Mangalavaaram

What a stunt! I was so impressed by the trailer and envisioned a psychological or mystical horror. Instead, it was a whodunit mystery accentuated by a strong cinematography and terrific background score. Kudos to director Ajay Bhupathi for presenting a title and trailer so artfully deceptive and this misdirection sets the stage for the film that somehow manages to meet the expectations in parts.

Coming to the story, it is a period drama centered around a string of inexplicable murders that cast a sinister shadow over the village every Tuesday. As wave of terror sweeps the inhabitants, a resolute police officer (Nanditha Sweta) takes charge and arrives to unravel the mystery that has cast a shadow over the community. Then we have a tonal shift as the narrative deftly interweaves the present with the past, introducing Shailaja portrayed by the vivacious Payal Rajput. Her life spirals into despair after falling prey to a deceiving schoolteacher. This event leads to a series of dire consequences that intertwine with the ongoing murders in the village. To uncover the happenings, the enigma of Shailaja's past and the motive behind these chilling killings is best to witness it on the big screen.

On the downside, the film's runtime is definitely overkill. Especially the first half as it progresses, it inspires little interest untill the introduction of Payal Rajput who has given it all for this film. Even the second half has speed breakers which diminishes the flow of narrative. You will also draw parallels to classic film's such as Kantara (2022), Ave Kallu (1967), Shhh! (1993), and one of the greatest series of all time Marmadesam (1996).

On the positive, the film's last few sequences and the climax makes up for the overall impact. It's good to see the director trying out something fresh, even the sex disorder angle could've been given interesting possibilities doesn't mean it is a bad idea but it will hold your attention post interval till the climax reveal. I'm sure the wild ride in the finale will make you overlook the film's earlier flaws. Fun fact for the actress fans -There's even a sequel!

This film unfolds with numerous twists right from the outset. While these twists offer excitement and entertainment for the average movie lover, many of them tend to be predictable. Despite their predictability, the twists manage to captivate the audience's attention and maintain engagement throughout the movie.

The narrative introduces a plethora of characters, contributing to the suspense and prompting spectators to harbor doubts about each one. However, as the plot progresses, the significance of several characters diminishes, creating a sense of confusion. The performances in the film, although not at their peak, are sufficiently competent given the complexity of the character ensemble.

For viewers opting for an Over-The-Top (OTT) platform, it is recommended to experience the film with a high-quality music system, as the background score serves as the lifeblood of the movie. Overall, it qualifies as a decent one-time watch, providing a good source of entertainment and a few unexpected turns, even though the abundance of characters may lead to some confusion in the plot.

Very rarely you come across a trailer that makes you go "Bruh, what the heck did I just watch? I need to see what the movie's about!" This film had one of those, so props to the editing team for coming up with such a trailer.

The film FINALLY dropped on streaming, had to check it out. Mangalavaram/ Chevvaikizhamai is a psychological thriller set in a village where people are mysteriously dying on Tuesdays and nobody knows 'who/what/why'. While this film has some regular tropes that you may have seen in previous films, it centers around something very bold, which I didn't expect the film to do; don't think you'd have seen it before either. Also, not for kids.

Extra marks for a bold topic, but special mention to the sound design and the music team. They've elevated this film to a different level. Parts of the film also look really well shot. Payal Rajput, don't know the first thing about her, did a brilliant job. Parts of the film that didn't work for me - Twists, while good, felt slightly abrupt. I didn't like the 'comedy' in the film, felt crass and unnecessary. Take that away and nothing changes in the film. While the topic was bold, the take around it felt...like I'd seen similar films before.

This would have been a BRILLIANT film 10-15 years ago, but those times wouldn't have been okay with the primary reason behind the plot. All that said, surely worth a watch, you can give it that much, you're either going to praise for the boldness or look at everything else and say this is just the same old stuff in a new box. There's only one way for you to find out.

Mangalavaaram (2023), directed by Ajay Bhupathi, attempts to carve a niche for itself as a rural psychological thriller, delving into themes of illicit relationships, societal hypocrisy, and a woman's struggle with a unique health condition. While ambitious in its premise and technically proficient, the film's execution often struggles to maintain a consistent tone and deliver on its intriguing setup.

The movie unfolds in the fictional village of Mahalakshmipuram in 1996, where a series of mysterious deaths occur every Tuesday, accompanied by public confessions of the deceased's secret affairs painted on village walls. This immediate sense of dread and a whodunnit mystery effectively grabs the audience's attention. The newly appointed SI Maaya investigates, unraveling a web of hidden desires, betrayals, and the dark underbelly of a seemingly peaceful community.

Where Mangalavaaram truly stands out is in its technical aspects. The cinematography, particularly the night sequences and the atmospheric village setting, is commendable, creating a visually engaging and often eerie mood. The background score by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, known for his work in Kantara and Virupaksha, is a significant strength, effectively building tension and underscoring the film's psychological elements. These technical strengths contribute significantly to whatever sense of intrigue and suspense the narrative manages to generate.

Payal Rajput, in the central role of Shailaja, delivers a brave and demanding performance. Her character, afflicted by a hormonal imbalance that heightens her sexual urges, is complex and unconventional for Indian cinema. Rajput navigates the emotional and physical toll of the character with conviction, earning empathy from the audience despite the controversial nature of her condition. The film attempts to shed light on her plight and the societal ostracization she faces, positioning her as a victim rather than a villain. Other supporting actors, particularly Ajay Ghosh, provide solid performances that contribute to the film's ensemble.

However, the film's narrative coherence proves to be its Achilles' heel. While the core concept of a village riddled with secrets and a protagonist grappling with a rare condition is compelling, the screenplay often feels scattered. The blend of a murder mystery, social commentary, and a character study of Shailaja doesn't always coalesce seamlessly. The first half, in particular, is criticized for its slow pace and a series of seemingly disconnected events, creating a sense of a build-up that doesn't quite pay off until later. Twists are introduced, some effective, some less so, and the overall pacing can be uneven. Some critics found the film's exploration of "hypersexuality" in a conservative setting to be overtly displayed, potentially overshadowing its intended message about societal issues.

The director, Ajay Bhupathi, known for RX 100, attempts a bold and unconventional story. While his vision for creating a dark, thrilling atmosphere is evident, the execution sometimes falters in balancing the various genre elements and delivering a truly impactful commentary. The film tries to be a psychological thriller, a social drama, and even hints at horror, but this genre blending can lead to a muddled experience.

In conclusion, Mangalavaaram is a film with a courageous concept and strong technical merits, particularly in its visuals and sound design. Payal Rajput's performance is noteworthy for its bravery and depth. However, its ambitious narrative occasionally gets bogged down by an inconsistent screenplay and a struggle to fully realize its complex themes, leaving audiences with a mixed but undeniably intriguing cinematic experience.

Alright, fam, let me lay it down for ya on this blockbuster mess I just peeped. So, the actors were straight-up killin' it, no doubt. They had me feelin' some typa way, you know? And them locations and sets, bruh, on point! Like, I was practically living in that flick.

Now, the cinematography, fam, it was like watching art in motion. Those shots had me like, "Dang, did they hire a magician or what?" So props on that, no cap.

Now, let's talk about this script. It's like they grabbed some random words from a hat and called it a day. And the background music? It is the real killer. Direction was straight-up mediocre. It's like they lost the map to a decent film and just winged it.

Now, the lowlights, my dude. These slow sequences had me checking my watch more than the plot did. And the VFX? Man, it looked like they hired a toddler with a crayon to do that mess. Twists? More like turns into a dumpster fire.

So yeah, if you're into movies that make you question your life choices, this one's a winner. Grab your popcorn and brace yourself for a rollercoaster of "meh."