Kishkindhapuri Movie Review: Delivers a Haunting Mystery With Heart and Craft

Kishkindhapuri, produced by Sahu Garapati of Shine Screens, hits the screens this Friday. TFN reviews the spooky mystery thriller. Story: Raghava and Mythili work for a local ghost walk tour company. They take enthusiastic tourists to dummy haunted locations and narrate fictional ghost stories. Unexpectedly, they end up taking six tourists to Suvarna Maya, a dangerous place inhabited by a blood-thirty ghost. After a series of mysterious, spine-chilling incidents, Raghava takes it upon himself to find out what the ghost wants and how he can save others and himself from its wrath. A dark backstory holds the key. Analysis: The film, prior to its release, was billed as an edge-of-the-seat horror-thriller with sudden twists and seamless turns. “No looking away, No blinking—125 minutes of nonstop, edge-of-the-seat experience guaranteed”, the makers said. The lead man’s confidence that the audience wouldn’t feel like looking into their smartphones during the movie’s run-time was particularly interesting. Director Koushik Pegallapati teams up with fellow writers Bala Ganesh K and Darahas Palakollu to narrate quite a gripping, nail-biting tale. The first 15 minutes go into establishing the value system of Raghava, played by Sai Srinivas Bellamkonda, who is earnest throughout. His character has to display not just heroism but also compassion, confusion, and puzzlement. After an intensely emotional act in Bhairavam, he is given a layered character here. With his experience spanning more than a decade, the hero delivers and how! Anupama Parameswaran, as the hero’s lover in the story, gets to be a fellow traveller. At one point, she must scare her boyfriend. At other times, she plays his support system. Makrand Deshpande and Tanikella Bharani play serious roles in a film featuring a handful of artists known for comedy roles. From Hyper Aadi to Srikanth Iyengar and Bhadram, from Nellore Sudarshan to a drunkard-widower who sorely misses his dead wife, they have a part in making their tryst with Suvarna Maya unpredictable. Chinmay Salaskar‘s cinematography in this atmospheric horror-thriller enhances mood and tension. His use of muted, desaturated colors creates a suffocating sense of dread that permeates many frames, especially those set indoors. Niranjan Devaramane’s editing is sharp and deliberate, employing a patient rhythm that builds suspense before unleashing cuts during moments of terror. The seamless collaboration between these departments elevates the film beyond a simple scare-fest. The world itself feels real and lived-in, thanks to Manisha A. Dutt’s meticulous production design, which is supported by D Siva Kamesh’s art direction. Their work on the sets—whether a decaying, dust-filled manor or a claustrophobic, dimly lit room—is believable. Chaitan Bharadwaj‘s background score is excellent, particularly in the second hour. Key Highlights: 1. The storyline is commendable. It lets the hero participate in the adventure, the villain to indulge in self-obsession, and the heroine to witness the unfolding terror. 2. The emotional flashback. Some of the beats of this backstory make for a poignant watch. 3. The epilogue hints at a sequel. 4. The film doesn’t excessively rely on jump scares. Rather, it lets the psychological aspects play out. The theme of social isolation is explored through a key character. Verdict: A gripping, atmospheric horror-thriller that prioritizes storytelling over gimmicks, Kishkindhapuri stands out with solid performances, especially from Sai Srinivas Bellamkonda, and a well-crafted mood. Director Koushik Pegallapati delivers on the promise of a suspenseful ride, blending psychological depth with supernatural thrills.