By Don’t Trouble The Trouble is a 2026 Telugu fantasy-comedy adventure directed by Shashank Yeleti, starring Fahadh Faasil, Ssara Palekar, Saurabh Sachdeva and Mahesh Manjrekar. The film marks Fahadh Faasil’s first Telugu movie as a solo lead and is produced by SS Karthikeya, with SS Rajamouli presenting the film. Released on October 2, 2026, the movie combines fantasy, comedy, emotion and adventure into a story aimed particularly at family audiences.
The film has an unusual central idea and benefits considerably from Fahadh’s performance and the chemistry between him and young actor Ssara Palekar. However, the screenplay doesn’t consistently maintain the same charm, especially during the second half.
Story & Concept
The story follows Suri (Fahadh Faasil), an ambulance driver who is obsessed with making money and dreams of escaping his current life. He is willing to lie and cheat whenever it helps him get closer to his financial goals.
After getting into trouble with a gangster, Suri is given a short deadline to arrange a large amount of money. Desperate to save himself, he decides to kidnap a child from a wealthy family.
He eventually kidnaps Divya (Ssara Palekar), but there is one major problem: Divya is not an ordinary child.
Divya has a mysterious connection to the supernatural, and even she doesn’t completely understand what she is. What begins as a kidnapping gradually turns into an unexpected journey involving magic, danger, friendship and emotional discovery.
Performance
Fahadh Faasil is easily the biggest strength of the movie.
Playing Suri requires him to balance comedy, selfishness, fear and emotion, and Fahadh brings plenty of personality to the character. His Telugu dialogue delivery also adds to the charm of the performance.
Ssara Palekar is another major positive. She brings innocence and energy to Divya, and her chemistry with Fahadh becomes the emotional centre of the film.
The relationship between Suri and Divya gradually changes from an unusual kidnapping situation into something much more heartfelt.
The supporting cast, including Saurabh Sachdeva and Mahesh Manjrekar, adds to the fantasy-adventure world, although the central duo receives most of the attention.
Screenplay & Direction
Director Shashank Yeleti attempts something different by combining a morally questionable protagonist with a child-centred fantasy adventure.
The concept has enough material for a charming family film, and the first half establishes the characters and unusual situation effectively.
However, the screenplay doesn’t always know how to develop the fantasy elements. Several developments are predictable, and the narrative occasionally feels slower than it should.
Some critics have specifically pointed to uninventive writing and sluggish pacing as reasons the film doesn’t reach its full potential.
Fantasy & Adventure Elements
The fantasy component gives the film its identity.
Instead of relying on large-scale action, the movie uses magic and supernatural situations to create its adventure. The presence of Divya and her unusual abilities allows the story to move into a world that is very different from Fahadh’s usual intense dramas.
The film feels particularly suited to younger audiences who may enjoy the magical elements and the journey involving Suri, Divya and the dog Snoopy.
However, viewers expecting a darker or more sophisticated fantasy story may find the approach fairly simple.
Comedy & Emotional Elements
The comedy mostly comes from Suri’s personality and his interactions with Divya.
Fahadh’s natural comic timing helps several scenes, while the contrast between Suri’s selfish personality and Divya’s innocence creates some entertaining situations.
The emotional side of the film becomes more important as their relationship develops. Suri slowly begins to see Divya as more than a means to make money.
This character transformation provides the film with its heart, although some critics felt that the emotional moments don’t always land as strongly as intended.
Music & Technical Aspects
Kaala Bhairava handles the music, while Brad Francis is responsible for cinematography and Praveen Anthony for editing.
The background score helps establish the film’s fantasy-adventure tone and supports the lighter moments.
The cinematography gives the movie a colourful and accessible visual style, while the editing generally keeps the journey moving despite some pacing issues in the later portions.
Pacing & Runtime
The biggest problem is the uneven pacing.
The first half has enough curiosity because the audience wants to understand Divya and discover where the unusual journey is heading.
But the second half slows down and becomes more predictable. Some scenes feel stretched, and the fantasy elements don’t always create the sense of wonder the concept promises.
Several reviews have identified the second half as the point where the film loses momentum.
Second Half & Climax
The second half focuses more heavily on the emotional relationship between Suri and Divya while bringing the supernatural mystery closer to its conclusion.
There are some effective emotional moments, and the film eventually reveals more about Divya’s situation.
The climax has a few interesting ideas and provides emotional closure, but the journey towards it isn’t as engaging as the film’s premise suggests.
For children and family audiences, the ending may work better because of its emotional and fantastical approach. Adult viewers looking for a sharper fantasy thriller may find it too predictable.
What Works
- Fahadh Faasil’s performance
- Ssara Palekar’s performance
- Strong chemistry between the lead pair
- Unusual fantasy premise
- Family-friendly tone
- Emotional core
- Fahadh’s Telugu dialogue delivery
- Fantasy and adventure elements
- Kaala Bhairava’s background score
- Suitable for younger audiences
What Doesn’t Work
- Predictable screenplay
- Slow second half
- Comedy doesn’t work consistently
- Fantasy elements aren’t explored deeply enough
- Some emotional scenes feel forced
- Limited character development for supporting roles
- Narrative loses momentum midway
- Adults may find the story too simple
Final Verdict
Don’t Trouble The Trouble is a simple and unusual fantasy adventure that works best because of its central performances.
Fahadh Faasil brings plenty of charm to Suri, while Ssara Palekar is a strong screen partner, making their unlikely relationship the emotional heart of the movie.
The concept is interesting, and the film’s family-friendly fantasy approach makes it accessible to younger viewers. However, the screenplay doesn’t consistently match the potential of the premise. The second half becomes predictable and slower, while some of the emotional and fantasy elements could have been developed more effectively.
It may not work equally well for every audience, but for families and children looking for a light fantasy adventure, there is enough charm here to make the journey worthwhile.
Overall Rating: 2.75/5
Story: ⭐⭐⭐½
Screenplay: ⭐⭐½
Performances: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Comedy: ⭐⭐⭐
Fantasy: ⭐⭐⭐½
Emotions: ⭐⭐⭐½
Cinematography: ⭐⭐⭐½
Music/BGM: ⭐⭐⭐½
Direction: ⭐⭐⭐
Climax: ⭐⭐⭐
Entertainment: ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐
Verdict: A charming fantasy adventure elevated by Fahadh Faasil and Ssara Palekar, but an uneven screenplay and slow second half keep Don’t Trouble The Trouble from reaching its full potential.
