“Pothugadda,” directed by Raksha Veeram, is a Telugu political drama that delves into themes of love, betrayal, and political ambition. Set in the fictional Pothugadda constituency of Kurnool district, the film centers on incumbent MLA Samudra (Aadukalam Naren), who has held his position for a decade. As elections approach, his challenger, Bhaskar (Shatru), is determined to unseat him by any means necessary. To garner support from women and youth voters, Samudra appoints his daughter, Geetha (Vismaya Sri), as the district youth president. However, disinterested in politics and in love with Krishna (Prudhvi Dandamudi), Geetha elopes with him. Unbeknownst to them, the bus they board carries a hidden stash of money intended for election bribery. This sets off a chain of events involving political intrigue and personal vendettas.

The film attempts to present a fresh perspective by avoiding the typical factional feuds often associated with Rayalaseema-based stories. However, it struggles with a lack of originality, as the narrative feels reminiscent of previously told tales about honor killings and political machinations. The pacing is notably slow, and the emotional depth required to engage the audience is missing. Key scenes that should evoke empathy or tension fall flat, leaving viewers disconnected from the characters’ plights.