Play Back
Play Back is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language science fiction drama film written and directed by Hari Prasad Jakka. The film stars Dinesh Tej, Ananya Nagalla, Arjun Kalyan, and Spandana. "Play Back" is marketed as the first Indian film based on cross time connection. The plot follows Karthik (Tej) and Sujatha (Nagalla), two people from different time periods who connect together through a phone call. The film was released on 5 March 2021. Plot. In 2019, crime reporter Karthik, who works in TV5, moves into an old house. The landline in his house receives a phone call from  Sujatha which is intended for someone else. Sujatha's landline, however, repeatedly connects only to Kathik's landline. With no choice left, Sujatha seeks Karthik's help on her passport issue which he obliges. He tries to help her out but soon they realize that they are in different time periods, Karthik in 2019 and Sujatha in 1993. Production and release. Hari Prasad Jakka who worked as a co-writer for Sukumar's films such as "100% Love" (2011) and "" (2014) helmed the project. The film was theatrically released on 5 March 2021. It was later released on the streaming  platform Aha on 25 May 2021. Reception. Venkata Chari of "HMTV" appreciated Jakka's direction and his handling of the cross-time concept, stating: "This is a film that would thrill the audience." He opined that the film could have been better had the loop-holes been addressed. Surya Prakash of "Asianet News" rated the film 2.75/5 also echoed the same and lauded the novel attempt. He compared the film with the 2016 South Korean TV series "Signal" but added that Jakka adapted the script to Telugu nativity with more emotion and drama. A reviewer of "Zee Cinemalu" rated the  film 2.5 out of 5 and opined that the casting could've been better. "Ananya was decent but none of the other actors could do justice for their characters," they added. "123Telugu.com" also rated it 2.5/5 and concluded: "On the whole, Play Back is a family thriller that has a fresh concept that deals with a cross-time telephone conversation. Though the movie has a few interesting moments here and there, lack of proper narration in the second half comes as a speed breaker."