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.