LYF – Love Your Father Movie Review: A Heartfelt Attempt Undone by Outdated Storytelling

Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)


Introduction: A Fresh Theme with Old-School Packaging

In the world of Telugu cinema, where heroes often punch their way into glory within the first few scenes, LYF – Love Your Father takes a surprisingly patient route. Directed by Pavan Ketharaju, this film explores the tender bond between a father and son against a spiritual and philosophical backdrop. It dares to tread a path less travelled but unfortunately trips over outdated commercial clichés along the way.


Plot Summary: An Unusual Father-Son Tale with a Spiritual Twist

The story centers on Siddharth (Sri Harsha) and his father Kishore (SP Charan). Kishore’s humble occupation involves performing final rites for unclaimed orphaned corpses, believing it’s the ultimate service to humanity. Their quiet life is disrupted when a powerful gambling kingpin frames Kishore in a horse doping scandal. What follows is Siddharth’s journey of redemption and revenge to clear his father’s name.

Beneath this revenge-driven exterior lies a deeper layer—philosophical reflections on life, death, and destiny—highlighted by the setting of Varanasi and Kishore’s noble work. But these thoughtful elements struggle to shine through the film’s heavy reliance on old, predictable tropes.


Performances: SP Charan Steals the Show

SP Charan emerges as the movie’s soul. His heartfelt portrayal of Kishore exudes sincerity and emotional gravity, making the father-son bond genuinely moving. As the son, Sri Harsha makes a modest debut—believable but lacking the magnetic screen presence expected of a lead in Telugu cinema.

Sadly, the rest of the cast, especially the comedy duo Praveen and Shakalaka Shankar, fail to make an impression. Their misplaced humour feels awkward in an otherwise serious narrative.


Direction & Screenplay: A Battle Between Ambition and Formula

Pavan Ketharaju’s direction reveals a desire to tell a meaningful story, but the execution falters. Every moment of emotional depth is undercut by unnecessary detours into tired cinematic formulas—villains stuck in the ’90s and conflicts that feel overly familiar. The screenplay suffers from inconsistency, shifting tones between serious drama and forced comedy, preventing full emotional engagement.


Music & Technical Aspects: A Mixed Bag

Mani Sharma’s background score deserves praise for adding an old-world charm to the film’s atmosphere. However, the songs lack punch and memorability, dragging the film’s musical potential down. Shyam K Naidu’s cinematography also disappoints—the camera work fails to enhance the philosophical weight of the film’s setting, missing opportunities to visually elevate the narrative.


Action & Climax: Earned but Underwhelming

In contrast to typical Telugu blockbusters, LYF avoids unnecessary action until its finale—a refreshing choice. But when the action finally arrives, the impact feels muted due to predictable plot twists and a familiar conclusion that robs the climax of emotional power.


What Works in LYF – Love Your Father:

Strong emotional core through the father-son relationship.
SP Charan’s powerful performance that holds the story together.
Interesting spiritual themes about death, life, and fate.
Minimal unnecessary action—the film builds to its final fight.


What Doesn’t Work:

Outdated villain trope and clichéd conflict.
Inconsistent screenplay that juggles tones awkwardly.
Uninspired comedy track that fails to deliver laughs.
Weak cinematography and songs that miss the emotional mark.


Verdict: Worth a Watch, But Only Once

LYF – Love Your Father is a sincere, well-intentioned film that tries to blend heartwarming emotion with commercial cinema. While it succeeds in parts—thanks largely to SP Charan—it stumbles due to outdated ideas and an uneven screenplay. If you appreciate simple, emotional dramas, this could be a decent one-time watch. However, if you expect a gripping, fresh narrative, LYF might leave you wanting more.


Final Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

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Jun 4, 2025 - Posted by filmygod - No Comments

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