations after DJ Tillu may work against the film
Final Verdict
Anumana Pakshi has a genuinely different idea at its centre. The concept of an obsessive overthinker who suspects everyone around him can provide plenty of opportunities for comedy and mystery.
Rag Mayur gives the character his best, while the Kashmir setting adds visual freshness. The movie also deserves credit for attempting something different rather than following a completely conventional comedy formula.
However, the screenplay doesn’t consistently convert the concept into strong comedy or suspense. Some situations work, while others feel repetitive or stretched.
The result is a mixed comedy thriller that may work better for viewers who enjoy quirky characters and unconventional humour, while audiences expecting the sharp comedy associated with DJ Tillu may find it underwhelming.
Overall Rating: 2.5/5
Story: ⭐⭐⭐½
Screenplay: ⭐⭐½
Performances: ⭐⭐⭐½
Comedy: ⭐⭐⭐
Thriller: ⭐⭐⭐
Cinematography: ⭐⭐⭐½
Music/BGM: ⭐⭐⭐
Direction: ⭐⭐⭐
Climax: ⭐⭐½
Entertainment: ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐
Verdict: A quirky concept with a committed Rag Mayur performance and attractive Kashmir visuals, but inconsistent comedy and an uneven screenplay keep Anumana Pakshi from becoming a truly satisfying comedy thriller.
