Critics Review
1.50
Varma doesn't has intensity or soul of the original
While I could attribute disinterest on the part of Bala for most of the movie and did not mind going through the movie as a lazy watch, I really lost it during the climax that had a bunch of people in a park clap as Varmaa and Megha were engaged in a liplock! The only reason I could fathom was Bala and his unit were so happy that they were finally done with this! It certainly would have been a tough call for those concerned to have pulled this version back from a theatrical release and go for a reshoot with a different team. But from the version of Varmaa that has been released, the decision does make sense.(more)
Source: Bharath Vijayakumar, MovieCrow
3.00
Bala's bold interpretation of Arjun Reddy
"Bala's Cut" makes you realise this whole suffering phase in his life could be avoided, only if he had a little patience. And that's an anti-Arjun Reddy thought. The cult around the character may shatter if people see him just as a deeply flawed man with undesirable habits, instead of a complex man who deserves your love and compassion, despite having cracked a few bones in your body.(more)
Source: Manoj K Kumar, Indian Express
1.00
The insipid ghost of Arjun Reddy
Varmaa is not rooted anywhere. The milieu does nothing for the film. Varma's pain, which is what made Arjun Reddy intense, is heavily diluted. In fact, for the most part, he is just your average alcoholic, only too pampered. Arjun Reddy made me angry. It was a disagreeable film. Varmaa was just an insipid one, something that Bala will be glad to put behind him. So will all of us. (more)
Source: Ranjani Krishnakumar, Firstpost.com
1.00
Dhruv Vikram Stars In Bala's Completely Uninvolving Remake Of Arjun Reddy
Not a single frame is distinctive, or shows that a major filmmaker is behind the camera. You get the feeling Bala was forced to direct this with his hands tied. (more)
Source: Baradwaj Rangan, Filmcompanion.in
1.00
Bala's version is shorter and an insipid remake
The one common denominator in all the retellings of that film is the opening card which begins with: "No birds, animals were harmed during the making." It should ideally read as: "No birds, animals were harmed - only humans, particularly women, and film journalists."(more)
Source: Srivatsan, The Hindu
2.00
Bala's Varmaa gets Arjun Reddy all wrong
Varmaa comes across as old-fashioned and even crass at times. It gets Arjun Reddy all wrong and the casting is way off the mark. Already let down by the writing, the actors hardly manage to breathe life into their characters. Megha Chowdhury is entirely miscast and there is zero chemistry between her and Dhruv.(more)
Source: M Suganth, Times Of India