Kishkindhapuri Review

Tollywood's action and adventure genre is thriving - action sequences are now common even in films outside the genre. But when it comes to horror, compelling storytelling is rare. In the last five years, only Masooda (2022) and Virupaksha (2023) stood out with strong narratives, while most others fell flat. Amid this drought, the Kishkindhapuri trailer created a lot of buzz as a supernatural horror film. Unfortunately, the actual movie falls short of the expectations set.

Raghava (Bellamkonda Sreenivas) and Mythili (Anupama Parameswaran) are a loving couple running a business called Ghost Walking Tour in the town of Kishkindhapuri. They trick customers by setting up fake ghostly experiences in haunted places, making the customers believe that they are experiencing real spirits. But when the couple visit a place called Suvarna Maya Radio Station, they actually encounter a real spirit - and soon after, mysterious deaths start happening.

Like most Tollywood movies, this one also starts off well. The portions showing fake ghost tours are executed with humour and relatability. Staging fake hauntings to lure customers is fun and relatable, especially because many Indian towns have stories about haunted places that attract visitors despite police warnings. These scenes deliver some genuine laughs.

However, the film derails once the real spirit arrives. The sequences from the spirit's entry onwards feel artificial, unrelatable and lazily put together. The sloppiness in execution is hard to miss. When the camera pans to the sky, CGI birds awkwardly flap their feathers, and fake-looking monkeys and moths stand out even more. A little extra effort to use real footage would have made these scenes far more convincing. Similarly, the VFX used for the ghost rituals and supernatural acts too feel over-the-top and ridiculous, making it harder for you to stay immersed.

Also, even with a runtime of just two hours, the movie feels dragged out for several reasons - the story could have been tighter and more engaging if trimmed by about 30 minutes, with fewer VFX-heavy scenes and more care in execution.

There are several narrative flaws, but three stand out. First, the film begins with an extended monkey rescue sequence that has no connection to the rest of the story. It is just a setup to showcase the hero's superhuman abilities - a common trope in Telugu films. Second, a scene where the hero interrogates workers at a gas factory involves unnecessary rough violence instead of a simple conversation. Third, the hero's climb up a radio tower includes unrealistic stunts with no purpose.

With a bit more restraint, tighter editing, and fresher ideas instead of recycled tropes, the movie could have delivered an effective thriller with some genuine chills. Unfortunately, it fails to offer a satisfying experience. There are a couple of jumpscares, but they rely more on physical shocks than psychological fear. Overall, the film comes across as an overindulgent showcase of cinematic craftsmanship.

That said, the performances across the cast are a highlight. Sandy stands out the most. Coming off his role as the antagonist in Kotha Lokah, he delivers another strong performance as a revenge-seeking spirit. He effectively portrays an abused, physically deformed man who was gassed to death, as well as the spirit that haunts the story.

Bellamkonda Sreenivas and Anupama Parameswaran also do well. Some scenes border on exaggeration, possibly due to weak direction, but the two actors bring sincerity to their roles. Parameswaran's screen presence is particularly impressive - she looks both beautiful and terrifying when the role demands it.

Technically, the cinematography is functional, but the artificial VFX treatment makes the visuals feel weak. On the other hand, the art direction stands out, especially in the realistic recreation of the 1980s radio station and some haunted places.

Chaitan Bharadwaj's background score adds to the mood, though the songs feel like filler tracks without much purpose.

In conclusion, Kishkindhapuri scares you not with its horror elements, but with its poor execution, unnecessary scenes and lack of focus. Expect it to hit OTT sooner than you would think.