Story - Rudravanam is a village. Villagers burned alive a couple in 1979 after witnessing them doing black magic. The couple's child was taken to a local orphanage. Surya (Sai Dharam Tej) returns to Rudravanam with his family after a 12-year absence because it is his mother's hometown. He falls in love with Nandini (Samyuktha). When someone dies at a temple, the priest orders a lockdown of the hamlet. He claims that if any of the villagers cross the border, the entire hamlet will be in danger. A girl crosses the border to elope with her lover. As a result, people start dying in inexplicable circumstances one by one. The rest of the story is about how the visitor Surya takes up the subject and resolve it.
Artists Performance - In this film, Sai Dharam Tej appears slender and distinct. He is really talented. His tone is gentle and soft. He performed admirably in all important sequences. Though he did everything organically (probably due to DNA), you can notice shades of Chiranjeevi's mannerisms and sentence delivery from his 80's films in Sai Dharam Tej. Samyuktha has an important part, and she performs admirably. Sai Chand is excellent as the priest. Rajiv Kanakala plays a character who lives until the end. He was perfect for the part. As an Aghora, Ajay has undergone a total transformation, and he is outstanding. Sunil plays a significant role. He excels in a situation in which he varies his sitting posture. Brahmaji is an excellent doctor. Anchor Shyamala is excellent. Ravi Krishna, who played the boyfriend of an eloped girl, is outstanding. Kamal Kamaraju plays a vital role and excels in it. Abhinav Gomatam played the hero's friend in a minor role. Soniya Singh is in good health.
Story - screenplay - direction - The film's plot is intriguing. Sukumar's screenplay added to the charm of the story. There are numerous discoveries in the later half of the second half that are skilfully planted by connecting with events in the first half. With an impressive opening sequence of an esoteric practise, director Karthik Dandu establishes the premise. This scene serves as the foundation for the entire plot. Though he recounted a love tale in the first half, he always made sure that there was suspense in the background and tied it perfectly with a few sequences later on. Despite the fact that there are a few strong action sequences, he made certain that such scenes were handled without difficulty for the hero since there is a secret. The film's screenplay is excellent. There are some uninteresting periods in the first half and the first portion of the second half. A more established love story would have provided a greater payout at the climax. In the second half, there are some surprises. Whatever logic we find missing in some moments is explained in the second half with twists and flashback scenes. With this film, director Karthik Dandu makes a good first impression.
Analysis - Virupaksha is an excellent mystic thriller. It's been a while since a successful horror film with notable performers was made in Telugu (the most recent being Nikhil's Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada). Director Karthik Dandu keeps the film strictly in the mysterious category. He is so good at what he does that the audience laughed when he said "nuvvu raallu eruko" casually. Such was the film's solemn tone. Screenplay, director, background music, sound effects, photography, and casting are all strong elements. On the other hand, there are a few dull spots in the middle of the first half and the beginning of the second half. Virupaksha is the film for you if you want thrills and frightening amusement. Keep an eye on it!
