In Draksharama, the story spins around Ramanarayana, Nassar a renowned astrologer who lives with his wife Lakshmi and their son Venkatarathnam. Ramanarayana is adamant about his beliefs, especially when it comes to his daughter's marriage, because he foresees a grim fate: after the birth of a son, tragedy will strike their family. True to his prophecy, Karthik loses his parents in a tragic accident, and Ramanarayana insists that the child will bring misfortune to the clan, suggesting handing him over to his paternal grandparents. Yet Venkatarathnam, Venkatesh — affectionately nicknamed Venky Mama — refuses to abandon Karthik. He chooses love and loyalty, raising the little boy and even sacrificing his own dream of joining the army to provide a steady, nurturing home.
Years roll by, and the narrative pivots to Kashmir, where Venky Mama searches for Karthik, who has left home without word. He ventures into a protected area and faces legal trouble as officers deny any such person exists in their regiment. Undeterred, Venky Mama begins to recount the family saga, anchoring the present-day frame story in the past he shares with the authorities.
As the tale unfolds, Karthik—now an engineer—turns away from foreign job offers, preferring to stay close to his uncle rather than pursue opportunities abroad. His grandfather’s nagging only fuels his resolve to be near Venky Mama. In the village, Karthik crosses paths with Vennela, the newly appointed Hindi teacher, and strives to win her affection, though she initially misreads his intentions. At the same time, Harika, Karthik’s former lover and daughter of the cunning MLA Pasupathi, arrives, triggering a cascade of misunderstandings and tense confrontations. Venky Mama learns of their past romance and pursues Harika to uncover the truth behind their breakup, causing further complications. Through it all, Karthik manages to win over Vennela’s heart, even as Harika comes to realize that Karthik’s priority remains his uncle’s wellbeing and happiness above his own life.
Feeling the need to safeguard his uncle’s happiness, Venky Mama attempts to orchestrate a marriage for Karthik and Vennela. But Pasupathi, a power-hungry MLA, sees an opening to sway a future election and offers political maneuvering instead of genuine support. The plan turns sour when Venky Mama publicly confronts Pasupathi, humiliating him and altering the political dynamics. In a heated turn of events, Pasupathi engineers a deadly scheme to kill Karthik, only to be thwarted when Venky Mama throws himself into the line of fire to shield his nephew.
Three years pass, and Ramanarayana reveals to the audience that Karthik is now in the army, appearing to pursue the family’s long-cherished dream of championing Venky Mama’s ambitions. The present moment finds Venky Mama discovering that Karthik has been taken hostage by terrorists who intend to leverage their dead leader’s cause. Faced with a suicide mission, Venky Mama volunteers to swap places with the captive, fully aware of the danger. In a climactic exchange, Karthik channels duty and loyalty over superstition, firing and misjudging Venky Mama as a potential threat in the moment he believes the mission is a trap. The truth unfolds as Karthik fights to save his uncle and prove that love and family bonds outlive any horoscope’s prediction. In the end, the uncle and nephew are reunited with their respective loves, and the film closes on a hopeful note: while horoscopes may be beliefs, the power of love, loyalty, and family remains a tangible reality.
- Karthik Shivaram, Naga Chaitanya Akkineni — the capable young engineer who prefers staying close to his uncle.
- Venky Mama, Venkatesh — the devoted uncle who raises his sister’s child and faces danger to protect him.
- Ramanarayana, Nassar — the astrologer whose prophecies drive much of the conflict.
- Harika, Raashii Khanna — the fiery former lover who returns to test loyalties.
- Vennela, Payal Rajput — the newly appointed teacher whose feelings become part of the central triangle.
- Pasupathi, Rao Ramesh — the politicized father of Harika, whose ambitions complicate everyone’s lives.
