Bhairavam 2025 Movie Review: A High-Octane Story of Betrayal and Brotherhood
Indian cinema has always loved stories about friendship, family, and loyalty. Bhairavam (2025), directed by Vijay Kanakamedala, takes these familiar ideas and drops them into a raw world of village violence, political deals, and spiritual faith. Released on 30 May 2025, this Telugu action drama is the official remake of the 2024 Tamil film Garudan, and it clearly targets audiences who enjoy strong “mass” entertainers.
The Plot: Temples, Tents, and Treachery
Set in the dusty village of Devipuram in Andhra Pradesh, the film follows three childhood friends whose bond is tied closely to the local temple they protect. Gajapathi Varma (Manchu Manoj) and Varada (Nara Rohith) come from influential families and carry forward a legacy of friendship that began with their fathers. Seenu (Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas), an orphan brought up by Gajapathi’s family, acts as their loyal right hand, a man ready to die for them if needed.
Their peace collapses when Minister Vedurupalli Venkateswara Rao (Sharath Lohithaswa) targets a huge stretch of land owned by the Vaarahi Amma temple. He plans to grab it and cash in on a ₹1000 crore real estate project. To get his way, he slowly plays on the class gap and hidden doubts between the three friends. Old loyalties begin to crack, and the story turns into a harsh tale of greed and betrayal.
Cast Performances: The Power of Three
The core strength of Bhairavam 2025 is its lead cast. For many Telugu film fans, this project feels special because it brings back a few familiar faces.
- Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas as Seenu:
Sreenivas tones down his usual larger-than-life style and gives a more controlled performance. He plays the loyal sidekick role with real conviction. His scenes in the second half, where he slips into intense “poonakam” (spiritual possession) during temple celebrations, stand out as some of the most gripping moments in the film. - Manchu Manoj as Gajapathi:
This film marks an important return for Manoj. He brings strong energy and aggression to the screen. While his character is not written with a very deep emotional graph, his dialogue delivery and presence remind viewers of his earlier impactful roles. - Nara Rohith as Varada:
Rohith adds balance to the trio. With his grey-haired look and firm body language, he plays a calm and weighed-down man torn between friendship and duty to his family. His quiet intensity gives the film some emotional weight. - The Supporting Cast:
Aditi Shankar steps into Telugu cinema as the female lead, though her character mostly appears in songs and standard romantic scenes. Senior actress Jayasudha brings dignity to her role, and Vennela Kishore adds natural humour at key points. The supporting actors help make the village world feel more grounded.
Direction and Technical Aspects
Director Vijay Kanakamedala, who earlier made Naandhi, tries to blend raw village drama with a big commercial setup. The action scenes, designed by Ramakrishna and Nataraj Madigonda, are fierce and tightly put together. The pre-interval fight sequence, in particular, has been widely praised as a proper “goosebumps” block.
On the visual side, the film looks rich and detailed. Hari K. Vedantam’s cinematography highlights the dry fields, crowded temple spaces, and night-time rituals of Andhra Pradesh with striking clarity. The shots during the temple festivals, lit by lamps and fire, build a tense and almost haunting mood as the violence increases.
The music by Sricharan Pakala works well in parts. The background score lifts the tension and emotions in many scenes. However, some of the song placements break the flow and slow down the story. The track “Dum Dumaare” has already become popular with fans, but a few other songs feel like they exist mainly to tick the usual commercial boxes.
Bhairavam vs. Garudan: A Worthy Remake?
Since Bhairavam 2025 is a remake of Garudan, comparison is natural. The Tamil original received praise for its tight writing and grounded tone. In contrast, Bhairavam 2025 chooses a louder and more “mass” approach. It pushes the spiritual angle harder, framing Seenu as a devoted guardian figure linked to the temple goddess. This angle may connect strongly with Telugu viewers who enjoy mythic shades in rural dramas.
At the same time, by adding more hero-elevation scenes and commercial moments, the film loses some of the subtle character work that made Garudan stand out. The storytelling here is broader and more dramatic, with less focus on smaller emotional details.
Pros and Cons
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Strong performances from the lead trio | Familiar commercial formula |
| Rich, atmospheric visuals and cinematography | Songs that slow down the narrative |
| Hard-hitting action sequences | Female characters written with limited depth |
| Effective spiritual and temple-based elements | Editing that sometimes feels uneven |
Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?
Bhairavam 2025 works well as a solid one-time watch for fans of village-based action dramas. It does not change the genre, but it moves fast enough and hits the right beats for viewers who enjoy intense friendship stories, betrayal, and heavy action set against temple rituals and rural politics.
If you want a layered, deeply written take on betrayal and morality, the film may feel a bit thin. As a visual and emotional spectacle, powered by the trio of Bellamkonda Sreenivas, Manchu Manoj, and Nara Rohith, it delivers exactly what its trailer promises: strong emotions, fierce action, and plenty of whistle-worthy moments.
iBomma Rating: 3.0/5 Stars