Sci-Fi Thriller Darshini Mixes Mystery, Morals, and Futuristic Intrigue

Plot: Santosh (Vikas), Priya (Shanti), and Livingstone (Satya Prasad) are best friends who plan a getaway at a farmhouse owned by Dr. Darshini. During their stay, they stumble upon a machine that shows them their future. As they watch the next day's events unfold on the monitor, Dr. Darshini mysteriously disappears, deepening the suspense. A police officer arrives at the farmhouse under the guise of patrolling, leaving the trio bewildered. What happened to Dr. Darshini? What's the secret behind the future-predicting machine? Who is the cop, and how is his sister involved? Can the trio escape the trap they are in?

The majority of the scenes focus on Vikas, Satya Prasad, and Shanti. Vikas convincingly portrays a possessive boyfriend, while Shanti, nicknamed Tingari for her naivety, brings innocence to her role. Satya Prasad plays an overweight character who frequently freezes and relies on a stress ball as an antidote. However, the performances could have been more compelling to align with the sci-fi genre.

The supporting cast, including the actor playing Dr. Darshini, has a minimal impact. Ravi Milky’s cinematography is hampered by sub-par production values. Editors Praveen Jairaj and Chandu Chalamala keep the film tightly paced, preventing any scene from dragging. Nijani Anjan’s music and Siva Prasad’s background score are adequate but would have benefited from better production quality.

Analysis: Director Dr. Pradeep Allu presents a cerebral storyline that evolves from an entertainer into a thought-provoking narrative. The female lead’s character has a suspenseful arc, while a male character grapples with his lustful tendencies, adding depth to the story.

"Darshini" offers a fresh take on the sci-fi genre, incorporating elements of techno-horror with manipulated voices and mysterious CCTVs. An invisible character's presence looms large, while Dr. Darshini’s foresight of her death and its connection to the ever-vigilant cop adds intrigue.

The film’s second half grows darker, with a jungle scene heightening the mystery. Hidden motives and character secrets add further twists.

Despite its engaging story, "Darshini" is hindered by low production values and visual quality.

Verdict: "Darshini" is an intriguing spin on the sci-fi genre, driven by a compelling story. However, it is let down by its production values.

Rating: 2/5