Horror flicks are the coolest and most captivating genres in the movie biz. It's the kind of spine-chilling experience that'll stick with you long after the end credits roll. And the latest Telugu flick, "Virupaksha" is definitely no exception to this rule! Directed by newbie Ramesh Varma, Virupaksha is a supernatural thriller set in the 80s that'll make you pee your pants with fear.

The story takes place in the backwoods village of Rudravanam, where some sinister, unnatural events start going down and a bunch of murders take place, making the locals all convinced that there are some mystical and tantric forces at play. The head priest, played by Sai Chand, does not take any chances and orders the village to self-quarantine until they solve the mystery.

The plot starts getting thicker when this outsider named Surya shows up. He's got some loose family connections to the village, and of course, he falls in love with a local girl named Nandini, played by Samyukta Menon. As the death count rises and gets closer to Surya, he takes it upon himself to solve this supernatural mystery. He's got to figure out who or what is causing the murders and uncover the dark secrets of the seemingly innocent and cheerful village of Rudravanam.

Read our complete Virupaksha movie review to know the complete details

Virupaksha: Cast

The cast of the Telugu supernatural thriller film, "Virupaksha" is a talented and diverse group of actors. Sai Dharam Tej, a popular and versatile actor, portrays the lead character, Surya. He's joined by the talented actress Samyuktha Menon, who plays the role of Nandini, Surya's love interest in the movie. Abhinav Gomatam, Kamal Kamaraju, and Sunil are other supporting actors who deliver commendable performances in the film.

Sai Chand, who plays the role of the head priest, is a veteran actor who brings a lot of depth and nuance to his character. Meanwhile, Brahmanandam and Ajay, who play supporting roles as Aghora, add a touch of humour and intrigue to the storyline. Jhansi, Koushik Mahata, Rajeev Kanakala, and Rajsekhar Aningi are some of the other actors who round out the ensemble cast with their exceptional acting skills.

Overall, the cast of "Virupaksha" works well together, with each actor bringing something unique to the table. Together, they succeed in creating a captivating and thrilling cinematic experience for the audience.

 

Virupaksha: Plot

The supernatural thriller, "Virupaksha" takes place in the quaint village of Rudravanam during the 1990s. The film’s protagonist, Surya, returns to his mother's village to attend the Modamamba Thalli Jatara, a festival that the village is all hyped up about. But things start getting a little weird when Surya meets Nandini, the daughter of the village sarpanch and falls head over heels in love with her.

As the festival knocks on the door, unholy and supernatural events begin to occur in the village, leading to mysterious deaths that have everyone terrified of the mystical and tantric forces at play. The head priest puts a self-imposed lockdown on the village until the mystery is solved to stop the deaths.

With Surya at the centre of this supernatural mystery, the deaths start getting a little too close for comfort. Surya, along with Nandini and a couple from the village, decides to dig deep and uncover the truth behind the strange events and deaths.

The film explores the theme of superstition and how rural Indians still rely on ancient texts to distinguish right from wrong, which ultimately leads to some deadly consequences. Rajeev Kanakala plays the village sarpanch, who is a central character in the film, adding depth and complexity to the storyline. As Surya delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers the darker secrets of the seemingly simple and cheerful village of Rudravanam.

 

Virupaksha: Complete Review

The film manages to create a suffocating atmosphere that keeps you engrossed throughout. The film starts off strong, showing how fear and superstition can lead to heinous decisions, and then shifts to the 1990s, when Surya and his mother are spending quality time with their relatives and other villagers.

The first half of the film is quite racy, with a good mix of romance and mystery. The dialogues are emotional and add depth to the characters, making you invested in their journey. However, the film takes a turn in the second half, and some portions might seem draggy. But if you're paying attention, you'll notice that the film has been peppering clues all along for you to join the dots.

The sound design is quite brilliant , and the wonderful background score by Ajaneesh Loknath creates an eerie feel. The cinematography by Shamdat is also quite good, capturing the village's essence and the characters' emotions. Kartik's direction is on point, and he manages to keep the audience engaged without relying solely on jump scares.

The film also touches upon the issue of superstition and how it can lead to fatal consequences. There might be moments where you question if the makers are promoting superstition or just narrating a story of people drowning in it. But for most of the film, you're engrossed enough to give in to the vision, and that's a win.

The cast of the film does an excellent job, with Sai Dharam Tej and Samyuktha Menon delivering powerful performances as the lead couple. Abhinav Gomatam, Kamal Kamaraju, and Rajeev Kanakala add depth and complexity to the storyline. Sai Chand's performance as the head priest is also noteworthy.

The climax could have been better, but the film manages to make sense of everything without shoving explanations down your throat. Virupaksha is a well-crafted film that makes you look beyond the actors and into the characters. It's a film that'll make you flinch but not want to look away at the same time.