Guna 369 movie review highlights: Karthikeya's film has a first half that falters

After the blockbuster RX 100 and the disastrous Hippi, Karthikeya returns with Arjun Jandhyala's Guna 369.

Guna ( Kartikeya ) is a happy-go-lucky guy who's pampered beyond belief by his family. He works at a granite factory and his favourite pass times include spending time with his best friend (Mahesh) and stalking Geetha (Anagha).

Geetha is his new neighbour who doesn't take kindly to eve-teasing but begrudgingly falls in love with a man who takes her pictures without her consent. While enough time is spent on their love story, there's really not much depth to it.

There are also side tracks involving a local goonda called Radha, whom Guna knows since childhood. Radha almost seems like an urban legend because everyone seems to shake at the mention of his name but no one seems to recognise him when he's out in public. There are also a group of youngsters who seem harmless on the surface but indulge in nefarious deeds. The way and reason Guna comes in contact with one of these youngsters is anything but organic story-telling.

While Karthikeya does his best to pour life into the titular character, sometimes even going over-the-top, he is plain okay. Anagha on the other hand does a good job with what she's offered. With a long, winding, faltering road finally leading to the 'interval bang' which kind of fizzles, it remains to be seen if the second half will fare any better.