Chandoo Mondeti’s Karthikeya (2014) Movie Review

“Sadanaath Saadhane Sarvam…”

Magnus Cine Prime Banner’s Karthikeya is about a young man whose life is turned upside down when he risks up his life to find the truth behind a temple mystery. Karthik (Nikhil Siddhartha) a happy go lucky guy and he is whizz when it comes to solving mysteries. In the same time, Endowment Officer Shankar (Raja Ravindra) comes to solve the mystery behind Subrahmanya Puram Temple and dies without solving it. Karthik’s life takes a serious turn when he discovers a copy of Shankar’s book on Subrahmanyapuram Temple. He realizes that this book had some links with Temple Mystery. But things turns around when he gets to know about scientific things relating to the temple. The rest of the story is about how Karthik overcomes the curse and reopens the Subrahmanya Swamy Temple.

Everything seems half baked or in some cases completely uncooked. Nikhil Siddhartha looks good, but seemed a bit off playing the mature character. Swathi’s character ddoesn’treally have much to do, nonetheless she tried her best and passes off as average. Rao Ramesh plays the part with utmost conviction. Kishore is simply wasted in an absurd role. Tanikella Bharini did full justice for his small character. Satya, Praveen and Jogi brothers succeed in tickling some funny bones. Tulasi as sentimental mother is just about okay.

The story starts on a decent note and then manages to grab your attention until the weak and puerile climax. The writer manage the thread a good net around the main plot, but as it keeps unlaxing the twists turns out to be predictable and lame. The love track hamper the flow of the movie. The romantic part was unwanted and act as speed breakers to the suspense narration. The first half of the film passes by very swiftly, despite the songs. But post interval, Karthikeya turns interesting with the scientific and credulity. And end the film, as we left with message, If we don’t understand doesn’t mean that the explanation doesn’t exist.

Chandu Mondeti as a debutant director looks very promising and surely can be given a benefit of doubt, as the problem lies in the scripting. Some scenes like; Sketchy narration of the Temple’s history, Revealing Animal Magnetism, and Tanikella Bharini – Nikhil’s conversation in the end are brightly shot. His direction somehow, induces life in the film otherwise a dull affair.  As a result, even though the films running time is two hours, it seems much longer than that. Punnami Vennala & Inthalo songs are very good. The other songs are fine and do not add much value to the narrative. Karthik Gattamneni’s cinematography is very good. The shot at the guest house deserves a special mention. Editor K Srinivas could have cut short the film by 10-15 minutes. VFX shots in the film are brilliant elevates the flashback episodes.  Production Values of Magnus Cine Prime Banner are fine.

Thankfully here is a suspense thriller film that stays true to the genre and makes an honest attempt to keep a viewer interested. Okay, so it may not be as polished a product as a Murari or as intriguing as a Anveshana; still the fact remains that when it comes to an overall narrative, director Chandu Modeti has his basics well in place. Suspense Thriller movies have been attempted in Tollywood earlier, but Karthikeya comes at a time when Suspense thriller movies are as good as extinct in Tollywood. And that’s its USP. The History – in Cartoonish way, Conversations between Blindfath – Belief, Comparisons between Science and Miracle will surely compel you while watching the film. The film ends on a note which gives a clear indication of Karthikeya being developed as a franchise with Part 2 in the offering. Its even interesting what the makers have to offer next.  All in all, Karthikeya is a different movie with a potentially good concept. Worth a shot.

Titbit: One more interesting thing about Karthkeya is that the names of the lead actors are named after lord Karthikeya & his wife Valli.

Survi Review: 2.5/5

Theatrical Trailer: