User reviews

Aneel Kanneganti's 2023 Telugu thriller Hidimbha attempts to deliver a unique blend of serial killer investigation and elements of tribal horror, delving into themes of cannibalism and ancient lineage. Starring Ashwin Babu and Nandita Swetha as the lead police officers, Abhay and Aadhya, the film sets out to unravel the mystery behind a series of missing girls in Hyderabad, all of whom share a disturbing commonality: they were wearing red dresses.

The film's initial premise is intriguing, promising a dark and mysterious ride. The disappearances of girls, the involvement of a special officer, and the hint of something far more sinister than a typical serial killer create an air of suspense. The narrative aims to build tension as the police force struggles to piece together the clues, eventually leading them to a remote, tribal context and the titular "Hidimbha" clan. This shift from an urban crime thriller to a more primal, almost mythological horror element is where the film tries to differentiate itself.

However, Hidimbha's ambition often outstrips its execution. While the concept of an aboriginal clan with cannibalistic tendencies is certainly novel for Telugu cinema, the screenplay struggles to fully integrate these disparate elements. The first half of the film, focusing on the police investigation, often feels conventional and at times, suffers from a lack of genuine thrills or compelling character development for its leads. The relationship between Abhay and Aadhya, former lovers, feels underdeveloped and doesn't add much emotional weight to the escalating crisis.

The film truly leans into its unique premise in the second half, particularly during the flashback sequences that delve into the history and practices of the Hidimbha tribe. These portions, while visually engaging and offering some of the film's more gruesome moments, also highlight the narrative's struggle with logical coherence. The abrupt shifts in tone and the reliance on twists, some of which are not entirely unpredictable, can leave the audience feeling disoriented rather than genuinely shocked.

A major point of contention in critical reception has been the film's handling of its central twist - the revelation of the true antagonist. While designed to be a shocking reveal, it often raises more questions than it answers, undermining some of the earlier established plotlines and character motivations. The film attempts to connect the modern-day crimes with ancient practices and personal vendettas, but the bridge between these two timelines often feels tenuous and forced.

Performances in Hidimbha are a mixed bag. Ashwin Babu, in an action-heavy role, shows physical commitment but at times struggles with the emotional depth required for his character. Nandita Swetha, as Aadhya, is given a more substantial role and tries to ground the film with her earnest performance, but even her efforts can't fully overcome the script's inconsistencies. Makarand Deshpande, in a key negative role, stands out, delivering a menacing presence that adds much-needed intensity.

Ultimately, Hidimbha is a film with a genuinely interesting concept that unfortunately falters in its execution. It attempts to weave together a complex tapestry of crime, mythology, and horror, but the threads often unravel due to a disjointed screenplay, logical loopholes, and an uneven pace. While it offers a few engaging moments and some genuinely unsettling visuals, particularly in its more gruesome sequences, it ultimately falls short of its ambitious potential, leaving viewers with a sense of a daring attempt that didn't quite hit its mark.

"Hidimbha," directed by Aneel Kanneganti, is an interesting Telugu thriller that combines history with suspense. In the 2-hour-16-minute film, we follow the story of Abhay (Ashwin Babu) and Aadhya (Nandita Swetha), two investigators in Hyderabad, as they try to solve a series of kidnappings with a connection to India's past.

Ashwin Babu plays Abhay, a character with a hidden history, and Nandita Swetha is convincing as Aadhya, a cop dealing with childhood trauma. The chemistry between the main characters adds emotion to the story.

Supported by a talented cast, including Srinivasa Reddy, Vidyullekha Raman, and Makarand Deshpande, the film keeps the suspense high. Director Aneel Kanneganti skillfully blends thriller, action, and history.

The cinematography by Raja Sekar looks great, and Vikas Badisa's music and Kalyan Chakravarthy's dialogues enhance the overall experience.

As the investigation unfolds, the film surprises by linking the crimes to a tribal community with a dark past related to the 1857 revolt. This revelation adds depth to the story. The climax, where we learn about Abhay's connection to the criminal, is both shocking and emotional.

While the film has a few predictable moments and loose ends, "Hidimbha" succeeds in offering a mix of history, crime, and personal drama. It provides a fresh take on historical events, making it a noteworthy addition to the thriller genre.

In conclusion, "Hidimbha" is a recommended watch for thriller fans who enjoy a unique story that combines history with intense suspense. The engaging plot, strong performances, and visual appeal make it stand out in the genre.

It's a suspenseful film. The writing is done well. Complete story and a time killer for sure. Every moment is worth watching. The lead actor did splendid job. Too many stories to watch in a single film. However they dragged it to the ending. The first half of the film was completely unnecessary. It could have been done in 5 to 10 minutes. The era is changing, cinema is changing, instead of being slow paced, showing everything, I like to watch it in short. So that was a flaw in this movie. That was on the writers part. The story had a great potential but it was made long just to increase the duration of the movie. The director did a great job, including the performers. I still cannot figure out a few things shown in the movie. I guess I cannot mention it here. Overall, this movie is worth watching your time. It gets better after the second half. Serious film. I like the visuals and landscapes. A few scenes were similar to Pirates of The Carribbean movie, I don't know if that was intentional or just a coincidence, but I got flashbacks to one of the POTC movie. 6 out of 10 stars from my side.

I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt congratulations on the remarkable success of movie *HIDIMBHA* . Seeing that vision come to life on the big screen and receiving such positive feedback from audiences and critics alike is truly a testament.

The countless hours that spent meticulously planning every shot, carefully selecting the cast, and tirelessly editing and re-editing until every scene was just right. Have undoubtedly paid off, as the final product is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Beyond the technical aspects of filmmaking, what resonates most with me is the emotional depth and thought-provoking messages woven throughout your movie. The Director had an innate ability to capture the complexities of human emotions and bring them to life on screen, allowing viewers to empathize with the characters and contemplate on deeper themes.

Overall, Hidimbha presents itself as an action-packed thriller with some thrilling moments. The intriguing backdrop adds to its appeal, although it suffers from a lackluster narration in the first half. The movie gains momentum only during the pre-interval portions, and the second hour provides some engaging sequences. However, it falters in maintaining logical consistency at times, which significantly diminishes its overall impact. Moreover, the film's intense violence may not resonate well with all types of viewers. Consequently, Hidimbha ends up being a passable choice for your weekend movie watch.

The second hour holds the key as this is where the film enters the main plot. Things become interesting once the flashback portions start, and the way a crucial backstory is narrated is good. Though the narrative style looks a bit similar to Karthi's Khakee in the flashback scenes, it still holds one's attention thanks to the captivating visuals.

The main twist which comes in the pre-climax is decent. Ashwin Babu shines in an action avatar. The actor did a pretty good job in Hidimbha, and his intense hard work to look fit for the cop role is appreciable. Nandita Sweta gets a meaty role, and the actress does well. Her character is essential to the film's story and is not restricted to songs merely.

Makarand Deshpande does a superb job in the negative role. His role is pretty well written, and the entire second half revolves around him. The way he looks and exhibits wickedness is one of the biggest strengths of the film.

Hey folks, gather 'round, because I've got a bone to pick with the so-called movie "Hidimbha." Seriously, where do I even begin? This film is an absolute mess, and it's a shame I can't rate it any lower than one star.

So, picture this: you walk into the theater, excited to see a modern take on a classic myth. You've got your popcorn, your soda, and high hopes. But within the first 15 minutes, you start questioning your life choices. The plot was all over the place, characters had less depth than a kiddie pool, and the dialogue? It felt like it was written by someone who's never spoken to another human being.

And don't get me started on the plot twist. I mean, seriously, who comes up with this stuff? It was so far-fetched and grotesque that I actually felt physically ill. It's like the filmmakers played a cruel joke on the audience, and we were the unwilling victims.

The attempts at social commentary were about as subtle as a sledgehammer. It's like they had a checklist of issues they wanted to tackle, and they ticked them off one by one without any finesse or subtlety. It felt forced and preachy, and I was rolling my eyes more often than not.

The acting? Well, let's just say it was as uninspiring as the rest of the movie. It felt like the cast had given up hope and were just going through the motions. There was zero chemistry between the leads, and I couldn't care less about what happened to any of them.

Visually, "Hidimbha" was a snooze fest. The cinematography lacked any kind of flair, and the special effects were about as exciting as watching paint dry. I was hoping for some visual spectacle to distract from the trainwreck of a story, but no such luck.

In conclusion, "Hidimbha" is a total trainwreck of a movie. It's a prime example of how not to adapt a classic myth for modern audiences. Do yourself a favor and save your time and money for something better. This film is a hot mess from start to finish, and you're better off watching paint dry than suffering through it.

Good concept and a must watch for movie lovers. Movie was successful in glueing me to the seat and was a nerve chilling experience ,personally liked the intensity at the actors that was carried through out the movie. Huge fan of makran D ,his performance was out standing . Location were and sets was good , dialogues and music was apt per the situation , Movie is a masterclass in its genre ,. It's a new defination of thriller ,hope to see more of these. Finally hats off to the director Aneel Kanneganti and team who has a great vision in getting and making it realistic . Wish to see more of the master class .Well done team Hidimbha!!!

The story of the movie is so bad out of mind, so bad acting is not desirable in any way. Especially the lead female character, who is completely expressionless, a mindless actress. Watching a movie made with so many third-class type stories means that the mood and time will be lost. There is no naturalness in the hero, no proper expression - it seemed as if he was playing his role somehow. The direction of the director is third class, every scene can be felt from the beginning of the movie. But there is one good thing in spite of all this, the cinematography in the hero's action sequences was good. That's all. Other than that, it's complete garbage.

Director's high altitude imagination of presenting a very special role of warning to muscular cannibal enriched with legal powers ...

Investigation Started but it may end with Aswin , but the hunting for hunger will never end ...!!! @HIDIMBHA Premakai thapinche manasu premanu gelichaka ...,

Aakali tho kadupu kaalithe manassulo pade bhaadhe gundello vinapadela kallaki kattesela chese song @memories are painful

With heart touching lyrics ...!!

Bhaadhe penche alalai munche naalo hrudhayam neekai Rodhinche... Vedhinche ... nanu nee ..gnapakampe...oooh... Preme nanne ontari chese pranam theesi oopiri pose oooh amruthame gnapake #memories are painful Ultimate heart touching lyrics with superb music

Background score adhurs

Worth watching.

The story started very well but eventually it gets worse and Acting wasn't that good.

I wonder how this got this much imdb rating.

If you are just entertainment lover and want to pass time without any expectation then you can watch it.

The Finishing climax wasn't expected but what base was good.

The direction could be better, acting could be better.

In conclusion, "Unveiling Hidimbha's Legacy" possesses a strong foundation that, with improvements in direction, acting, and attention to detail, has the potential to be a captivating cinematic experience. By embracing the richness of its mythological roots and addressing technical and narrative shortcomings, the film can earn the acclaim it aspires to.

Now available in aha

Super creation of director and the interest towards creation of new zoner in Telugu film industry.

Hidimbha is a movie worth seeing in a theater. This movie was an exceptional work of art because of its fantastic aesthetics and superb sound design.

It is a hybrid thriller genre, which is extremely uncommon in Telugu film, and the tribal setting is a first for Indian cinema. We are pleased of the way our directors are bringing Telugu cinema to a global audience with these kinds of themes and cutting-edge production. We're literally waiting to watch Hidimbha 2 right now, Aneel Kanneganti.

There have been many unrecorded events throughout history. The director used such an incident to create an engaging story. The key actors give flawless performances. And Makarand Desh Pandey, the father who is blind, is my favorite. He is dangerous. Even that pretend son, that youngster. He is incredible., Worth watching streaming now in aha.

I went into watching this film without much expectation although it was somewhere between mid to low. Little did I know this will turned out to be a standout achievement that caught me completely by surprise. In an industry where formulaic approaches often dominate, this film dares to be different, delivering a thrilling narrative that's both gripping and original. The storytelling is tight, the suspense is palpable, and the direction shows a level of craftsmanship that is rare to see. The performances are all not too bad as well. What I loved most is how "Hidimbha" pushes the boundaries of what we've come to expect from this genre, proving that there's still room for creativity and bold choices in mainstream cinema. It's a must-watch for anyone craving something fresh and exciting.