Engaging suspense thriller

Film: Vei Shubhamulu Kalugu Neeku
Direction: Rams Rathod
Cast: Vijay Raja, Tamanna Vyas, Shivaji Raja and others
Rating: 2.5

Story: Chaitu (Vijay Raja) works as a programme director for horror shows in a television channel. He has a girlfriend Divya (Tamanna Vyas). He buys a bungalow to fulfil his father’s dream. But it turns out to be a house with a ghost (Jnana Priya) and life takes a different turn. Will Chaitu leave the bungalow?

Review: Well-made suspense thrillers are always popular, right? Vei Shubhamulu Kalugu Neeku is a decent film that grabs attention. The key to thrillers is writing, and director Rams Rathod has done it well. The script is compact without any lag, especially in the first half.

The entire set-up, especially the horror scenes shot in the jungle at the beginning of the movie, was reasonably well executed. In fact, several scenes are grippingly shot. The first half is entertaining, as it establishes the characters in the film. The scene where Satyam Rajesh is scared along with the hero entertains the audience well.

But the film lacks emotional depth at times, especially in the second half. Rachcha Ravi provides a few laughs and the characters of Sarayu and Uday who come in the second half are fresh.

Vijay Raja has done full justice to his role as Chaitu. His character has various shades and he has proved that he has it in him to make it big. His dance moments and fights are impressive too. Tamanna Vyas did her best in the limited role.

Satyam Rajesh's comic take on the role of hero’s friend is impressive. Venkat Narayana, the new actor who plays Uday, has done a great job of balancing two roles - as lover boy and villain.

The plot of this suspense thriller is different from the usual, and the producers Tumu Narasimha Patel and Jamie Srinivasa Rao deserve to be appreciated for backing such a good story. The story writer Srinath Reddy has penned a tale that achieves a fine balance between emotion and suspense.

However, the film isn’t without flaws - the story could have been crisper. Also, the screenplay could have been tighter. The film feels sluggish and lacks intensity during key moments in the second half.

Though it will have tough competition from other films, it has potential at the box office.