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Plot summary

Radha (2017) Plot Summary & Timeline

Radha (2017) movie poster

Radha is a 2017 romance and comedy film directed by Chandra Mohan Chintada, running 2 hours 8 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 239 words (about 1 minute to read) and covers 13 key events in order, 6 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Radha.

to read the plot summary
1 min
key events in the timeline
13
characters profiled
6
themes explained
3
Radha (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 8m
Genres
Romance, Comedy, Action
Original language
Telugu
No spoilers

What Is Radha About?

The premise of Radha in 265 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a world where mythic devotion meets modern law‑enforcement, Radha Krishna carries a childhood vision of destiny forged by a secretive encounter with Lord Krishna. His reverence for the deity’s sense of dharma drives him to chase a uniform, believing that the truest protection of the innocent lies in the badge. After earning a coveted police posting through an unlikely break‑in with a criminal gang, he moves from the serene outskirts of Warangal to the bustling streets of Hyderabad, a city humming with political ambition and hidden currents.

The transition places him in a landscape that is both vibrant and volatile, where the promise of a quiet village assignment quickly fades under the weight of real‑world responsibility. Amid the heat of the old city, he meets Radha, a spirited woman whose presence adds a personal yearning to his already fervent quest. Their budding connection fuels his resolve, as he balances the disciplined rigors of police training with an inner yearning to prove himself worthy of the divine exemplar he admires.

When a sudden bomb explosion rattles a political rally, the incident thrusts Radha Krishna into a maze of intrigue that feels far larger than any single crime scene. The investigation opens a layered tableau of power plays, whispers of betrayal, and the ever‑present question of who truly controls the city’s fate. As he navigates this complex web, his journey is less about the blast itself and more about the clash between his idealistic devotion and the gritty realities of justice, promising a tension‑filled exploration of faith, duty, and the elusive line between heroism and myth.

Full plot

What Happens in Radha?

The complete story of Radha, from the first scene to the last, in 239 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

Radha Krishna grows up idolizing Lord Krishna, soaking up tales of dharma and fearless protection. He believes that the best way to help people is to become a police officer, following Krishna’s example.

After finishing his studies, he helps the police crack a gang and earns a police post with special permission. He completes his training in Hyderabad and is posted to a small village in the Warangal district, known for a 0% crime rate. At first, the quiet assignment leaves him craving more action, until he meets Radha, a woman in the old city, and he sets out to win her heart.

In the political arena, the Home Minister, Ashish Vidhyarthi, aims to become Chief Minister, while the current Chief Minister, Kota Srinivasa Rao, keeps a wary eye on party dynamics. The party observer declares MLA Sujatha as the candidate for Chief Minister. Soon, bomb blasts strike during Sujatha’s campaign, and Radha Krishna loses colleagues and vows to uncover who is behind the attack.

As Radha Krishna’s actions grow unpredictable, Sujatha’s henchmen reveal that he is aware of Sujatha’s schemes. After a blend of tense confrontations and lighthearted moments, Radha Krishna exposes Sujatha’s true nature in a public setting. The ensuing stampede leads to Sujatha’s death, and the film closes with Radha Krishna delivering a message that the police protect society much like the god he admires. The story ends with Radha Krishna being reassigned to another post.

Timeline

Radha Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

13 key events in the order they happen, from “Young Radha Krishna's Krishna-inspired dream” to “New assignment and open path”. 13 events name a place, across 12 locations.

  1. 1

    Young Radha Krishna's Krishna-inspired dream

    Radha Krishna grows up idolizing Lord Krishna and absorbing stories of dharma from his upbringing. He eagerly consumes tales of protection and justice, which shapes his worldview. He decides that he can help people in need by becoming a police officer, just like the mythic hero.

    When:Childhood Where:Village

  2. 2

    Becoming a police officer

    After completing his studies, Radha Krishna helps the police bust a gang, earning a police job with special permission. This early act confirms his commitment to uphold dharma through law and order. He steps into service with a sense of purpose.

    When:Early career Where:City / Police Station

  3. 3

    Hyderabad training and Warangal posting

    Radha Krishna completes his training in Hyderabad and is posted to a small village in the Warangal district with a 0% crime rate. He initially feels frustrated by the lack of adventure he had dreamed of. Yet the quiet posting sets the stage for the personal and political storms to come.

    When:Post-training Where:Warangal district village

  4. 4

    Unhappiness and romance

    In the village, he feels unhappy about the dull assignment but soon spots a girl named Radha and tries to win her heart. His growing romantic interest runs parallel to his professional duties. The contrast between his fantasies of action and the routine patrols becomes a running thread.

    When:Early career in village Where:Warangal district village

  5. 5

    Political tremors begin

    Meanwhile, the home minister aims to become chief minister and pressures the party observer and the current CM. The party observer backs an honest MLA Sujatha as CM candidate, setting up a political showdown. The tension hints at corruption and manipulation behind the scenes.

    When:Pre-campaign Where:State capital / party headquarters

  6. 6

    Transfer to Hyderabad's old city

    Radha Krishna is transferred to Hyderabad's old city, stepping into a more dangerous political and crime landscape. The move places him closer to the mounting tensions around Sujatha's campaign. He begins to see that his policing duties will collide with high-stakes politics.

    When:Transfer to Hyderabad Where:Hyderabad old city

  7. 7

    Bomb blasts during the campaign

    Bomb blasts erupt during Sujatha's election campaign, killing Radha Krishna's colleagues and leaving him vowing revenge. He promises to take responsibility and bring those responsible to justice. The violence marks a turning point that pulls him deeper into the political maze.

    When:Campaign period Where:Hyderabad campaign venue

  8. 8

    Sujatha's plan revealed

    It is revealed that Sujatha orchestrated the bomb blasts to gain sympathy and climb to power. This revelation exposes his true nature to the public and heightens Radha Krishna's resolve. The moment shifts the film from mystery to a direct confrontation.

    When:After bomb investigation Where:State capital political arena

  9. 9

    Suspicion leading to security role

    Sujatha, suspicious of Radha Krishna's unpredictable actions, promotes him to his personal security detail. This appointment puts Radha in closer contact with the dangerous political web and complicates his loyalties. He must navigate duty, suspicion, and growing moral questions.

    When:Post-promotion Where:Party HQ / Security detail

  10. 10

    Confrontations and revelations

    Henchmen confront Radha Krishna with this knowledge, leading to a tense chase and several skirmishes. He uses the badge of truth to publicly expose Sujatha's deceit. The crowd's response and the ensuing chaos push the conflict toward its climax.

    When:Climax build-up Where:Public space in city

Show the other 3 events of Radha
  1. 11

    Public exposure and downfall

    Radha Krishna exposes Sujatha's true nature in public, and the scheming politician dies during a stampede caused by the crowd. The public backlash restores faith in the police and in Radha's resolve. His actions cement the message that truth and justice prevail.

    When:Climax Where:Public square / city streets

  2. 12

    Final message from the police

    Radha Krishna delivers a final message about the police protecting the good in society, echoing the legend of Krishna. The speech reinforces that law enforcement should be respected as guardians of dharma. The moment blends mythic metaphor with contemporary justice.

    When:Ending Where:State / nationwide broadcast

  3. 13

    New assignment and open path

    The film ends with Radha Krishna being transferred to another place, suggesting new adventures ahead. The story closes on a note of continued service and renewal, leaving his journey open. The audience is left with the sense that his mission to protect will continue elsewhere.

    When:Ending Where:New assignment location

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Radha?

6 characters, among them Radha Krishna (Sharwanand), MLA Sujatha (Ravi Kishan) and Radha (Lavanya Tripathi): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • RK

    Radha Krishna (Sharwanand)

    Played by Sharwanand

    An idealistic police officer inspired by Krishna, who moves from a village post in Warangal district to Hyderabad’s old city, choosing to fight crime and injustice. He grows from longing for adventure into a determined defender of the public, and he pursues a romantic interest in Radha along the way.

    • 💼 Police
    • 🗺️ Hero
    • 🕊️ Duty
  • MS

    MLA Sujatha (Ravi Kishan)

    Played by Ravi Kishan

    A powerful political figure who orchestrates bomb blasts to gain sympathy and climb to Chief Minister, revealing a ruthless, self-serving side. His plans are exposed, and he dies in a stampede, marking the collapse of his scheme.

    • 🏛️ Politics
    • 🗡️ Corruption
  • R(

    Radha (Lavanya Tripathi)

    Played by Lavanya Tripathi

    A girl in Radha Krishna’s circle who captures his attention and motivates him to pursue justice beyond crime-fighting. She represents a personal stake for the hero amid political storms.

    • 💖 Love Interest
    • 🌟 Support
  • Kota Srinivasa Rao as Chief Minister (Kota Srinivasa Rao) in Radha

    Chief Minister (Kota Srinivasa Rao)

    Played by Kota Srinivasa Rao

    The state's chief executive figure surrounded by party observers and political scheming, illustrating the bureaucratic pressure and power plays that frame the plot.

    • 🏛️ Leadership
    • 📈 Power
  • Ashish Vidhyarthi as Home Minister (Ashish Vidhyarthi) in Radha

    Home Minister (Ashish Vidhyarthi)

    Played by Ashish Vidhyarthi

    A senior political actor who attempts to ascend to Chief Minister by manipulating party dynamics, embodying the methods of political ambition.

    • 🏢 Ambition
    • 🎭 Manipulation
  • Tanikella Bharani as Radhakrishnan's Father (Tanikella Bharani) in Radha

    Radhakrishnan's Father (Tanikella Bharani)

    Played by Tanikella Bharani

    Radhakrishnan’s father, mentioned as a family figure in the film; the summary does not detail his actions within the plot.

    • 👪 Family
    • 🧭 Guidance
Setting

Where and When Is Radha Set?

Radha is set in Hyderabad and Warangal district (Present day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

Present day

Set in contemporary Telangana, the narrative follows modern police work, political campaigns, and mass messaging. It depicts current issues like corruption, election manipulation, and security threats. The events unfold in a time where media coverage and public opinion influence political power.

Where

Hyderabad, Warangal district

The story sprawls between the old city of Hyderabad and a small, low-crime village in Warangal district. Hyderabad provides the urban backdrop for political intrigue, media attention, and high-stakes confrontations. Warangal district offers a quieter setting that contrasts with the explosive events in the capital. The blend of these places anchors the hero's journey from local policing to metropolitan confrontations.

  • 🏙️ Hyderabad
  • 🌆 Old City
  • 🏞️ Warangal district
Themes

What Are the Themes of Radha?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Duty & Justice, Politics & Manipulation and Heroism & Dharma.

  1. 01

    Duty & Justice

    Radha Krishna embodies a policeman’s duty to protect the vulnerable and uphold the law. The film frames justice as a personal calling that goes beyond political convenience. It contrasts sincere police work with the opportunistic schemes of power. Through action and resolve, the story asserts that protecting society is the core of true dharma.

  2. 02

    Politics & Manipulation

    The Home Minister's ambition and MLA Sujatha's manipulation reveal how political power can be manufactured through fear and spectacle. The bomb blasts are used as a tool to gain sympathy and election leverage. The narrative exposes hypocrisy among leaders who bend truth for personal gain. Ultimately, truth surfaces as the protagonist confronts corrupt plans in public.

  3. 03

    Heroism & Dharma

    Radha Krishna channels a mythic sense of dharma, inspired by Krishna as a protector of the weak. His police role becomes a modern vehicle for defending the public good rather than personal glory. The story casts the hero as a symbol of accountability who confronts powerful men who corrupt the system. The ending reinforces the message that true heroes serve society and earn respect through deeds.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Radha?

Tense in tone, with variable pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Tense
Pacing
Variable
Story
Straightforward
Intensity
Medium
Ending
Happy

A film that shifts between a lighthearted romantic pursuit and a tense crime thriller, driven by a protagonist's faith-fueled determination to expose corruption, culminating in a chaotic but ultimately hopeful resolution.

  • tense
  • romantic
  • hopeful
  • unpredictable
  • determined
  • police investigation
  • political corruption
  • revenge
  • faith and duty
  • bomb blast

Content notes: bomb explosion, political violence.

Quiz

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Where to watch

Where to Watch Radha

Stream it on Sun Nxt. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

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FAQ

Radha Plot Questions

5 quick answers about Radha, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Radha about?

In a world where mythic devotion meets modern law‑enforcement, Radha Krishna carries a childhood vision of destiny forged by a secretive encounter with Lord Krishna.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Radha take place?

Radha is set in Hyderabad and Warangal district (Present day). Set in contemporary Telangana, the narrative follows modern police work, political campaigns, and mass messaging. It depicts current issues like corruption, election manipulation, and security threats.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Radha?

The story follows Radha Krishna (Sharwanand) (played by Sharwanand), MLA Sujatha (Ravi Kishan) (played by Ravi Kishan), Radha (Lavanya Tripathi) (played by Lavanya Tripathi) and Chief Minister (Kota Srinivasa Rao) (played by Kota Srinivasa Rao); the character guide covers 6 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Radha?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Duty & Justice, Politics & Manipulation and Heroism & Dharma.

The themes explained

Who directed Radha?

Radha (2017) was directed by Chandra Mohan Chintada and runs 2 hours 8 minutes.

Chandra Mohan Chintada’s films

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