Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, the beloved pair from Baby, reunite for Epic – The First Semester, a warm and deeply personal coming-of-age romance directed by Aditya Hasan. Set against the contrasting backdrops of Wanaparthy and London, the film follows Aditya, a soft-spoken middle-class boy chasing his filmmaking dreams, and Kadali, a bold and independent young woman from Vizag, as their unlikely connection blossoms into something far messier and more real than a typical screen romance. Built as a direct continuation of the popular web series 90’s – A Middle Class Biopic, the film trades grand romantic gestures for something rarer: a relationship that feels genuinely lived-in, stitched together from small, unforgettable moments.
Epic – The First Semester is a tender, nostalgia-soaked love story that finds its magic in the little things — an airport goodbye, a shared song, a quiet father missing his son. Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya bring effortless chemistry to Aditya and Kadali, while Sivaji delivers one of the film’s most moving performances as the emotionally reserved father who slowly learns to let go. Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music threads the entire journey together beautifully, and director Aditya Hasan’s personal touch gives the film an authenticity that’s hard to manufacture. While the middle stretch takes its time settling in, the emotional payoff more than makes up for it, making this one of the most heartfelt young-love dramas of the year.
Cast & Crew
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Aditya | Anand Deverakonda |
| Kadali | Vaishnavi Chaitanya |
| Aditya’s Father | Sivaji |
| Aditya’s Mother | Vasuki |
| Aditya’s Friend | Kalyan Shankar |
| Director & Writer | Aditya Hasan |
| Producers | Suryadevara Naga Vamsi, Sai Soujanya |
| Production Banners | Sithara Entertainments, Fortune Four Cinemas |
| Presented By | Srikara Studios |
| Cinematography | Azeem Mohammad |
| Editing | Navin Nooli |
| Music | Hesham Abdul Wahab |
| Release Date | September 11, 2026 |
| Runtime | Approx. 2h 30m |
Plot Summary
Aditya (Anand Deverakonda) is a gentle, middle-class young man from Wanaparthy who dreams of becoming a filmmaker, even as his family pushes him toward higher studies abroad. He eventually lands in London, where he crosses paths with Kadali (Vaishnavi Chaitanya), a spirited and independent girl from Vizag. What starts as an unusual spark between two very different personalities gradually deepens into a relationship full of affection, friction, and self-discovery. Rather than following a conventional romantic arc, the film unfolds as a series of moments — arguments, silences, songs, and small acts of care — that slowly build into something that feels like real life.
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Performances
Anand Deverakonda steps away from his intense Baby persona and settles into a gentler, more observational register as Aditya. His quieter scenes, especially when he’s simply watching the people around him, carry a lovely sincerity, and his comic timing brings an easy charm to several conversations with Kadali. It’s a performance that leans into vulnerability, and it largely pays off.
Vaishnavi Chaitanya is the film’s standout. She plays Kadali with wonderful unpredictability — affectionate one moment, difficult the next, and vulnerable when it counts — giving the character a contradictory, lived-in quality that keeps every scene she’s in feel alive. Her confidence and chemistry with Anand anchor the entire film.
Sivaji, as Aditya’s father, delivers a beautifully restrained performance. His quiet wandering into his son’s empty room after he leaves for the UK is one of the film’s most affecting images, and his emotional confrontation about money, sacrifice, and the future stands out as a genuine high point of the film.
Vasuki, as Aditya’s mother, brings warmth and quiet strength to her scenes, rounding out a family dynamic that feels authentic and grounded.
Kalyan Shankar, as Aditya’s friend, supplies much of the film’s comic relief with impeccable timing, and impressively manages to pivot one sequence from lighthearted comedy into unexpected emotional depth — a testament to his range.
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Technical Craft
Direction
Aditya Hasan directs with a clearly personal voice, weaving autobiographical touches — from a clapboard labelled “Epic” to a script-in-progress — into Aditya’s journey. His eye for small, specific cultural details, from Tupperware boxes packed with pickles to a family gathered around an old Venkatesh film, gives the world a lived-in authenticity that elevates the entire story.
Cinematography
Azeem Mohammad’s camera captures both the warmth of small-town Wanaparthy and the quiet distance of London with equal sensitivity, letting intimate moments breathe without ever feeling staged.
Music
Hesham Abdul Wahab’s score is one of the film’s greatest strengths. The soundtrack, laced with nostalgic retro touches, finds a natural home within the story itself, most memorably when an old SP Balasubrahmanyam song inspires Aditya and Kadali to compose their own background score together.
Editing
Navin Nooli’s editing captures the film’s leisurely, conversational rhythm, letting relationships unfold at their own pace, though a slightly tighter cut in the middle portion could have sharpened the pacing even further.
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Vaishnavi Chaitanya’s magnetic, unpredictable performance as Kadali
- Sivaji’s quietly powerful turn as the father
- Hesham Abdul Wahab’s evocative, nostalgia-rich music
- Aditya Hasan’s personal, detail-rich direction
- Authentic, intimate moments that feel refreshingly real
Weaknesses:
- The middle portion lingers a little longer than necessary on repeated conversations
- A tighter edit could have given key turning points more weight
- One tonally heightened outburst sequence feels slightly out of step with the film’s gentle register
Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.5/5 Stars
Epic – The First Semester doesn’t try to be a sweeping, larger-than-life romance — and that’s exactly why it works. It finds its beauty in the ordinary: an airport farewell, a shared song, a father’s silent ache. Anchored by outstanding performances from Vaishnavi Chaitanya and Sivaji, and elevated by Hesham Abdul Wahab’s soulful music, this is a warm, deeply felt young-love story that lingers long after the credits roll. A must-watch for anyone who believes love is made of small moments, not grand gestures.
What is the age rating/certification of Epic – The First Semester?
The film has been certified UA by the CBFC, suitable for viewers with parental guidance for those under 12.
Is Epic – The First Semester suitable for family viewing?
Yes, it’s a gentle, emotionally driven love story that families and young audiences can enjoy together, though it does touch on mature relationship themes suited to older teens and adults.
Is Epic – The First Semester based on a true story?
The film isn’t based on a true story, but it draws heavily from writer-director Aditya Hasan’s own personal experiences and is a direct continuation of his web series 90’s – A Middle Class Biopic.
