Avika Gor on 'Ugly Story': Why the film refuses to romanticise toxic love
Synopsis
Avika Gor's Telugu thriller 'Ugly Story' takes a deliberate stand against romanticising toxic love. Rather than glamorising intensity, the film excavates the psychological wreckage such relationships leave behind — a rare stance in an industry where on-screen toxicity is routinely dressed up as passion.
Key Takeaways
Avika Gor stars in the Telugu romantic thriller 'Ugly Story' , releasing 22 May .
The film deliberately avoids glamorising toxic relationships, focusing instead on their emotional and psychological damage.
Gor emphasised the distinction between passion and toxicity: "We're not trying to make toxicity look desirable, we're trying to show what it actually does to a person." Directed by Pranav Swaroop , the cast also includes Pragya Nayan and Ravi Teja Mahadasyam .
The production prioritises honesty in storytelling, stripping away the veneer often associated with on-screen toxic romance.
Actress Avika Gor has opened up about the storytelling philosophy behind her Telugu romantic thriller 'Ugly Story', emphasising that the film deliberately avoids glamorising toxic relationships. Speaking ahead of the film's release on 22 May, the 'Balika Vadhu' star stressed that this is not a love story designed to be idolised by audiences.
The Line Between Passion and Toxicity
Gor revealed that the creative team was intentional from the outset about maintaining a clear distinction between passionate intensity and emotional harm. "The difference lies in intention," she explained. "We're not trying to make toxicity look desirable, we're trying to show what it actually does to a person." Rather than celebrating the relationship at its core, the film pivots toward exploring its destructive emotional fallout.
Showing the Real Cost
The 'Sasural Simar Ka' actress underscored that the production chose to foreground the psychological damage inflicted by such dynamics. "The discomfort, the confusion, the damage, it's all visible," she noted. "It may seem intense or passionate on the surface, but there's always an underlying truth that this isn't healthy." This approach strips away the veneer often associated with on-screen toxic romance, laying bare the consequences instead.
A Commitment to Honesty
For Gor, the ethical foundation of storytelling rests on truthfulness to the audience. "It's about not lying to your audience. And I don't think this story does that," she said. The film thus positions itself as a counter-narrative to the romanticised portrayals of unhealthy relationships that have long dominated cinema.
Film Details and Release
'Ugly Story' is set to premiere on 22 May. Produced by CH Subhasini and Konda Laxman under Riya Ziya Productions, the film melds an intense love narrative with thriller and suspense elements. Written and directed by Pranav Swaroop, the cast includes Ravi Teja Mahadasyam, Shivaji Raja, and Pragya Nayan in pivotal roles. Cinematography is helmed by Shrie Sai Kumar Dara, with Shravan Bharadwaj composing the music. Srikanth Patnaik and Mithun Soma jointly handled editing, while Vithal Kosanam served as art director.
Point of View
Though the real test lies in execution: whether the film sustains its critique throughout or slips into the very glamorisation it claims to reject. If it holds the line, it could set a template for how Indian cinema handles the aesthetics of unhealthy relationships.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Ugly Story' about?
'Ugly Story' is a Telugu romantic thriller that explores the complexities of love and emotional damage. Rather than romanticising a toxic relationship, the film focuses on its psychological and emotional consequences, showing the discomfort, confusion, and harm it causes.
When will 'Ugly Story' release?
'Ugly Story' is set to release on 22 May. The film is produced by Riya Ziya Productions and directed by Pranav Swaroop.
Why did the filmmakers choose not to glamorise the toxic relationship?
According to Avika Gor, the team was intentional about maintaining a clear distinction between passion and toxicity. The goal was to show what toxicity actually does to a person, rather than making it look desirable. Gor emphasised that the responsibility in storytelling is rooted in honesty to the audience.
Who stars in 'Ugly Story' alongside Avika Gor?
The film features Pragya Nayan, Ravi Teja Mahadasyam, and Shivaji Raja in important roles. The film is directed by Pranav Swaroop and produced under the Riya Ziya Productions banner.
