BOTTOM LINE
Unique Setup, Old-School Execution
RATING
2/5
Story, Screenplay, Director: M.S. Raju
Cast: Kamakshi Bhaskarla, Shravan Reddy, Ulka Gupta, Jovika Vijaykumar, Bhanu Chander, Shiju
Music Director: Rakesh Venkatapuram
DOP: Nani Chamidisetty
Editor: Junaid Siddiqui
Producer: Kasi Visalakshi Balusu
Presented By: Ajay KR
Production Company: Sri Adi Varaha Productions
U.S. Distributor:
Related Links: Trailer
What Is the Film About?
Mahadevi (Kamakshi Bhaskarla) is blessed from childhood to heal people possessed by evil forces and curses. What happens when her family witnesses mysterious deaths one by one? Is anyone behind them?
The movie’s basic plot centres on finding out whether Mahadevi has saved his family from a deadly curse.
Performances
Kamakshi Bhaskarla is the movie’s main lead, playing a healer blessed by the divine. The actress does well in that she is convincing in the part without going overboard anywhere. Most of the time this means staring with eyes wide open and a slightly startled expression. It does the job, and that’s what matters in the end.
Shravan Reddy gets a one-note part. Not that it is any different for others, but here it’s more noticeable because of the loudness during the dramatic moments. There are two different shades to the role, but the subtle one doesn’t get explored much.
Analysis
MS Raju, a veteran producer who later turned director, helms the project. It is a mystic thriller with horror elements thrown in.
As is with many in this genre, the backstory or the setup plays a crucial role in getting the ball rolling. The audience has to be intrigued in the first place. The director succeeds here by choosing a unique and fresh setting.
The problem here, though, is that a lot of time is taken in establishing the world and explaining its mythology. The idea of deceased souls visible among humans, and the healer (or evil forces) seeing and manipulating them (for good or bad), is a fresh one. Also, the ability to go back in time is good. But its presentation lacks the bite or thrill.
After an intriguing beginning, the rest of the first half feels like watching a documentary in which the main character explains what happened before and sets up the later action. A lot of talking happens with very little suspense or thrill.
It’s only towards the interval that some momentum builds, but again, the execution leaves one underwhelmed. The shock value doesn’t come across as intended.
The second half, comparatively speaking, has better flow, even if the content is less. The reveal of Agadha after the buildup is handled decently. The stretch involving the special power and mixing it with events is a good idea. It could have been done more excitingly, though.
The long action stretch that follows gets into a very predictable, dated zone, execution-wise. But it is followed by the climax, which is again decent. One can see Hollywood influence in the idea, but it has been adapted well to the local milieu.
There is also a controversial segment at the beginning of the second half, which is most likely to get ignored as Agadha is a relatively small film. Things like these and a few other moments keep the second half busy, even though it’s mainly about the two key blocks.
More than anything, the biggest issue is the lack of thrill in either the mystic backdrop or in saving the family. The demon details remain sketchy (what it can do, how it’s doing what it’s doing, etc), and we never feel for the family either, even though it is going through harrowing experiences. Everything feels mechanically designed, keeping the setting and theme in mind.
Overall, Agadha, despite its unique setup and potential to thrill, doesn’t quite deliver. It labours to establish the mythos and world, then fails to elevate it with the required scares and highs despite the visible content. Old-fashioned making with no emotional connection makes it a boring watch.
Performances by Other Actors
Ulka Gupta gets an emotional anchor kind of role in the movie. But she doesn’t get enough time or meat to register or create an impact. Jovika Vijaykumar, on the other hand, gets a role that seems important, but is only used as a tool to distract the audience. Whenever things scream boring, the narrative cuts to her as if something’s going to happen.
Senior actor Bhanu Chander is wasted. Shiju has a better role, even though it’s small. The rest of the cast is forgettable, as none of them registers.
Music and Other Departments?
Rakesh Venkatapuram provides the background score. Some parts do give the required old-world-mystical scary feel. But overall, it gives an impression of following the genre’s stock sounds. It’s still fine, but in terms of sound, the narrative could have used more edge and freshness. It’s the same with the cinematography, which gives the movie a tired, dated feel, as if it’s some old movie. The editing also adds to the woes. A smooth follow is missing. The writing is basic for the genre and the setting.
Highlights?
Setup
Mid Portion in Second Half
Climax
BGM (In Parts)
Drawbacks?
Too Much Talk
Old-fashioned Direction
Not Many Thrills
Hardly Any Scares
Long Time To Establish The World
Did I Enjoy It?
No. There were a couple of segments which were alright, but nothing much exciting happens elsewhere.
Will You Recommend It?
No, when it comes to theatrical viewing, as a lot of it might bore and dominate the decent parts. However, non-theatrically it might be a passable watch for the genre lovers who don’t mind the issues.
Agadha Movie Reviewed by Kalyan
