Backed by the blessings of Paderu’s local deity Sri Modakondamma, Padaru 12th Mile is produced by Grandhi Trinadh under the Sai Lakshmi Ganapathi Movie Creations banner. Directed by N.K., the film stars Satyam Rajesh, Shravan, Kalakeya Prabhakar, Mukesh Gupta, and newcomer Suhana as the female lead. Co-produced by Lotheti Krishna, the music is composed by PR, with cinematography by G. Amar and editing by Shiva Sharvani.

The film opens with heroine Suhana hiring a killer to murder someone, creating immediate suspense. Meanwhile, forest range officer Shravan is in search of a mysterious stone known as “Padaru 12th Mile Rayi.” Kalakeya Prabhakar is also on the same mission. Satyam Rajesh appears as a mysterious character who intersects with their journey. What is Suhana’s motive? Will Shravan find the stone? How are these characters connected? These questions form the crux of the story.

The film starts with a mysterious tone set in the backdrop of Paderu. The curiosity builds scene by scene. Suhana performs impressively for a debutante. Satyam Rajesh shines in his role as Kondayya, especially in the last 20 minutes which are gripping and intense. Director N.K.’s screenplay is engaging. Scenes depicting the deity and pre-climax moments remind one of Kodi Ramakrishna’s style seen in Ammoru.

The production values are solid, with no compromises made by producer Grandhi Trinadh. G. Amar’s visuals are visually appealing, PR’s background score is effective, and the editing by Shiva Sharvani is crisp. Songs are decent, and the rural
setting gives the film a fresh vibe. The town of Paderu is captured beautifully.

Verdict:
Director N.K. balances romance, mystery, and fantasy well. The mystery around the “12th Mile Stone” and what lies beneath it keeps the audience engaged. The film also boasts decent graphics towards the end, offering a grand cinematic experience. If you enjoyed films like Ammoru, Anji, or Arundhati, this is definitely a must-watch.