The film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna and Mohini, with Amrish Puri, Tinnu Anand, Suthi Velu, Master Tarun, Chandra Mohan, and Silk Smitha in supporting roles.

The historical segments are set during the reign of Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya (r. 1509–1529), while the futuristic elements were researched by the director at the American Library in Madras.

Meanwhile, Raja Varma, a notorious art thief, targets the 16th-century diamond from the Vijayanagara Empire housed at the Salar Jung Museum.

During a school excursion, a mischievous boy named Kishore witnesses the theft, carried out by Raja Varma's accomplices Vasu and Dasu.

In an attempt to rescue them, Krishna Kumar and Hema accidentally get caught in the machine, along with a police constable chasing a petty thief.

Krishna Kumar rescues them and confronts Raja Varma in a fight that leads to a showdown at a hilltop, where the time machine explodes.

The concept for Aditya 369 was inspired by H. G. Wells' novella The Time Machine (1895), which director Singeetam Srinivasa Rao had read during his student years.

[3][4] The idea of time travel intrigued Srinivasa Rao, and he developed a script to adapt the theme for the Telugu audience, focusing on its implications.

[3] Though often compared to Back to the Future, Srinivasa Rao clarified that Aditya 369 was not inspired by it,[6] and observers have noted that the similarities between the two stop "with the trouble that the protagonist faces in a different time zone".

[7] The initial concept for the segment set in the era of Sri Krishnadevaraya focused on the political dynamics among the Ashtadiggajas, the eight renowned poets in his court.

[8][9] During a flight between Bangalore and Madras, director Singeetam Srinivasa Rao shared the storyline of the film with singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, explaining its time travel theme and focus on the era of Sri Krishnadevaraya.

While the plot of Aditya 369 was entirely distinct from these films, the references helped Krishna Prasad understand the concept of time travel, which he was not previously familiar with.

[11] After grasping the concept, Krishna Prasad had concerns about the challenge of creating a film based on such an unexplored idea in Indian cinema.

[11] Balakrishna immediately agreed after hearing the story and was eager to portray a character previously played by his father, N. T. Rama Rao.

[15] Amrish Puri was cast as the primary antagonist, while Suthi Velu, Chandra Mohan, Silk Smita, and child actors Tarun and Raasi appeared in supporting roles.

The sets constructed at Annapurna Studios and the concept of the time machine had already captured public interest, prompting distributors to cover the additional expenses.

[14] Producer Sivalenka Krishnaprasad, aiming to enhance Aditya 369's visibility, requested Chiranjeevi's participation in the film's promotional campaign.

[4] It received positive reviews, with commendation for its technical aspects, music, cinematography, visual effects, production design, and performances by the cast.

[18][22] In a retrospective review, Gudipoodi Srihari describes Aditya 369 as "an interesting and entertaining film" that blends science fiction with history, praising its performances, music, cinematography, and technical strengths.

[23] In 2020, Balakrishna Ganeshan of The News Minute wrote, "The film is considered to be a masterpiece because it perfectly blended the genre of sci-fi and drama with the mainstream template of songs and fight sequences to make it an entertaining watch.

[27] The film portrays the Vijayanagara Empire under Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya in an idealized light, showcasing a society where the streets are filled with pearls and diamonds, and theft is unheard of.

Krishna Kumar's casual explanations of modern concepts to people of the past serve as playful critiques of historical structures.

Nuclear radiation has rendered the surface of the planet uninhabitable, forcing humanity to live underground in hermetically sealed structures.

[28] Advanced technology helps people adapt to this harsh reality, with devices such as "stomach computers" that notify individuals when to eat, machines that interpret thoughts, and "Dragon Walk," a precursor to modern music-streaming platforms.

[28] The film adopts a light-hearted and adventurous approach to time travel, with characters interacting with historical figures without concern for altering the past.

"[26] At its core, Aditya 369 follows the classic hero's journey, with Krishna Kumar overcoming various challenges to thwart the villain, Raja Varma.

[26] The diamond serves as a central element connecting the past, present, and future timelines, playing a crucial role in the plot across all three eras.

[23] Aditya 369 is regarded as an influential film in the science fiction genre within Telugu and Indian cinema,[2] pioneering time travel-themed storytelling in the country.

[29][30] Similarly, director Venkatesh Maha has expressed admiration for the film, describing it, along with Bhairava Dweepam, as a "courageous" effort for its time.

[33][34] Director Raghavendra Varma Indukuri of Bombhaat (2020) also credited Aditya 369 as a key inspiration for making an accessible and entertaining science fiction film.