Introduction
Miss India is a 2020 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Narendra Nath. The film stars Keerthy Suresh in the lead role, with a supporting cast including Jagapathi Babu, Rajendra Prasad, and Nadhiya. It was released directly on Netflix due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film tells the story of a determined young woman who aspires to establish her own tea business in a foreign land, overcoming multiple challenges along the way. Despite its ambitious premise, Miss India received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike.
Honest Review
Miss India is a film that tries to blend themes of female empowerment, entrepreneurship, and cultural identity. Keerthy Suresh delivers a commendable performance, but the film suffers from an underdeveloped screenplay and predictable storytelling. The central idea of a woman breaking stereotypes and achieving her dreams is commendable, yet the execution lacks depth. The dialogues often seem preachy rather than inspiring. While the cinematography and background score add value to the film, the pacing is slow, making it less engaging than expected. The film had the potential to be a gripping drama but falls into the trap of clichés, making it an average watch.
Cast
The film boasts a strong cast, led by National Award-winning actress Keerthy Suresh.
- Keerthy Suresh as Samyuktha, the ambitious protagonist who dreams of launching her tea brand in the US.
- Jagapathi Babu as Vijay Anand, the business tycoon and primary antagonist who challenges Samyuktha.
- Rajendra Prasad as Samyuktha’s grandfather, who supports her dreams.
- Nadhiya as Samyuktha’s mother, who initially disapproves of her ambitions.
- Naresh as Samyuktha’s father.
- Kamal Kamaraju as Arjun, Samyuktha’s brother.
- Sumanth Shailendra as Vijay, Samyuktha’s love interest.
- Pujita Ponnada as Preethi, Samyuktha’s close friend.
IMDb Rating
Upon its release, Miss India received a lukewarm response on IMDb, with a rating of 3.6/10. Many viewers criticized the film’s predictable narrative and lack of engaging storytelling. However, Keerthy Suresh’s performance was widely appreciated. The IMDb rating reflects the disappointment among audiences who expected a compelling women-centric drama but were left with an average execution.
Budget
The estimated budget for Miss India was around ₹15-20 crore. The production values were decent, with well-executed cinematography, stylish costumes, and international locations adding visual appeal. The film’s high production quality was evident, but the lack of a strong script and engaging execution made it less impactful.
Box Office Success
Since Miss India was released directly on Netflix, it did not have a traditional theatrical box office collection. However, Netflix reportedly acquired the streaming rights for around ₹12-15 crore, ensuring a decent return on investment for the producers. The film garnered significant viewership on the platform, particularly among Telugu cinema fans and Keerthy Suresh’s followers. Despite its mixed reception, Miss India managed to reach a wide audience due to its direct OTT release.
Final Verdict
Miss India is a film with noble intentions but lacks the gripping execution needed to make it a memorable cinematic experience. While Keerthy Suresh delivers a sincere performance, the film falls short due to its weak screenplay and predictable storyline. The idea of a woman entrepreneur breaking stereotypes is commendable, but the film fails to present it in a fresh and engaging manner. For fans of Keerthy Suresh, Miss India might be worth a one-time watch, but for others, it remains an average and forgettable film.