Newton's 3rd Law: Is Sumanth's Telugu Crime Thriller Worth Watching?
In short: Newton's 3rd Law is a Telugu crime thriller written and directed by Rajesh Karna, starring Sumanth as an investigator and Jagapathi Babu. It uses "every action has an equal and opposite reaction" as a metaphor for karma. Released in cinemas on July 31, 2026, it has streamed on Netflix since August 28 in five languages. Reviews were mixed (around 2.5 out of 5): a strong idea and a gripping second half, but a slow first hour.
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- Released: July 31, 2026, in cinemas.
- Streaming: Netflix from August 28, 2026, in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.
- Writer and director: Rajesh Karna.
- Cast: Sumanth and Jagapathi Babu.
What it's about
Sumanth plays a methodical investigator looking into a death that turns out to be linked to older crimes. As he digs, the film builds a chain of actions and consequences, each wrong producing its reaction, which is where the title's physics comes in. Jagapathi Babu brings his usual menace to a key role.
What critics said
Most reviews landed around 2 to 2.5 out of 5. Critics agreed that Sumanth suits the role and that the second half, when the victims' backstories and the antagonist come into focus, delivers the real thrills. The main complaint is a first hour that circles the same ground. M9 summed it up as "decent for OTT, passable theatrically."
Should you watch it?
As a streaming watch, yes, if you enjoy Telugu investigative thrillers like HIT: The First Case or Evaru and can be patient with a slow start. If you want a tighter thriller, those two are the better bets.
Frequently asked questions
Who directed Newton's 3rd Law? Rajesh Karna wrote and directed it. Sumanth and Jagapathi Babu lead the cast.
Is Newton's 3rd Law good? Reviews were mixed. 123telugu rated it 2.5 out of 5 and M9 2.25, calling it decent for streaming. Critics liked Sumanth and the second half but found the first hour slow.
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