Directed by Gunasekhar, Euphoria marks his return after a brief gap, produced under his own banner, Guna Handmade Films. Known for handling large-scale stories, folklore, and mythological themes, Gunasekhar takes a different route this time with a serious, message-driven social drama. Starring Bhumika, Sara Arjun, Gowtham Menon, and Vighnesh Gavireddy, the film explores youth crime, drug abuse, and parental responsibility.

Plot Summary

Vindhya (Bhumika) is the Principal and Managing Director of a reputed corporate school. Her husband is a top real estate businessman, and their only son Vikas (Vighnesh Gavireddy) grows up surrounded by luxury and unlimited money. This easy access slowly pushes him into drug addiction, along with four of his friends.

During one such incident, the group sexually assaults Chaitra (Sara Arjun). Chaitra, who lives with her parents and younger brother, bravely decides to file a police complaint despite concerns about social reputation. Police officer Jayadev (Gowtham Menon) takes charge of the case.

Vindhya is shattered when she learns that her own son is the prime accused (A1) in the rape case. Though devastated as a mother, she believes that anyone who commits a crime must face punishment. What decision does she take as a mother? What consequences follow? How does Jayadev handle the case, and what happens to Chaitra? These questions form the core of the story.

Analysis

In simple terms, Euphoria is about a mother’s struggle to correct her misguided son. Gunasekhar’s narrative choice is interesting, as the film begins with a mother approaching the court saying, “I committed a mistake, punish me,” leading into an extended flashback.

The story moves between the courtroom and flashback sequences, eventually returning to the present. Unlike his earlier entertainment-focused films, Gunasekhar clearly avoids commercial elements here. He raises thought-provoking questions: Why are today’s youth going astray? How do drugs play a role? How responsible are parents who provide excess money and freedom? Who should be held accountable for crimes committed by minors?

While the first half builds good tension and curiosity, the second half fails to maintain the same grip. Once Bhumika’s character weakens emotionally in the narrative, the story also begins to lose focus.

Performances

Bhumika is the backbone of the film. The entire story revolves around her character, and she delivers a sincere and convincing performance. Sara Arjun is a major highlight; her natural acting leaves a strong impact. The young actors playing the accused perform decently without major flaws. Gowtham Menon, as a police officer, fits the role perfectly and brings credibility, as expected.

Technical Aspects

Gunasekhar’s direction shows sincerity and strong intent, though execution falters in parts. Praveen K. Pothan’s cinematography is neat and effective. Kalabhairava’s music is loud and dominant; however, the background score often feels excessive and distracts from the scenes, with lyrics not clearly audible. Praveen Pudi’s editing is acceptable but could have been tighter, especially in the second half.

Final Verdict

Euphoria Movie Review concludes that the film carries a strong social message: criminals are not only outside society but also within families, and parents must take responsibility for their children’s actions. Gunasekhar’s intention is honest and purposeful, but several scenes lose control, and others drift away from the core story.

While the director tries to avoid his usual cinematic “mark,” he succeeds only partially. A message-oriented film also needs engagement, and that element is largely missing here. Even without entertainment, the content itself feels inconsistent and weak in parts. With a stronger, more focused second half, Euphoria could have been a much better output.