“Epic – First Semester”: A Promising But Flawed Coming-of-Age Story?

Aditya Haasan's directorial debut, “Epic, First Semester,” arrives with considerable anticipation, largely due to his previous successes with the nostalgic web series “90s’: A Middle Class Biopic” and the breezy rom-com “Little Hearts.” This film also reunites “Baby” stars Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, adding another layer of expectation. Haasan has already established himself as a promising new voice in Telugu cinema, and with “Epic,” he boldly steps away from familiar mainstream tropes.

The film's tagline, “an unfinished story,” and the “point of view” credit following the director's name signal an ambitious intent to push the boundaries of the traditional coming-of-age narrative. This ambition is evident in the unconventional screenplay, which gives considerable portions of “Epic” a fresh feel. However, this same creative choice also contributes to the film feeling less cinematically engaging and, at times, incomplete.

The issue isn't just the lack of definitive closure but a lingering sense of dissatisfaction for the viewer.

“Epic, First Semester” attempts to capture the complex dilemmas faced by young adults in their early 20s, torn between professional aspirations, financial pressures, and the newfound personal freedom of being away from home. In its effort to reflect these uncertainties, the film occasionally seems as uncertain as its own characters.

Anand Deverakonda, who plays Aditya, the youngest son dreaming of becoming a feature-film director, even expressed his desire for a “better strike rate at the box office,” highlighting the industry pressures faced by actors.

The story follows characters several years after the events of “90s': A Middle Class Biopic,” where the older children of teacher Chandrasekhar (Sivaji) and his wife (Vasuki) are pursuing higher studies.

Aditya, meanwhile, is content in Wanaparthy, Telangana, making short films.

The film's 149-minute runtime explores how these polar-opposite characters navigate life away from home, facing challenges that are far from easy.

While “Epic, First Semester” is praised for its promise and unique approach, it ultimately leaves the audience wanting more, struggling to fully deliver on its innovative premise.

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