कलिंगा

"Kalinga" is a bold attempt by director and lead actor Dhruva Vaayu, showcasing his passion for horror cinema despite the constraints of a limited budget. The film revolves around a protagonist's unsettling experiences as he delves into a sinister mystery that unfolds in a rural backdrop.

What Worked: Vaayu's effort to create a captivating narrative with limited resources is commendable. The film has a few chilling sequences that effectively build tension, particularly in the first half. The background score, though clearly inspired by well-known horror motifs, manages to elevate the atmosphere in crucial scenes. The cinematography deserves praise for capturing the eerie essence of the locations, adding depth and visual appeal to the film.

Pragya Nayan, who plays the female lead, brings a strong presence to the screen. With the right choice of scripts in the future, she has the potential to make a mark in the industry.

What Could Have Been Better: However, Kalinga falls short in several areas. The demon makeup is unfortunately subpar, often breaking the immersion when it appears on screen. The screenplay lacks coherence, feeling more like a collection of disjointed scenes rather than a unified story. Some of the best moments seem like snippets borrowed from other films or short films, leading to an overall lack of originality and depth.

The film also struggles with connecting its plot points, leaving several threads unexplained or unresolved by the end. This absence of a strong conclusion diminishes the impact of the mystery that Kalinga tries to build. The background score, while effective at times, is noticeably influenced by other works, which detracts from its authenticity.

Final Thoughts: Overall, Kalinga is an average horror flick that has its moments but fails to live up to its potential. Vaayu's direction shows promise, but the film is ultimately let down by its poor execution in makeup and storytelling. For horror enthusiasts, it might be worth a watch for its atmosphere and a few standout scenes, but don't go in expecting a cohesive and groundbreaking experience.

With better scripts and a more refined approach, the cast and crew have the potential to deliver more compelling films in the future.

The film revolves around a young man named Kalinga, who sets out on a journey to avenge the death of his father.

The film is a visually stunning action spectacle with well-choreographed fight sequences and impressive visual effects. Dhruva Vaayu delivers a powerful performance as the protagonist, showcasing his athleticism and screen presence. The supporting cast, including Aadukalam Naren, Tanikella Bharani, and others, provide solid performances.

However, the film's narrative falters in its predictability. The plot follows a familiar revenge story template, lacking the originality and depth that could have elevated it beyond a standard action film. The supernatural elements, while visually impressive, are not fully integrated into the story and feel somewhat tacked on.

Despite these shortcomings, Kalinga is an entertaining watch for fans of action cinema. The film's technical prowess is undeniable, and the lead performance is captivating. However, those seeking a more nuanced and thought-provoking experience might find the film's predictable narrative and underdeveloped supernatural aspects to be a letdown.

Here are some of the things that make Kalinga an entertaining watch: * The visually stunning action sequences and impressive visual effects.

* The powerful performance by Dhruva Vaayu in the lead role.

* The strong supporting cast.

However, the film's narrative falters in its predictability. The plot follows a familiar revenge story template, lacking the originality and depth that could have elevated it beyond a standard action film. The supernatural elements, while visually impressive, are not fully integrated into the story and feel somewhat tacked on.

Overall, Kalinga is a visually impressive action film that delivers on its promise of entertainment. However, its predictable narrative and underdeveloped supernatural elements prevent it from reaching its full potential.

You don't expect to be disappointed with a movie with a 9.0 IMDb rating but this was an exception. Lot of people out there calling this movie "super" or "hit" and it baffles me.

It's a very long movie and for 1.5hrs it goes absolutely nowhere. When the creature finally appears, it gets killed in 5 mins!!!

They've tried to mix in so many elements that nothing shines through. There's the horror element, the mythology element, then there is romance angle to develop the character (but it's so half assed you feel nothing), then there is Linga's backstory which is supposed to be the thriller element and finally the story about the treasure.

The background music in the climax had me scratching my head, I've never seen a movie that uses such an elaborate background score for the creature's entry and fight scene, yous generally want to use minimal background score to keep the focus on the creature, it was the exact opposite here.

Overall, cheap wannabe movie with poor acting and a very mixed up story. Rather than watching the movie, go outside for a walk.

In an attempt to craft a grand spectacle that mirrors the recent success of films like *Kantara*, *Tumbbad*, *Arundathi*, and *Virupaksha*, the director of this movie had lofty ambitions. The idea was to blend elements of horror, folklore, and mysticism into a narrative that would thrill audiences, just as these previous films did. However, despite the potential of the concept, the execution fell short in several critical areas, especially in terms of the screenplay and overall storytelling.

From the outset, it is clear that the director aimed for an engaging and immersive experience. The first 20 minutes of the film truly deliver in terms of horror and intrigue. There's a palpable sense of dread, and the tension is built up effectively. The dark, eerie atmosphere works well, drawing the audience in and setting high expectations for what's to follow. But as the story progresses, this early momentum begins to wane. The script, which had the potential to craft a gripping tale, is hampered by a disjointed and poorly executed screenplay.

The biggest letdown is the film's pacing. After the promising start, the narrative gets bogged down by unnecessary scenes that drag on without adding much to the story. What starts as a horror movie with great promise slowly turns into a collection of missed opportunities. The director seems to have struggled with maintaining a consistent tone throughout the film, and this becomes especially evident as the middle section drags on without significant developments. The tension that was built up in the early parts fizzles out, leaving the audience waiting for something impactful to happen.

The film promises a major twist in the final 20 minutes, but even this plot development falls flat. The build-up to the twist is inconsistent, and when it finally arrives, it lacks the punch needed to make it memorable or impactful. It's evident that the director had a vision for a shocking revelation, but the poor execution of the screenplay means that the twist feels rushed and not as surprising as it could have been. With better pacing and buildup, this twist could have elevated the film, but instead, it ends up being underwhelming.

While the narrative falters, there are some aspects of the movie that deserve praise. The locations chosen for the film are stunning. The visual representation of the story's setting is one of the movie's strongest points, and the cinematography captures the grandeur and mystery of these locales beautifully. The attention to detail in the set design and the atmospheric use of lighting also enhance the film's visual appeal, drawing the audience into a world that feels both familiar and otherworldly.

However, the film's visual effects (VFX) leave much to be desired. In a movie that leans heavily on supernatural and mystical elements, strong VFX is crucial to bringing these scenes to life. Unfortunately, the VFX here are subpar and fail to complement the otherwise impressive visuals. There are moments where the effects look outdated or poorly rendered, breaking the immersion and detracting from the overall experience. This is especially disappointing given the high standard set by other recent films in the genre, which have utilized cutting-edge technology to create stunning visual spectacles.

Despite these issues, the film does manage to end on a somewhat positive note. The conclusion ties the story together, and there's a sense that, with better direction and a more polished screenplay, the film could have been a major success. The introduction and ending are highlights, but the journey in between is too inconsistent to leave a lasting impression. The director's vision was clear, but the execution was flawed, particularly when it came to translating the script into a cohesive and engaging narrative.

In summary, this film had the potential to be a hit in the South Indian film industry, following in the footsteps of *Kantara*, *Tumbbad*, and others. The concept was strong, the script was decent, and the locations were breathtaking, but the film was ultimately let down by its poor screenplay and lackluster VFX. If more attention had been paid to pacing and character development, and if the twist had been delivered with more finesse, this could have been another standout film in the genre. For these reasons, I would give the movie 5 stars for its potential and the director's ambition, but it's a bittersweet rating, as I can't help but feel that this story could have been told in a much better way.

Kalinga is a prime example of a film that misses the mark on every level. From its lackluster performances to its nonsensical plot, this movie is a complete waste of time.

The acting is over-the-top and cringe-worthy, with actors hamming it up at every opportunity. The unnecessary songs disrupt the flow of the narrative and add nothing to the story. The action sequences are poorly choreographed and executed, making them laughable rather than thrilling.

The editing is sloppy and amateurish, with jarring cuts and transitions. The overall pacing of the film is uneven, with some scenes dragging on while others feel rushed.

In short, Kalinga is a cinematic disaster that should be avoided at all costs.