236. Virupaksha; movie review

 

VIRUPAKSHA

Cert 15

146 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong supernatural threat, horror, violence, bloody images

India is consumed with superstition and belief in the supernatural - even in the 21st century.

Virupaksha leans on both in a thriller/horror with some compelling twists.

Its opening sequences show the burning of a husband and wife who are belied to be involved in witchcraft.

The action then moves on more than a decade to the same village where a mother (Niharika) has returned with her son, Surya (Sai Dharam Tej) after many years away for a ceremony at her former school.

They are unaware of the killings and that the village is gripped by fear of going against ancient texts that rule their lives.

Aside of the jiggery-pokery, Surya falls for the feisty Nandini (Samyuktha) and tries every way he can to woo her.

However, he loses his focus when villagers start dying in very strange ways.

I have to confess that Virupaksha had me gripped more than horrors usually do - because its story takes priority over grisly special effects.

Sure, there are some nasty moments but, by and large, blood and gore are kept away from the screen and reserved for the imagination.

And, while there is romance, it is not slushy enough to detract from the plot.

Sai Dharam Tej brings the audience onside as he goes into bat against the forces of evil and I particularly liked Samyuktha for the way she copes with the layers of Nandini's complex character.

So, yes, Karthik Varma Dandu's Virupaksha is a little daft at time but it was tense enough to make me jump. 

Reasons to watch: Tense village thriller

Reasons to avoid: A little bit daft at times

Laughs: None

Jumps: One

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? According to the National Crime Records Bureau of India, since 2000 more than 2,500 women have been killed after being branded as a witch. 

The final word. Karthik Dandu: "It's great to know that the response has been extremely positive. I think the failure of my first film, Bham Bolenath, motivated me to get every aspect of Virupaksha - from every single frame to sound - right this time." Film Companion

Share this post