Kalinga

The Telugu film 'Kalinga' is quite the mixed experience! Directed by Dhruva Vaayu, it's a fantasy action horror that seems to be reaching for too much. Starring Dhruva Vaayu and Pragya Nayan in the main roles, it occasionally comes off as a bit self-indulgent. Dhruva Vaayu is trying to be the center of the story and sometimes feels that all he wants!

The cinematography is top-notch, but the CGI leaves a lot to be desired. There's a heavy dose of religious Hindu-themed animation, the acting is just okay, and the songs? Not great either. Honestly, that pretty much sums up my hour and 56 minutes with it.

"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.

"Kalinga" is a gripping and thought-provoking film that delves into the complexities of human emotions, societal issues, and the pursuit of justice. The movie, set against the backdrop of a small town, follows the journey of its protagonist as he navigates through personal loss, corruption, and the fight for truth. The narrative is intense, with a well-crafted screenplay that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. The performances are stellar, particularly by the lead actor, who brings depth and authenticity to his character. The cinematography captures the essence of the setting beautifully, enhancing the overall viewing experience. While the pacing could be slightly improved in the second half, "Kalinga" is a compelling watch that leaves a lasting impact.

"Kalinga" is a must-watch for those who appreciate films that challenge societal norms and inspire change. If you're interested in exploring more about the film's production or behind-the-scenes details, you can check out this on on ibomma.baby.

Extremely overhyped movie with sub par cinematography and an equally incoherent storyline. Not sure why and how this movie is getting so much hype, but to be honest, please save 2 hours from your schedule and skip watching this one.

They even used AI generated images at the start of the movie which itself gives an impression of a badly produced social media content.

The mythology doesn't make much sense and yes, songs in the middle of a movie with such a somber tone is a total mood killer. The movie is made for target audiences who are not very familiar with world horror movies. I think Tumbbad was far better than this.

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.