# Pekamedalu

Pekamedalu (transl. House of cards) is a 2024 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by Neelagiri Mamilla and produced by Rakesh Varre through Crazy Ants Productions. The film features Vinoth Kishan and Anoosha Krishna in lead roles, with music composed by Smaran. Pekamedalu was released on 19 July 2024.

## Plot

The story centers on Lakshman (Vinod Kishan), an engineering graduate living in a small neighborhood in Hyderabad. Unlike most, Lakshman has no interest in pursuing a conventional job. Instead, he dreams of making quick money through real estate and plays Online Rummy all the time and building castles in the air. His wife, Varalakshmi (Anusha Krishna), supports the family by making and selling snacks, also working in other households. She aspires to start her own curry point, needing Rs.50,000 for the venture. Lakshman borrows this amount from a friend called Shivanna but spends it on personal needs. He lies to Varalakshmi he got the amount through one of his deals.
Lakshman becomes entangled with an NRI woman, Swetha (Rethika Srinivas), married to another man, under the guise of a real estate business partnership. This affair introduces significant changes in his life. Lakshman decides to marry Swetha for her property, who decides to give divorce to her husband, who is against this. Meanwhile, Lakshman friend warns his actions as wrong, but he wantedly makes a deaf year and asks for a divorce to Varalakshmi, which makes her shatter.
Later in one of his business meetings, the client reveals himself as Swetha's brother and gets to know all the facts through his brother in law and bashes Lakshman. Then, he records all the truth from Lakshman and sends it to her sister, and then she ends her relationship with him. After coming home, he gets to know that Varalakshmi went back to her hometown. Later, both families meet for a settlement with their community people. Their Lakshman shows his chauvinistic nature towards Varalakshmi and orders to come back his home. But her brother bashes Lakshman and his family by blaming them as frauds. Later, Varalakshmi decides to go back to her husband because of unbearable taunts by her sister in law.
After coming back to her home, Lakshman becomes decent, and he gets a small job in BPO. Life seems happy for Varalakshmi they puts a financial goals to increase their lifestyle, and one of her household supports her financially to set up a curries point in a center, which eventually becomes a profitable vent one day, Varalakshmi accidentally lifts the call of Lakshman and gets to know that he left the job a week ago without informing anyone. Then she confronts her husband again, and then he shows his real face and slaps her.
Later, Lakshman comes to her workplace to apologize, and then suddenly, Shivanna appears and asks his money. Lakshman tries to manage the situation, but Varalakshmi overheard all the facts and shouts at him. Then, the reckless Lakshman slaps his wife again and damages all the products and leaves. Later, the Varalakshmi's house hold who is a cop who has a daughterly affection on her bashes Lakshman and warns him to be straight. Later at night, Lakshman becomes angered and commits Domestic Violence against Varalakshmi, then she retaliates back then the neighbors become alert and tries to bash Lakshman but he escapes from them then they safe guards Varalakshmi and her son Tinku.
After one year, now Varalakshmi is shifted to a middle-class locality with her son, and now her curries point business is increased into an outlet. The film ends with Lakshman becoming a loafer and addicted completely Online Rummy.

## Cast

* Anusha Krishna as Varalakshmi "Varalu"
* Vinoth Kishan as Lakshman, Varalaxmi's husband
* Rethika Srinivas as Swetha
* Muralidhar Goud as a relative to Varalakshmi
* Jagan Yogi Raj
* Anusha Nuthala
* Ganesh Thipparaju
* Naren Yadav

## Music

The film's soundtrack album and background score were composed by Smaran.
All lyrics are written by Bhargava Karthik; all music is composed by Smaran

## Release and reception

Pekamedalu was released on 19 July 2024.
Citing it as "one of the best Telugu films", BH Harsh of The New Indian Express gave a rating of 4 out of 5, while praising Neelagiri Mamilla's direction, screenplay and performances of lead actors. He further stated "Pekamedalu one of the most captivating and impactful films of the year so far". Deccan Chronicle's Bhavana Sharma too echoed the same, while stating that "Pekamedalu relies on character-driven storytelling and genuine emotions". Giving a nearly positive review, The Times of India stated "Director Nilgri Mamilla did a commendable job portraying and narrating a story on real-life struggles, supported by content-oriented actors and great music". Suhas Sistu of The Hans India opined that the film have similar narratives like Ammo! Okato Tareekhu (2000), Sarada Saradaga (2006) and Sreeramachandralu, yet stands out with its unique storyline. Citing it as "must watch", Suhas in his review wrote that "Peka Medalu is a commendable effort in portraying real-life struggles and the importance of perseverance. With strong performances, especially by Vinod Kishan and Anusha Krishna, and solid technical work, the film delivers a heartfelt narrative".