*Kishkindhapuri* is a Telugu-language horror mystery thriller directed and written by Koushik Pegallapati, marking his feature film debut. Released on September 12, 2025, the film stars Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas as Raghava, a ghost tour guide, and Anupama Parameswaran as Mythili (or Mythu), his partner in the business.
The story follows a group on a ghost walking tour in the fictional town of Kishkindhapuri who accidentally disturb a vengeful spirit in an abandoned radio station called Suvarnamaya, leading to a night of supernatural terror and revelations about the ghost’s tragic backstory.
Supporting roles include Tanikella Bharani, Makarand Deshpande, and Hyper Aadi, with music by Chaitan Bharadwaj and cinematography by Chinmay Salaskar. Produced by Shine Screens, it’s a genre-driven effort clocking in at around 2 hours, blending organic horror with subtle mythological nods.
**Kishkindhapuri Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)**
The film kicks off with a light-hearted setup: Raghava and Mythili run a fake ghost tour company, peddling thrills to tourists through scripted scares. Things turn deadly when a skeptical client picks a real haunted site—an old radio station haunted by a female spirit tied to a dark past.
As the group gets trapped, the story unravels through possessions, chases, and flashbacks, exploring themes of unresolved trauma and the blurred line between myth and reality. It’s a classic haunted-house formula with a radio twist, but Pegallapati tweaks it with dream sequences and possession mechanics that echo films like *The Conjuring* or *Bhool Bhulaiyaa*.
**Kishkindhapuri The Good**
– **Horror Elements and Twists**: The film’s strength lies in its sincere, no-frills scares—effective jumpscares, atmospheric tension in the radio station, and a gripping hospital sequence in the second half that ramps up the body-possession horror. The backstory reveal in the flashback portions is well-crafted, adding emotional layers without over-relying on gore. One spine-chilling dialogue in the climax stands out for its ambiguity: “Whether the evilness belongs to him or…?”—it delivers a punchy, memorable close.
– **Technical Aspects**: Chaitan Bharadwaj’s background score is a highlight, dominating the sound design to build dread effectively, even if the visuals sometimes lag. The sets and locations feel immersive, with strong graphics in action-horror hybrids.
– **Performances**: Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas shines in a restrained, everyman role, showing growth from his action-heavy past (like *Bhairavam*). Anupama Parameswaran elevates the second half with her intense portrayal of possession, though it’s physically demanding and uneven. Makarand Deshpande adds gravitas as a skeptical tour-goer.
– **Audience Buzz**: Early screenings have sparked praise for its “terrific” thriller vibe, with some calling it a potential remake candidate for Hindi franchises like *Bhool Bhulaiyaa*. On X, fans highlight the BGM and visuals as “absolutely satisfied,” and it’s crossed $250K in the US market by day 6, hinting at steady word-of-mouth.
**Kishkindhapuri The Not-So-Good**
– **Pacing and Execution**: The first half drags with a boring introductory song and predictable setups, feeling slow and ordinary. Emotional depth is underdeveloped—relationships lack resonance, and the climax feels rushed and unconvincing, diluting the horror’s impact.
– **Originality and Scares**: It leans on tired tropes (haunted building, ghostly revenge, turmeric rituals for warding off evil), lacking fresh scares or rooted Telugu folklore beyond surface-level nods. Some possession scenes come off as over-the-top, and the scare factor is “lackluster” overall, more engaging than terrifying. Critics note hypocrisy in Telugu media coverage, with accusations of paid reviews muddying perceptions.
– **Technical Flaws**: Cinematography lacks polish and depth, failing to heighten tension in key moments. The script’s twists sometimes undermine the fun, and while there’s no forced comedy, the masala mix feels safe rather than bold.
**Kishkindhapuri Overall Verdict**
*Kishkindhapuri* is a watchable, sincere horror outing that delivers chills in bursts but plays it too safe to haunt long-term. It’s a solid B-grade thriller for genre fans—better than average Telugu horrors like recent Maruthi flicks—but won’t redefine the space. If you enjoy atmospheric possessions and backstory-driven scares (think *Orr Erum Puram* meets Hollywood), catch it in theatres for the immersive sound. Skip if you’re burned out on formulaic ghosts.
**Rating: 3/5** (Above average for Telugu horror; engaging but flawed)
**Where to Watch**: Theaters now; OTT on Zee5 (expected post-theatrical run). Box office is holding steady with a successful meet planned, suggesting it’s resonating with audiences despite mixed critical takes.