Newton's Third Law trailer: Sumanth's 1999-set investigative thriller hits screens July 31
Synopsis
Sumanth's Newton's Third Law isn't just another Telugu crime drama — its 1999 setting, a cold-blooded antagonist named Mercury played by Jagapathi Babu, and a morally charged voice-over signal a film with serious investigative ambitions. With Nagarjuna's public endorsement and a 31 July release, it arrives as one of the more intriguing genre entries of the season.
Key Takeaways
The trailer of Newton's Third Law , directed by Rajesh Karna , was released on 26 July ; the film hits theatres on 31 July .
Sumanth plays investigator Vasudev , probing a case that blurs the line between accident and murder in 1999 .
Jagapathi Babu portrays the antagonist Mercury , a ruthless figure at the centre of a series of killings.
Telugu star Nagarjuna endorsed the film by sharing the trailer on X , calling it a story where 'every action has a consequence.' The film is produced by Harish Kohirkar , with music by Sinjith Yerramilli and cinematography by Veda Vyas Gottipati .
The official trailer of the Telugu investigative thriller Newton's Third Law, directed by Rajesh Karna and featuring Sumanth in the lead role, has been released, generating considerable buzz among fans of the genre. The film is set to arrive in theatres on 31 July, and the trailer suggests a taut, period-set crime narrative rooted in the atmosphere of 1999.
What the Trailer Reveals
The trailer opens with a voice-over that sets a morally weighted tone: 'Even now, you have the time to correct the mistakes you did. Not everybody gets that opportunity.' Sumanth plays a character named Vasudev, who is drawn into a murky investigation when a police officer tells him, 'It is an accident case. But we don't know if it is an accident or a murder.' Vasudev's probing question — 'What actually happened last night?' — frames the central mystery.
The trailer also weaves in a subplot involving two college students who are offered ₹20,000 for a 'small job' over a phone call, hinting at the web of complicity that Vasudev must untangle. A menacing figure with a revolver delivers one of the trailer's most striking lines: 'They say that on every grain of rice that is grown, the name of the person who is to consume it, will be written. If that is true, then, the bullets too will have the names of the people they will kill.'
Jagapathi Babu as Mercury
Veteran actor Jagapathi Babu appears as the antagonist, a character named Mercury, shown shooting and killing people with cold precision. His presence adds considerable weight to the film's threat quotient, and the trailer positions him as the primary force that Vasudev's investigation circles around. Whether the series of crimes Mercury commits are connected — and how — forms the dramatic spine of the story.
Nagarjuna Backs the Film on X
Telugu star Nagarjuna shared the trailer on his X (formerly Twitter) timeline, writing, '#Newtons3rdLaw is OUT NOW! Every action has a consequence... so true!! In Theatres from July 31. Watch the trailer now... all the best @iSumanth and team.' The endorsement from a figure of Nagarjuna's stature is expected to amplify the film's visibility ahead of its release.
Cast and Crew
Beyond Sumanth Yarlagadda and Jagapathi Babu, the film features Avasarala Srinivas, Ravi Varma, Shelley N Kumar, Trinadh Varma, Neha Pathan, Pandit Goutham, Harini Rao Gaganam, Rupesh Marrapu, and Abhinayanaa. The film has been produced by Harish Kohirkar, with cinematography by Veda Vyas Gottipati, music by Sinjith Yerramilli, editing by Anil Pasala, and stunt choreography by Wing Chun Anji. With a strong technical team and a period premise, Newton's Third Law will be closely watched as one of the more ambitious Telugu thrillers of the season.
Point of View
But Newton's Third Law stakes a specific claim — the late nineties, a pre-digital investigation, and a villain whose worldview is almost philosophical. The casting of Jagapathi Babu as Mercury is a smart choice; he carries the credibility to make such a character feel dangerous rather than theatrical. What the trailer does not reveal is whether the screenplay can sustain the moral complexity its voice-over promises. Rajesh Karna is a relatively new name at this scale, and the real test will be whether the film's execution matches the atmosphere the trailer has carefully constructed.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Newton's Third Law release in theatres?
Newton's Third Law is scheduled to release in theatres on 31 July. The trailer was unveiled on 26 July, days ahead of the film's opening.
Who plays the lead in Newton's Third Law?
Sumanth plays the lead character Vasudev, an investigator piecing together a series of crimes in 1999. Jagapathi Babu plays the antagonist Mercury.
Who is the director of Newton's Third Law?
Newton's Third Law is written and directed by Rajesh Karna and produced by Harish Kohirkar. The film features cinematography by Veda Vyas Gottipati and music by Sinjith Yerramilli.
Why did Nagarjuna share the Newton's Third Law trailer?
Telugu star Nagarjuna shared the trailer on his X timeline, expressing support for Sumanth and the team. His post described the film's theme — 'every action has a consequence' — and encouraged fans to watch the trailer ahead of the 31 July release.
What is the story of Newton's Third Law?
The film is set in 1999 and follows an investigator named Vasudev who probes a case that may be either an accident or a murder. The investigation leads him toward a dangerous antagonist named Mercury, played by Jagapathi Babu, as he tries to determine whether a series of crimes are connected.
