After hits like Chitram and Nuvvu Nenu, Telugu filmmaker Teja reunites with his favourite hero Uday Kiron in Avunnana Kadanna.

But chances of the highly predictable love story turning out to be a big winner are remote.

A village backdrop, and the lovers' struggle to wage a war against a dreaded antagonist, not to mention a tame resolution, remind you of Teja's earlier blockbuster, Jayam.

Despite hitting a lean patch, the promising filmmaker is reluctant to discover a sensible plot and keeps reverting back to family opposition as the conflict point.

His last release, Dhairyam, had to bite the dust due to lack of novelty. In Avunnana Kadanna, Teja again banks on a dreaded grandfather to drive a wedge between the young lovers.

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Among the lead actors, Sada performs better than Uday Kiron in emotional scenes.

Kiron, who began his career with a hat-trick of hits, has had to contend with flops like Holi and Sriram. He was probably banking on this rustic love story to come back into the limelight, but the chances look bleak. He dances and fights well, but is yet to master acting.

The pretty Sada, another Teja discovery, after arriving with a bang in Jayam, has had no hits lately, despite a few releases like Pranam and Naaga.

She believed her village girl role could recreate the Jayam magic, but similarities even in the content could puncture her dreams.

Pilla Prasad looks menacing as the ruthless feudal lord but occasionally goes overboard. Comedian Dharmavarapu Subramanyam is the one who holds the interest with his punchlines, while Duvasi and Shetty evoke a few laughs.

Composer R P Patnaik, who had a dream innings with Teja, returns to music after failing to impress as an actor. Gudi gantala has a nice melody while the rest are foot-tapping folk numbers.