“Bholaa Shankar” is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language action drama directed by Meher Ramesh, featuring Chiranjeevi in the titular role, alongside Tamannaah Bhatia and Keerthy Suresh. The film is an official remake of the 2015 Tamil movie “Vedalam.”

The story centers on Shankar (Chiranjeevi), who relocates to Kolkata with his beloved sister, Mahalakshmi (Keerthy Suresh), aiming to provide her with a better education and life. To support them, Shankar takes up a job as a taxi driver in the bustling city. Their lives intertwine with Lasya (Tamannaah Bhatia), a spirited lawyer, and her brother Srikar (Sushanth), who develops feelings for Mahalakshmi.

As events unfold, Shankar’s concealed past as a formidable gangster named Bhola in Hyderabad comes to light. His history is marked by violent encounters and a personal tragedy involving his fiancée, which compelled him to adopt a new identity and start afresh with his sister. The narrative intensifies when Shankar confronts a notorious human trafficking ring in Kolkata, leading to a series of action-packed sequences where he seeks vengeance against those who threaten his family and disrupt societal peace.

Despite the film’s high-profile cast and the legacy of its source material, “Bholaa Shankar” received predominantly negative reviews from critics. The New Indian Express described it as “a hollow and distasteful homage to the mass legacy of Chiranjeevi,” criticizing its lack of engaging content and over-reliance on the star’s persona. Great Andhra labeled the film “a complete bore,” noting that it “neither entertains nor features appealing tunes, as one would expect from a Chiranjeevi film.” Gulte pointed out the film’s outdated narrative and direction, stating that it “lacked both style and substance,” and highlighted the underwhelming first half and predictable storyline.

In summary, “Bholaa Shankar” attempts to blend familial bonds with high-octane action but falters due to its clichéd plot and execution, failing to resonate with both critics and audiences.