‘Virupaksha’ Review: A gripping horror thriller with a stellar performance by Sai Dharam Tej

Virupaksha is a Telugu horror film that released on April 21, 2023. The film stars Sai Dharam Tej and Samyuktha Menon in the main lead roles. The film is written by Karthik Varma Dandu and has screenplay by Sukumar. The film is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and has music by B. Ajaneesh Loknath.

The film revolves around a mysterious village called Rudravanam, where paranormal activities take place. Sai Dharam Tej plays Surya, a doctor who visits the village with his mother and falls in love with Nandini (Samyuktha Menon), the daughter of the village head. When a series of deaths occur in the village due to black magic, Surya decides to unravel the mystery behind them and save his love.

 

The film is a well-crafted horror thriller that engages the audience with its suspenseful plot and effective narration. The director Karthik Varma Dandu has created a convincing world of Rudravanam with the help of Srinagendra Tangala’s production design and Shamdat Sainudeen’s cinematography with a 1990s setting that adds to the authenticity and atmosphere of the story.

Sai Dharam Tej delivers one of his best performances as Surya, a rational and courageous protagonist who faces supernatural forces with his logic and science. He also shares a good chemistry with Samyuktha Menon, who plays Nandini with grace and charm. Samyuktha Menon also impresses with her expressions and emotions in the scenes where the evil entity possesses her.

The movie also has some notable actors like Rajiv Kanakala, Sai Chand, Brahmaji and Abhinav Gomatam in pivotal roles. They all do justice to their characters and add value to the story.

The movie has some spine-chilling moments that are enhanced by Ajaneesh Loknath’s background score, Navin Nooli’s editing and remarkable sound design. The film does not rely on cheap jump scares or gore, but rather creates fear with its subtle and smart storytelling.

The flick also has some references and homages to some classic horror films like “The Exorcist”, The “Sixth Sense” and “The Conjuring.” The film also has some twists and turns that keep the audience guessing till the end.

It does have some drawbacks, such as the predictable romance between Surya and Nandini, some cliched scenes involving the villagers and their superstitions, and some loose ends in the climax. However, these do not take away much from the overall impact of the film.

Virupaksha is a gripping horror film that invokes fear without the gimmicks. It is a must-watch for horror fans and for those who appreciate good cinema.