Here are some of the most underrated Telugu movies that may not have received significant commercial success but are highly appreciated for their storytelling, performances, or direction:

1. C/o Kancharapalem (2018) Director: Venkatesh Maha Plot: A heartwarming anthology set in the small town of Kancharapalem, showcasing four interwoven love stories across different age groups and social backgrounds. Why Underrated? Despite its modest budget and lack of star power, it offers a realistic portrayal of love, life, and society. It became a sleeper hit but is still underappreciated by mainstream audiences.
2. Brochevarevarura (2019) Director: Vivek Athreya Plot: A quirky crime comedy involving a group of students and their involvement in a kidnapping gone wrong. Why Underrated? The film has a smart screenplay, engaging humor, and a fresh approach to storytelling but did not receive widespread attention.
3. Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi (2018) Director: Tharun Bhascker Plot: A tale of four friends who reunite to participate in a short film competition, while navigating personal and professional challenges. Why Underrated? Though the film resonated with youth audiences for its witty dialogues and relatable portrayal of friendship, it didn’t receive the widespread recognition it deserved.
4. Mallesham (2019) Director: Raj R Plot: Based on the true story of Chintakindi Mallesham, who revolutionized the weaving industry with his invention to ease the work of traditional weavers. Why Underrated? Despite its inspiring biopic narrative and strong performance by Priyadarshi, the film flew under the radar for mainstream audiences.
5. Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya (2019) Director: Swaroop RSJ Plot: A quirky detective story about a small-town detective’s investigation into a major conspiracy. Why Underrated? It was appreciated for its engaging narrative and humor but did not garner the attention it deserved from wider audiences.
6. Goodachari (2018) Director: Sashi Kiran Tikka Plot: A spy thriller about a young RAW agent who uncovers a conspiracy while being falsely accused of treason. Why Underrated? While it did reasonably well at the box office, it remains lesser-known compared to big-budget thrillers despite its clever plot and execution. 7
7. Kshanam (2016) Director: Ravikanth Perepu Plot: A suspense thriller about a man returning to India to help his ex-girlfriend find her missing daughter. Why Underrated? Despite being a trendsetter for low-budget thrillers, its recognition was overshadowed by larger films released in the same year.
8. Manamantha (2016) Director: Chandrasekhar Yeleti Plot: A multi-narrative story focusing on four individuals from different walks of life whose lives intertwine due to unexpected events. Why Underrated? This subtle drama with excellent performances by Mohanlal and Gautami went unnoticed in the larger commercial spectrum.
9. Prasthanam (2010) Director: Deva Katta Plot: A political drama that explores the power struggle within a family and its moral conflicts. Why Underrated? While it is considered a cult classic today, it did not receive enough attention when it was first released despite its strong performances and gripping story.
10. Na Bangaru Talli (2013) Director: Rajesh Touchriver Plot: A harrowing story based on real events, about human trafficking and a father-daughter relationship. Why Underrated? Despite its social relevance and critical acclaim, the film had limited reach due to its hard-hitting subject matter and limited release.
11. Awe (2018) Director: Prasanth Varma Plot: A psychological drama that blends multiple genres, featuring a diverse group of people connected by an underlying mystery. Why Underrated? While it was praised for its experimental storytelling, it did not capture mass attention due to its complex narrative and lack of mainstream appeal.
12. Uppena (2021) Director: Buchi Babu Sana Plot: A romantic drama dealing with caste-based issues and honor killing, set in a rural background.
13. Naandhi (2021) Director: Vijay Kanakamedala Plot: A legal drama about a man wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit and his journey to seek justice. Why Underrated? It was praised for its hard-hitting portrayal of police brutality and human rights violations but did not receive the widespread recognition it deserved.
14. Middle Class Melodies (2020) Director: Vinod Anantoju Plot: A feel-good story about a young man from a small village who dreams of opening his own restaurant in the nearby town. Why Underrated? Though appreciated on OTT platforms, it didn’t receive much attention from mainstream media despite its simple, relatable narrative and heartwarming performances.
15. Appatlo Okadundevadu (2016) Director: Sagar K. Chandra Plot: A period drama set in the late 1990s, revolving around the life of an aspiring cricketer who gets entangled in Naxalite activities due to unforeseen circumstances. Why Underrated? The film’s powerful storytelling and layered characters were overlooked by larger audiences, but it is now seen as a cult favorite for its realistic portrayal of a tumultuous period in Indian history.
16. Sita on the Road (2021) Director: Praneeth Yaron Plot: A road trip film about five women from different walks of life who embark on a journey of self-discovery and liberation. Why Underrated? Despite its strong feminist message and poignant performances, it didn’t attract much attention due to limited promotion and distribution.
17. Pelli Choopulu (2016) Director: Tharun Bhascker Plot: A romantic comedy about two individuals with different ambitions who meet through an arranged marriage setup, but end up starting a business together. Why Underrated? Although it gained some recognition post-release, it is still underappreciated compared to more commercially successful rom-coms despite its fresh take on relationships and entrepreneurship.
18. Dorasani (2019) Director: KVR Mahendra Plot: A period romantic drama about the forbidden love between a village boy and the daughter of a feudal landlord. Why Underrated? While the performances of the lead actors were appreciated, the movie’s realistic yet slow-paced storytelling style did not appeal to the masses.
19. Aithe (2003) Director: Chandra Sekhar Yeleti Plot: A crime thriller about four unemployed friends who get involved in a hijacking plot. Why Underrated? Despite winning the National Film Award, it remains lesser-known among mainstream audiences but is admired for its tight screenplay and unconventional plot.
20. Mithunam (2012) Director: Tanikella Bharani Plot: A heartwarming story about an elderly couple living in a rural village, focusing on their bond, love, and companionship. Why Underrated? With limited release and no major stars, it is a beautifully crafted film that slipped under the radar despite stellar performances by SP Balasubrahmanyam and Lakshmi.
21. Amrutham Chandamamalo (2014) Director: Gunnam Gangaraju Plot: A comedy based on the popular Telugu sitcom Amrutham, about two friends who accidentally end up on a space mission. Why Underrated? Though it had a loyal fan base from the sitcom, it did not attract larger audiences despite its light-hearted and humorous approach.
22. Evade Subramanyam (2015) Director: Nag Ashwin Plot: A soul-searching journey of a corporate man who embarks on a spiritual quest in the Himalayas after his friend’s death. Why Underrated? While it became popular later, the film’s philosophical themes and offbeat nature meant it did not achieve immediate mainstream success.
23. Sankarabharanam (2015) Director: Uday Nandanavanam Plot: A crime comedy revolving around a rich NRI’s visit to India, where he becomes a victim of a kidnapping scam. Why Underrated? Though the film had some comedic moments and an interesting premise, it was overshadowed by bigger releases at the time.
24. Maa Vintha Gaadha Vinuma (2020) Director: Aditya Mandala Plot: A quirky rom-com where a video leak creates chaos in a young couple’s lives, causing a rift in their relationship. Why Underrated? Despite a modern and engaging narrative, it did not gain significant attention in theaters but has been appreciated more on streaming platforms.
25. Raja Varu Rani Garu (2019) Director: Ravi Kiran Kola Plot: A charming rural drama about unspoken love and the emotional struggle of a young man who loves his childhood friend but fears rejection. Why Underrated? The film is a fresh take on love and friendship in a village setting but did not receive the attention it deserved due to its small-scale release.
26. Oohalu Gusagusalade (2014) Director: Srinivas Avasarala Plot: A rom-com about a young man who ends up helping his boss woo the woman he once loved, creating a series of comedic and emotional situations.
    Why Underrated? While it was a sleeper hit, it remains underappreciated compared to bigger rom-coms despite its witty writing and relatable characters.
27. Vedam (2010) Director: Krish Jagarlamudi Plot: A multi-narrative drama following five individuals from different backgrounds whose lives converge in a hospital during a terrorist attack. Why Underrated? Though critically acclaimed, Vedam didn’t receive the commercial success it deserved, overshadowed by more masala-driven films released that year.
28. Ghazi (2017) Director: Sankalp Reddy Plot: Based on true events, this war film chronicles the underwater battle between Indian and Pakistani submarines during the 1971 war. Why Underrated? While Ghazi was well-received by critics, it did not make a massive commercial impact, despite its unique premise and gripping story.
29. Kanche (2015) Director: Krish Jagarlamudi Plot: A period drama set against the backdrop of World War II, revolving around casteism and love in a rural Indian setting. Why Underrated? Despite the ambitious setting and storyline, it did not receive as much attention as it should have, given its historical importance and unique war backdrop.
30. Krishna and His Leela (2020) Director: Ravikanth Perepu Plot: A modern rom-com about a young man caught between his ex-girlfriend and current girlfriend, leading to a series of romantic entanglements. Why Underrated? Though a relatable and fun take on modern relationships, it didn’t get the attention it deserved outside of streaming platforms.

Why Underrated? Although the film did well at the box office, its sensitive portrayal of casteism and solid performances are often overlooked in the larger context of romantic dramas. These movies stand out for their unique storytelling, strong performances, or technical brilliance but often get overshadowed by big-budget blockbusters