Kishkindhapuri Review: Bellamkonda Sreenivas's film has a familiar plot but refreshing execution

Kishkindhapuri Story

Raghav(Bellamkonda Sreenivas) and his girlfriend Mythili(Anupama Parameswaran) make a living by taking horror enthusiasts to a nearby bungalow for a ghost-watching tour. One day, their pre-planned and manipulated tour takes a shocking turn when the group begins to encounter real horror elements inside the haunted house. Matters worsen as members of the group start getting killed one after another. Who is behind this chaos, and how the group survives the test of time, forms the crux of the story.

Kishkindhapuri Review

Kishkindhapuri has been written and directed by Koushik Pegallapati, who last made the flop film Chaavu Kaburu Challaga. After taking some time off, he is back with a horror thriller, a tried-and-tested genre in Telugu cinema. The biggest question was whether he could make the film engaging, and one can say he has passed with decent marks as Kishkindhapuri offers a fresh take on ghost stories.

However, the film takes close to fifteen minutes to find its rhythm. The establishment of characters and the fake ghost tour, which is the backbone of the plot, are not executed strongly. Things only get interesting when the ghost kills one of the team members, and from there on, the film avoids dull moments.

Though the audience can sense that someone is behind the horror elements, Koushik’s narration, sprinkled with neat thrills, keeps it engaging. The hero’s investigation and the way he inches closer to the real reason behind the ghost are handled well.

That said, the first half could have used more spooky moments. Had the director added stronger jump scares and riveting thrills, the big-screen experience would have been far more gripping. The supporting cast also feels underwhelming. Apart from the main leads, the rest of the actors fail to leave much impact in crucial scenes. 0

The horror elements in the second half, particularly the flashback, are good but slow down the pace. Still, the ghost’s motive is established well, and the flashback episodes, including Prema’s entry, along with the twists in the last half hour, make things exciting. A highlight is when the ghosts possess the lead pair, leading to some gripping drama and thrills.

Coming to performances, Bellamkonda Sreenivas has matured as an actor. He stays restrained and delivers what’s required, with his possessed act in the climax standing out. Anupama Parameswaran plays the female lead, but her role is more supportive until the climax, where she finally gets her moments to shine and scare.

Markand Deshpande and Tanikella Bharani are adequate, while Hyper Aadi’s comedy falls flat. Sudarshan is passable, but Prema in the flashback is excellent, with her makeup and emotional depth portrayed convincingly.

Technically, the film shines. Chaitan Bharadwaj’s background score is top-notch and one of the best in recent times, elevating the thrills significantly. The sound design is superb, while production values, camerawork, and design are impressive. Dialogues are okay, but editing is crisp, ensuring there are no boring stretches.

Compared to his debut, Koushik Pegallapati delivers a much stronger effort with Kishkindhapuri. While the story may feel a bit routine, the presentation is refreshing and manages to keep the audience engaged for the most part.

Kishkidhapuri Verdict

On the whole, Kishkidhapuri is a horro thriller that has some well executed thrills. Though it starts on a dull note, once it gets into its groove, the Bellamkonda Sreenivas starrer has decent thrills that keep you engaged.

Also Read: Mirai Review: Teja Sajja shines, Manchu Manoj stuns, a theatrical treat at its best 

FAQs

Q. What is Anupama Parameswaran's next film after Paradha?

A. She plays the main lead in Bellamkonda Sreenivas' new film, Kishkindhapuri.

Q. When is Kishkindhapuri releasing?

A. Kishkindhapuri was released on September 12, 2025.

Q. What are the Telugu films lined up for Sep 12, 2025?

A. Mirai and Kishkindhapuri are the film set for a September 12 release.

Q. Where to stream Kishkindhapuri on OTT?

A. You can stream Kishkindhapuri on Zee 5 and OTTplay Premium