When it comes to Telugu cinema, horror thrillers have always had a strong fan base. In recent years, filmmakers have tried to bring fresh stories, unique settings, and a mix of horror with human emotions. One such attempt is Kishkindhapuri, starring Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas and Anupama Parameswaran in lead roles. Directed by Kaushik Pegallapati, this movie blends supernatural horror with suspenseful storytelling, aiming to give audiences both scares and engaging drama.
In this article, we will explore the Kishkindhapuri review, story, performances, technical highlights, strengths, weaknesses, and final verdict. If you are someone who loves horror thrillers or are curious about how this film stands out in Tollywood’s horror lineup, keep reading.
Kishkindhapuri Movie Details
- Movie Name: Kishkindhapuri
- Genre: Horror, Thriller
- Hero: Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas
- Heroine: Anupama Parameswaran
- Director: Kaushik Pegallapati
- Producer: Sahu Garapati
- Music Director: Chaitan Bharadwaj (Songs), Sam CS (Background Score)
- Cinematography: Chinmay Salaskar
- Editing: Niranjan Devaramane
- Release Date: 12 September 2025
The film generated curiosity much before its release with haunting teasers, gripping promotional videos, and the star pairing of Bellamkonda and Anupama, who earlier impressed audiences with Rakshasudu.
Kishkindhapuri Story – What’s It About?
The story follows Raghav (Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas) and Mythili (Anupama Parameswaran), a couple who, along with their friend Sudarshan, run a “Ghost Walking” tours business. Their job is to take adventure seekers into abandoned houses, claim they are haunted, and provide them with thrilling experiences.
One such trip takes them and a group of 11 people to a ruined radio station called Suvarnamaya in a place known as Kishkindhapuri. This radio station has been deserted since 1989, and the group enters without knowing the dangers inside.
Once they step inside, they hear a chilling female voice from the radio. Soon, it is revealed that the voice belongs to Vedavathi, a woman who had turned into a vengeful spirit. She warns that no one who entered will be spared. True to her words, three members of the group are killed instantly.
The tension rises when a small child among them becomes Vedavathi’s target. At this point, Raghav steps up, ready to risk his own life to protect the child and his loved ones. The rest of the movie reveals:
- Who is Vedavathi, and why did she become a ghost?
- What is her past connection with the Suvarnamaya station?
- Will Raghav and Mythili manage to survive and save the others?
This forms the crux of the movie, filled with mystery, supernatural elements, and emotional layers.
Kishkindhapuri Review – How Is the Movie?
First Half
The first half of the movie is designed to scare the audience. With abandoned houses, creepy visuals, and jump scares, it manages to create a tense atmosphere. The sound effects, visuals, and camerawork play a big role in amplifying the horror.
Second Half
The second half shifts focus to Vedavathi’s backstory and the reason behind her haunting. Here, the pace slows down slightly, and the thrill factor dips at places. However, the flashback narration and emotional depth maintain audience interest. Some parts may remind viewers of episodes from Rakshasudu, but the director brings his own twists.
Overall, the film manages to balance horror with an engaging story, even though logic is sacrificed at times. As one of the characters says in the film, “Horror has no logic,” and the screenplay follows the same line.
Performances
Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas
Bellamkonda tries a new genre with this horror thriller. While maintaining his usual action style, he also shows good emotional range, especially in scenes where he protects others. His screen presence in the horror backdrop feels refreshing.
Anupama Parameswaran
Anupama looks elegant in the first half and transforms into a convincing haunting presence in the second half. Her role adds depth to the story, and her performance as a ghost is one of the highlights.
Sandy Master
As Vishwputra, Sandy Master impresses with his intense performance. His presence in both horror and emotional scenes is strong, leaving a mark.
Hyper Aadi & Sudarshan
Though included for comic relief in the beginning, their comedy does not work as much as expected.
Supporting Actors
Tanikeella Bharani, Makrand Deshpande, and senior actress Prema deliver solid performances in their roles. Prema, especially, shines in an emotional mother’s role, giving an unexpected twist towards the climax.
Technical Highlights
- Music & BGM:
- Songs by Chaitan Bharadwaj are decent, with “Amma Song” standing out emotionally.
- Background score by Sam CS is excellent, creating the required eerie and tense atmosphere throughout.
- Cinematography:
- Chinmay Salaskar’s visuals make the horror sequences come alive. Dark frames, shadow effects, and abandoned setting shots are top-notch.
- Editing:
- Niranjan Devaramane keeps the pace crisp. The film avoids dragging unnecessarily.
- Direction:
- Director Kaushik Pegallapati chooses a fresh backdrop of a radio station, which is rarely explored in Telugu horror cinema.
- While the first half delivers scares effectively, the second half could have used tighter writing.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Strong horror sequences and visuals
- Excellent background music
- Lead pair chemistry
- Emotional depth in the second half
- Fresh backdrop of a haunted radio station
Weaknesses
- Some predictable twists in the second half
- Comedy track not effective
- Certain logical loopholes
Comparison with Other Horror Films
The film naturally draws comparisons with other Telugu horror thrillers. Fans who loved Rakshasudu may feel a sense of déjà vu in parts. However, Kishkindhapuri creates its own identity with the unique setting and focus on a ghost tied to a radio station.
Interestingly, this release comes at a time when Telugu audiences are also enjoying other unique content like Mirai Movie which is gaining attention for its box office performance. (Check full details here: Mirai Movie Review and Box Office Collections)
Audience Response
The movie received mixed to positive responses upon release. Viewers praised the horror sequences, background score, and Anupama’s ghost transformation. Some, however, felt the story lost momentum in the second half. Still, for horror lovers, Kishkindhapuri is engaging enough to watch in theatres.
The hype around this film also reminds us of how audiences eagerly follow entertainment updates, whether it’s movies or reality shows like Bigg Boss Telugu 9 Contestants 2025, showing the deep interest in fresh content.
Final Verdict
Kishkindhapuri is not just another horror film. It combines horror with emotional storytelling, making it slightly different from regular ghost stories. The first half entertains with scares, while the second half focuses on drama and suspense.
- If you are looking for a film with spine-chilling moments, good visuals, and a decent storyline, this movie will satisfy you.
- If you expect a purely logical thriller, you may find a few loopholes.
Rating: 3.25/5
