BOTTOM LINE
Horror Coated Predictable Thriller
OUR RATING
2.5/5
CENSOR
‘U/A’ Certified, 2 hrs 22 mins
What is the film Bhaagamathie about?
Chanchala (Anushka) is brought to an old bungalow by CBI officer Vaishnavi Natarajan (Asha Sharath) to break her down and extract information to malign a minister Eeshwar (Jayaram). What happens when the spirit of Bhagamati possesses Chanchala at the place? The truth behind Bhagamathie is what the film is all about?
How is Anushka Shetty’s performance?
Anushka has got a role that puts her at the center stage of the proceedings. She gets to play a character that has scope for multiple variations and thrill the audience. Unfortunately, despite the presence of all the elements she only manages to scratch the surface when there was much more to achieve. Her acting in the very crucial scene in the hospital in the second half should have created an impact elevating the proceedings which didn’t happen. And that is just an example.
Direction By G. Ashok?
Director G Ashok has come up with another subject that needs a tight screenplay to work along with a performance that can mask the apparent flaws. He gets middling output in both the cases.
The movie opens excitingly, and it is carried until the first thirty minutes or so, and then it gets into a routine jargon of horror comedy. It is alright but feels very repetitive and generic. The interval bang is excellent and gives high anticipation for the second half. The interest is carried again at the beginning of second half. The scenes involving psychiatrist and tantric are engaging.
However, the problem starts once the actual truth is revealed. First of all, everything is routine and predictable. One knows exactly what is going to happen. The director’s inspiration from Hollywood makes things even more apparent. The acting from lead further brings it down. Still, the effort to show something clever by pulling the wool over the viewer might hold appeal to few which makes Bhaagamathie a routine one-time watch sort of fare.
Asha Sarath and others?
Three Malayalam artists get significant parts apart from Anushka in the film. They all do their roles with interest and engage. Jayaram shines the most among them followed by Asha Sharath and Unni Mukundan. Murali Sharma is reliable as usual. Dhanraj, Prabhas Seenu, and Vidyulleka handle comedy. There is nothing exemplary to write about them.
Music and other departments?
SS Thaman once again proves to be adept at giving a perfect score for a horror or thriller based subject. The cinematography is fine. Editing could have been better. The writing is plain.
Highlights?
Background Score
Casting
Interval
Twists
Drawbacks?
Predictable After Twists
Climax
Alternative Take
The subplot involving political backdrop and the editing associated with it in getting the flashback in place hampers the flow of the movie. A better subplot that keeps within overall horror and thriller genre would have further elevated the proceedings and also helped in avoiding the predictability in the second half.
Did I enjoy it?
In parts
Will you recommend it?
Yes but with huge reservations
Bhaagamathie Review by Siddartha Toleti
Final Report:
Overall, Bhaagamathie is just an okay watch. The major highlight of the movie is BGM and sounding. Bhaagamathie relies more on horror thrills but they are routine. The second half has an unexpected twist but once it unfolds the movie gets predictable until the climax. Visit back for our frank detailed review soon.
– How Chanchala was framed in the murder case has been revealed. The movie heading towards the climax.
– Chanchala (Anushka) shifted to Mental hospital, here comes a good unexpected twist when the Minister meets her in the hospital.
– Second half starts off with Bhaagamathie revealing her story.
First Half Report:
Bhaagamathie first half is very average. The movie starts off very well but soon becomes repetitive with the horror moments in the fort. Anushka’s flashback episode is also very routine. BGM and sounds are the highlight so far. But the interval bang of ‘Bhaagamathie’ entry makes us look forward to the second half. The real story is yet to begin. Stay tuned for the second half report.
– Chanchala (Anushka) is being interrogated by CBI to frame honest Minister Eswar Prasad in a Temple antiques theft case. IAS Chanchala worked as a secretary to the minister in the past.
– The ruling party frames a theft conspiracy on Minister Eswar Prasad who is going against his own party. Chanchala (Anushka) who is in Jail as a prisoner is shifted to Bhaagamathie fort to use her as a witness in the conspiracy. Bhaagamathie bungla has the history of horror and killings.
– Bhaagamathie show started on a thrilling note of killings of a family. Follow Bhaagamathie live updates.
Bhaagamathie Live Updates Start from 4.30 am IST.
Preview: Bhaagamathie
After a long wait, Anushka Shetty is coming back to entertain audiences as ‘Bhaagamathie’. As this is her first movie after a gigantic success like ‘Baahubali 2’, it is helping to gain good attention.
Added to this factor about Anushka, the not so routine subject is also helping to get a good buzz and also the history of Anushka’s film career with a blockbuster like ‘Arundhathi’ which was a blockbuster in Telugu and also fared decently in Tamil.
‘Bhaagamathie‘ is expected to create the same magic as created ‘Arundathi’. Let’s see if it can really repeat the magic. Director Ashok who never had any big success except for Nani’s ‘Pilla Zamindar’ is at the helm of the things for the movie.
He is backed up with the branded UV Creations, the production house that has the reputation of scoring back-to-back hits with only ‘Jill’ being an average fare. The director also has got the best of the technicians he can ask for.
Can the director really deliver with the best of the things offered to him? Apart from all the above-mentioned positives, the movie is getting a unique release when the major releases which were expected to come on the same day backed out from the competition. ‘Bhaagamathie’ was supposed to release for Sankranthi but backed out then.
So, ‘Bhaagamathie’ has an open field not only in Telugu but also in Tamil and hence, got the maximum number of screens it can command. It’s going to have a simultaneous release in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam.
It’s time to know the result. Will Anushka’s movie live up to the expectations? Our mirchi9 genuine and comprehensive Bhaagamathie review is on the way. Stay tuned folks.
