Choo Mantar

"Choo Mantar," directed by Navaneeth, is a Kannada horror-comedy that artfully blends supernatural elements with humor. The film follows Dynamo (Sharan) and his team-RJ (Chikkanna), Akanksha (Aditi Prabhudeva), and Nakul (Kiran Chandrashekar)-as they delve into the mysteries of the haunted Morgan House in Nainital, rumored to conceal a hidden treasure.

The narrative unfolds across three timelines: 1945, revealing the house's sinister past; 2004, where a ghost hunter seeks answers; and 2024, with Dynamo uncovering the truth. This structure adds depth and intrigue, keeping viewers engaged.

Sharan delivers a compelling performance, seamlessly balancing humor with the film's eerie atmosphere. Chikkanna's comedic timing complements Sharan's, enhancing the film's entertainment value. Aditi Prabhudeva and Meghana Gaonkar add unexpected twists to their roles, while Prabhu Mundkur and Kiran Chandrashekar, along with Rajani Bharadwaj, support the story effectively.

Technically, the film excels. Academy Award-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty's work amplifies the horror experience, and cinematographer Anup Kattukaran captures the mansion's ominous ambiance with finesse.

While "Choo Mantar" may not offer groundbreaking horror, it stands out for its unique blend of genres, engaging performances, and technical excellence. It's a must-watch for fans of horror-comedy and those seeking a fresh take on the supernatural genre.

Choo Mantar is an absolute treat for fans of entertaining yet well-crafted cinema. Despite not featuring star actors, the casting is spot-on, with every character fitting their role perfectly. Sharan and Aditi deliver outstanding performances, and Chikkanna's comedy adds the perfect dose of laughter we've come to expect from a Sharan movie.

The first half is incredibly engaging, with an outstanding twist at the intermission that left me stunned. The makers deserve credit for not cramming in unnecessary songs, allowing the narrative to flow seamlessly. While the second half is slightly flatter compared to the first, it doesn't take away much from the overall experience.

A special mention to the Vishnu Dada scene-it was an unexpected surprise that added depth and nostalgia. If this marks the beginning of continuing Vishnu Sir's legacy through Nagavalli-inspired stories, I am all for it.

The cliffhanger ending has raised expectations for potential sequels, and I can't wait to see what's next. Overall, Choo Mantar is a decent, well-executed film that entertains while staying true to its genre.

"Choo Mantar" is a Kannada horror movie that has left an indelible mark on the genre. Directed by the visionary Navneeth, this film is a masterclass in horror storytelling that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The film's narrative is expertly woven, with a complex web of horror and suspense that will keep you guessing until the very end. The cast delivers outstanding performances, bringing depth and nuance to their characters that adds to the movie's chilling charm.

One of the standout aspects of "Choo Mantar" is its atmosphere. The film's eerie and foreboding setting is perfectly captured, transporting you to a world of horror and suspense. The cinematography is exceptional, with each frame meticulously crafted to create a sense of unease and tension.

But what truly elevates "Choo Mantar" is its background score. The haunting and chilling music perfectly complements the on-screen horror, amplifying the scare factor and making the movie an unforgettable experience. The sound design is also noteworthy, with each creak and groan expertly crafted to create a sense of unease.

Navneeth's direction is bold, innovative, and deserving of accolades. He weaves a complex web of horror and suspense, expertly crafting each scene to create a sense of unease and tension. His attention to detail is impressive, with each frame meticulously crafted to create a sense of horror and suspense.

"Choo Mantar" is a game-changer in the Kannada horror genre, raising the bar for future horror movies. It's a must-watch for horror fans, and its impact will be felt long after the credits roll.

In conclusion, "Choo Mantar" is a Kannada horror movie that has left an indelible mark on the genre. With its expertly woven narrative, outstanding performances, and haunting background score, this film is a masterclass in horror storytelling. Navneeth's direction is bold and innovative, and his attention to detail is impressive.

If you're a horror fan, "Choo Mantar" is a must-watch. It's a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing until the very end. And its impact will be felt long after the credits roll.

Gowtham aka Dynamo is a paranormal expert and has his own team which includes RJ, Akanksha and Nakul. Due to Akanksha's insistence, they all plan to visit Morgan House in Uttarakhand which is now deemed as a haunted house and probable location with hidden treasure. Morgan House is haunted by a spirit and we see a family of four, moving into it. Soon they start experiencing paranormal activity with their child acting strange. What happens to the family? What is the story behind the spirit? Does Gowtham and crew find the hidden treasure? The film tries to answer all of this with an half hearted attempt at building an horror universe.

Navneeth is an ambitious director but his vision is hindered by pretty mediocre vfx and the attempt at generating horror is undone by it as well as the poor background score. The one toned narrative remains uneven and the only positive was the pre-interval reveal about the events happening with the family and Gowtham's crew. The attempt should have been at making a true blue horror film with the focus on the exorcism as the comedy dialogues remained completely flat. There wasn't much double meaning dialogues which was another plus. But the overuse of green screen and not filming in the actual locations, impact the viewing experience severely. The half hearted attempt at building an horror universe with not just a sequel announcement but aligning itself with an existing classic looked extremely forced.

Obviously those giving this 10 are part of the cast and crew of the film production. Not much abput this film can score any points. Acting utterly atrocious, over dramatic, unbelievable, facial mannerisms laughable bordering on atrocious, dialect of dialogue far from helping the horror genre, actually it hindered it. The only redeeming point i could offer this flaming wreck is for some of the set design, cinematograhy and as for the must lauded sound design what a laugh this was nothing more than the typical soundscapes sound found in most B horror in this day and age.

Dont waste your time much better horrors out there.