Bhairavam is currently playing in theatres. What is the film all about? What should you expect from it? TFN reviews the Telugu film!
Story:
The story pans out in Devipatnam in Godavari, where a powerful Varahi Amma temple is located. Varadha (Nara Rohith) and Gajapathi Varma (Manchu Manoj) are thick friends, much like their late dads were. Their families are almost like custodians of the temple. When Endowments Minister (Sharath Lohitaswa) discovers that the temple’s properties are worth hundreds of crores, he conspires to drive a wedge between the two friends. How does Seenu (Bellamkonda Sreenivas), an orphan who is loyal to Gajapathi and has emotional ties with Varadha’s family as well, do in this scenario? How does his passive role transform into an active one?
Analysis:
Director Vijay Kanakamedala executes the action thriller enriched with family emotions and themes like enduring friendships and loyalty. The tale is partly inspired by the Mahabharatham. Most of the action films have started to look the same lately under the influence of filmmakers like Prashanth Neel and Lokesh Kanagaraj. As such, village-based action movies involving feuds and friendship have dwindled in quantity. Bhairavam steps away from the recent trends.
The performances are elevated by the traits of the different characters. Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas is the quintessential master-pleasing loyalist. He sports a thick beard and looks natural in the portions where he is possessed by the divine. Manchu Manoj has been away from mainstream roles for many years; Bhairavam is his excellent comeback. His dialogue delivery is heavy in tune with the heavy-duty nature of his layered character. There are no easy qualities you can associate with Varadha. Nara Rohit‘s character comes with dignity, so also his understated acting. Aditi Shankar and Aanandhi have relatively less emotional roles compared to Divya Pillai, who plays Varadha’s wife. Sharath Lohitaswa is joined by the versatile Ajay, whose villainy drives the plot forward.
Sricharan Pakala’s background score offers many highs. He carves a style of his own. The cinematography and other technical departments lend a big-scale feel to Bhairavam.
The film has no familiar plot points, at least not from recent movies. Wedding the friendship saga with a temple land grab element is a wise idea. There are no straightforward situations in this saga. At times, the viewer seems to predict the climax of a scene, only to witness something else play out. The screenplay is gripping, while the song situations are partially unique (partial because two of the songs are in the commercial mold).
Verdict:
Bhairavam stands out as a well-executed action drama thriller that successfully blends family emotions with themes of enduring friendship and loyalty. With strong performances, a unique village-based setting, and a gripping screenplay, it offers a refreshing change from contemporary action films.
