Movie: Ooru Peru Bhairavakona
Rating: 2.25/5
Banner: Hasya Movies, AK Entertainments
Cast: Sundeep Kishan, Kavya Thapar, Varsha Bollamma, Vennela Kishore, Viva Harsha, Ravi Shankar, JP and others
Writers: Bhanu Bhogavarapu, Nandu Savirigana
Music: Shekar Chandra
DOP: Raj Thota
Editor: Chota K Prasad
Art Director: A. Ramanjaneyulu
Producer: Razesh Danda
Written and Directed by: VI Anand
Release Date: Feb 16, 2024
Fantasy films or those based on Hindu or Indian mythological subjects are currently enjoying considerable popularity. Following the success of "Kantara" and "Hanu Man," there has been a growing demand for such stories. "Ooru Peru Bhairavakona," with its captivating promotional trailers, garnered significant attention. Paid premieres were held two days prior to the film's official release, and it received an overwhelming response, indicating a strong interest from audiences. But does the film truly meet these high expectations?
Let’s find out.
Story:
Basava (Sundeep Kishan), employed as a film extra, steals a bag containing gold jewelry that belongs to a bride on her wedding day. He and his friend, John (Viva Harsha), make their escape in a hijacked jeep as they are pursued by the police.
During their escape, they come across an unconscious woman named Geetha (Kavya Thapar) who has fallen by the side of the road as a result of an accident. They promptly take her to a nearby hospital. The nearest village is Bhairavakona.
As the doctor (Vennela Kishore) attends to her, Basava and John experience peculiar phenomena in the village, leading them to discover that they have entered a realm inhabited by ghosts.
Why does that village have dead people? What was the motive behind Basava's act of theft of the jewellery? What is Bhoomi's role (Varsha Bollamma) in the overall story?
Artistes’ Performances:
Sundeep Kishan convincingly portrays Basava, a character tormented by the consequences of his actions towards the girl he deeply loved. The role is limited to playing a conventional protagonist in a fantasy film, but he does it skillfully.
Varsha Bollamma portrays the role of a tribal girl. She has limited runtime in the film but she features in two super hit songs.
Kavya Thapar appears in the film alongside the hero, but her role is merely that of a sidekick.
Vennela Kishore delivers comedic moments. He and Viva Harsha jointly contribute to the entertainment quotient.
Technical Excellence:
Technically the film is solid. Sekhar Chandra's music is just ok. The viral songs "Nijame Ne Chebutunna" and "Humma Humma" are catchy. The background score is not upto the mark.
The film has excellent visual effects and strong visuals. The production design is equally good.
Highlights:
Pre-interval episodes
Two songs
Visuals and couple of sequences
Drawback:
The unconvincing story
Narration in the second half
Tiresome final moments
Analysis
"Ooru Peru Bhairavakona" starts off as a typical entertainer and gradually piques the audience's interest. The narrative gains momentum as it progresses towards the pre-interval sequence. While the backdrop of "Bhairavakona" may resemble last year's blockbuster "Virupaksha," the latter proves to be more captivating and entertaining, whereas the former falls short in comparison.
The film delves into the Garuda Puranam, exploring the soul's journey after death and transporting viewers to a realm inhabited by ghosts. However, these ghosts deviate from the typical portrayal seen in countless films, and the setting diverges from the conventional haunted mansion often featured in horror movies. Writer-director Vi Anand infuses elements reminiscent of zombie movies into the narrative.
However, the film's downfall lies in its failure to align with any specific genre, be it horror drama, supernatural thriller, mystic thriller, or zombie flick. By blending elements from various genres, it ultimately fails to deliver a thrilling experience.
The initial segments of the movie, where protagonists Sundeep Kishan and Viva Harsha stumble upon Bhairavakona by chance, manage to evoke some curiosity. The horror is not as anticipated, while the comedic interludes between Harsha and Vennela Kishore offer moments of entertainment. Nevertheless, once the primary plot twist is revealed, the film loses its momentum.
Furthermore, the extended sequence featuring Ravi Shankar comes across as both foolish and tedious. The twist involving Varsha Bollamma and Sundeep Kishan in the final act lacks conviction, and the purported emotional drama falls flat.
Director Vi Anand is known for his visually rich storytelling, and "Ooru Peru Bhairavakona" is no exception, with lavish production design and visual effects. However, despite excelling in visual aspects, Anand falls short in delivering a compelling narrative. Apart from "Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada," where Anand managed to maintain narrative coherence, his other films, including "Ooru Peru Bhairavakona," suffer from a lackluster second half.
In conclusion, "Ooru Peru Bhairavakona" falls short of its intended goals, despite featuring two catchy songs and a moderately engaging first half. It is in the crucial juncture of the second half that the film falters significantly.
Bottomline: No anticipated horror