Gatha Vaibhava X (Twitter) reviews: First half washout, second salvages film to some extent

Director SuNi, known for his simple family entertainers, has not had a great run at the box office with his films, though. Gatha Vaibhava, his latest, is in that zone again, but this time around, he has attempted something a tad more ambitious, with a love story spanning several centuries and involving reincarnation. SuNi introduces Dushyanth as the leading man, pairs him with Ashika Ranganath and gives both 4 characters each, so to say, as they take a trip down ‘memory’ lane into their past lives and explore what doomed their love each time and try to avoid that fate in modern day.

Gatha Vaibhava: The curse of the first half

The film, according to trackers, has not had a great opening and the few reviews that have come in have rather mixed opinions. A few seem to have absolutely loved SuNi’s attempt, but the overwhelming consensus is that the first half of the film is rather unbearable. “1st half devriga?” asked one netizen addressing the filmmaker. “First half is a complete washout; artist dubbing was not good,” wrote another. "First half dead sleep Inna second half ge bandre adkinna swalpa parvagilla aste overall waste of time," was one comment.

“Can’t shake that feeling that SuNi has been punching below potential since Operation Alamelamma,” opined a third. “Pirate and rakshasa vesha Cringe feel aethu, Simple suni lost his track after Avatra pursha 2 ansuthe,” was another opinion. One audience member added, “Suni, nivu experiment badlu nim strong zone(Simple story) alle movies madi ade tumba chenagiratte.”

Also read: Ashika Ranganath on Gatha Vaibhava: My first impression was that SuNi sir was upping his game with the film 

All was not downhill for the team, though, with some viewers appreciating the efforts by leading lady Ashika, as well as the technical team, while Dushyanth received mixed feedback.

FAQs

Q. Who is on the cast of Gatha Vaibhava?

A. Gatha Vaibhava introduces Dushyanth as the lead. He is paired with Ashika Ranganath. The film also stars Kishen Bilagali, Sudha Belawadi, Krishna Hebbale, among others.

Q. When is Gatha Vaibhava releasing?

A. Gatha Vaibhava is in theatres from November 14, 2025. There is no information yet about its post-theatrical satellite and digital rights.