Kishkindhapuri Review: Effort Present, Impact Absent

BOTTOM LINE
Effort Present, Impact Absent

RATING
2.5/5

CENSOR
A, 2h 5m

What Is the Film About?

Raghu aka Raghava (Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas) and Maithili (Anupama Parameshwaran), along with a friend, run a Ghost Walking Tour in Kishkindhapuri. The idea is that the visitors select a haunted location to experience the chill and horror of ghosts’ presence. Its scares are all a setup by the team.

What happens when the guests accidentally pick a haunted house location with an actual ghost, called Suvarnamaya Radio Station? What’s the story behind it, and how the crew and guests escape the ghost’s wrath, which is on a killing spree, is the movie’s basic plot.

Performances

Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas picks a different role after his last outing in Bhairavam. The styling is different, and it offers him scope in a few scenes to perform and show skills that are not seen previously.

A long single-take dialogue sequence towards the end easily stands out. And there are a couple more emotional sequences where the actor gets an opportunity to show his dramatic side. He is alright.

Anupama Parameshwaran, who was last seen in women-oriented Parada, is seen in a commercial outing in the horror genre here. For almost three-fourths of the movie, the role comes across as a typical run-of-the-mill kind. However, it’s during the last half an hour that we understand why she has accepted it.

The sequences are very over the top, and physically, she lacks the impact, but there is definitely an effort from Anupama Parameshwaran’s side. Still, the effect is missing, though.

Analysis

Koushik Pegallapati writes and directs Kishkindhapuri. It’s a horror thriller setup with a unique setting of a radio station as the background.

The movie opens on an intriguing note with the friends getting mysteriously killed. It sets up the narrative perfectly.

What follows next is passable for the rest of the content to take place. The idea of ghost walking tours is different. But, its execution and content don’t excite much. And there is also a familiarity here with a movie using a similar context in Om Bheem Bush. However, it’s when the seriousness of the issue is presented via the killings that things immediately diverge.

The first killing is neatly done, but the second lacks the impact. The third is where one is hooked, and it immediately leads to the pre-interval and the interval portions. The whole block makes one look forward to what happens next, even though the hero’s challenge looks a bit over the top, considering the ghost angle.

The second half maintains the intrigue initially, and the flashback contributes to the effect. Things slowly start to get over the head with new twists and plot elements (ideas) introduced that make the heads turn. What initially looks alright gets into an overdrive mode as the narrative progresses.

The different plot twists placed in the second half post the flashback are alright on paper, but when it comes to the actual presentation, the impact is missing. Also, the narrative lags as new turns are presented going forward.

Even at the end, a new concept related to the divine Trinity is introduced. The idea is interesting, but by the time it occurs and how it ends, one feels tired. A lot seems to happen with things getting stretched on and on. The ending, after all this, lacks the required high and misses the satisfaction.

Overall, Kishkindhapuri has an interesting setup, and it’s enhanced by the antagonist, but the way it’s presented lacks impact, and the twists given take away the horror fun. Watch it if you are die-hard fan of the genre and don’t mind the lag, and have expectations in check.

Performances by Others Actors

There are a few known actors in the movie that register immediately with the Telugu audience, but none have a noticeable role. Sudarshan, Hyper Aadhi, Bhadram, and Srikanth Iyenger belong to the list.

The real deal when it comes to Kishkindhapuri’s supporting cast is the villain essayed by Lokah actor, Sandy. His character is neatly designed, and he excels in the act that requires physical challenge as well. The rest of the cast is okay.

Music and Other Departments?

Chaitan Bhradwaj provides the music. A couple of songs do feel smooth in his usual style, but nothing sticks. The background score is better, no doubt, but it’s within the genre’s terrain and nothing feels surprising.

Technically, the movie is solid except in a few places. The cinematography is good and the editing is decent. The writing could have been stronger, as the sharp and intriguing dialogue is missing. Shine Screens’ production values are impressive for a small film.

Highlights?

Setting

Basic Mystery

Villain Track

Drawbacks?

Concocted Narrative (Too Many Ideas Mixed Together)

Routine Beginning

Overlong Climax

Did I Enjoy It?

Yes, But Expectations Firmly In Check and Keeping The Genre Thrills In Mind

Will You Recommend It?

Yes, But With Huge Reservations

Kishkindhapuri Movie Review by M9