Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Epic First Semester Review Praises Chemistry, Criticizes Slow Screenplay
Epic First Semester is about two young Indians who meet while studying in London.
Aditya goes abroad because his parents want him to study, even though he dreams of making films.
Kadali is more confident and independent than Aditya.
They begin a relationship and face both happy and difficult moments together.
The movie talks openly about intimacy, health and living away from family.
The actors playing the couple work well together.
However, the movie moves very slowly and repeats some ideas.
It ends without fully solving the story because a second film is planned.
Epic First Semester follows Aditya and Kadali, two young Indians navigating education, romance and independence in London.
Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya are praised for their natural chemistry and emotionally convincing performances.
The film candidly addresses intimacy, female health and the practical difficulties of living together abroad.
The review criticizes the film’s slow pace, repetitive conversations and underdeveloped supporting characters.
The deliberately incomplete ending sets up Epic Final Semester but may leave viewers feeling they watched only half a film.
- Who
- Aditya, played by Anand Deverakonda, and Kadali, played by Vaishnavi Chaitanya, are the central characters.
- What
- A Telugu film review assesses a relationship drama about two young Indians studying and living together abroad.
- Where
- The story is primarily set in London, with additional portions in Wanaparthy.
- Why
- The film explores how studying abroad changes young people and places pressure on their relationships, ambitions and independence.
What Works
What Falls Short
Lead performances
What Works
Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya deliver convincing performances, with their chemistry described as the film’s strongest asset.
What Falls Short
Kadali is presented as strong and independent, but the screenplay does not test those qualities deeply enough.
Relationship writing
What Works
The film treats intimacy, female health and the realities of living together with unusual candour for Telugu cinema.
What Falls Short
Many conversations revisit the same emotional territory without moving the story forward.
Ending
What Works
The incomplete conclusion creates a clear bridge to the planned sequel, Epic Final Semester.
What Falls Short
The film stops without resolving its story, potentially making it feel like only the first half of a movie.
- Film
- Epic First Semester
- Director
- Aditya Hasan
- Lead cast
- Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya
- Setting
- London university life, with portions in Wanaparthy
- Planned continuation
- Epic Final Semester
- Review rating
- 2 stars
- Key technical strength
- Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music and background score