Kishkindhapuri Movie Review

Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas is back with the horror thriller Kishkindhapuri, directed by Koushik Pegallapati. After their pairing in Rakshashudu, actress Anupama Parameswaran once again joins him on screen. The film, which explores the horror genre with a refreshing setup, has finally hit theaters. Let’s dive into the Kishkindhapuri review, covering story, performances, highlights, drawbacks, technical aspects, and the final verdict.

Synopsis:

Raghav (Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas) and Mythili (Anupama Parameswaran) work at a company that organizes ghost-walking tours in the mysterious town of Kishkindhapuri. Apart from being colleagues, they are also lovers.

During one such tour, they take a group to an abandoned radio station named Suvarnamaya. To everyone’s shock, an antique radio suddenly comes alive, creating chaos. While Raghav senses a supernatural force and manages to save the visitors, the nightmare doesn’t end there.

Soon after, each visitor who entered the station begins dying mysteriously. Who is behind these deaths? What’s the dark secret of Suvarnamaya? Can Raghav and Mythili solve the mystery and escape the curse? The movie unravels these answers.

Performances:

Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas shows visible improvement, shouldering the film with a sincere performance.

Anupama Parameswaran impresses with strong screen presence, especially in the hospital sequence.

The antagonist’s role is well-written and impactful.

Plus Points

Authentic Horror Atmosphere: The makers succeed in building a genuinely spooky vibe, which is the soul of a horror film.

Focused Storytelling: Director Koushik Pegallapati avoids unnecessary comedy or forced songs in the middle portions, sticking to the horror core.

Well-Executed Jump Scares: The chilling moments land effectively, sometimes even without depending on loud background scores.

Fresh Premise: The idea of a ghost-walking tour adds uniqueness to the storyline.

Minus Points

Rushed Narration: In an attempt to keep the runtime crisp, some key revelations feel hurried. The film leaves you wishing it had been slightly longer.

Slow Start: The initial few minutes are ordinary before the main plot kicks in.

Emotional Disconnect: The climax and intrapersonal conflict of the protagonist are interesting ideas but lack emotional depth, preventing a stronger impact.

Technical Aspects

Music & Sound Design: Chaitan Bharadwaj’s haunting background score, combined with Radhakrishna’s sound effects, enhances the thrills.

Cinematography: Chinmay Salaskar captures shock moments and spooky visuals effectively.

Editing: Sharp and precise, keeping the pace engaging.

Writing & Direction: Koushik Pegallapati, who also penned the script, tweaks the regular horror flashback formula and introduces unexpected twists. While the execution is good, certain rushed portions limit the overall impact.

Verdict

On the whole, Kishkindhapuri is a sincere horror thriller that offers organic scares without diluting the narrative with unnecessary comedy or gimmicks. With strong performances from Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas and Anupama Parameswaran, solid technical work, and engaging twists, the film succeeds in keeping viewers hooked.

However, rushed storytelling, a slightly weak emotional core, and a slow beginning stop it from becoming a standout horror classic. Still, for those who enjoy spooky thrillers with genuine scares, Kishkindhapuri is worth a watch.

 RATING:3/5