Kishkindhapuri (2025)

In an era where Telugu cinema is exploring diverse genres, “Kishkindhapuri” emerges as a bold attempt at crafting a horror thriller that goes beyond conventional scares. Released on September 12, 2025, this Koushik Pegallapati directorial venture starring Bellamkonda Sreenivas and Anupama Parameswaran has generated significant buzz for its unique approach to the horror genre and its impressive technical execution.

Complete Movie Information & Quick Facts

Essential Details	Information
Movie Title	Kishkindhapuri
Release Date	September 12, 2025
Director	Koushik Pegallapati
Language	Telugu
Genre	Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Runtime	2 hours 5 minutes (125 minutes)
Lead Cast	Bellamkonda Sreenivas, Anupama Parameswaran
Supporting Cast	Tanikella Bharani, Makrand Deshpande, Srikanth Iyengar, Hyper Aadi
Music Directors	Chaitan Bharadwaj, Sam C.S., B. Ajaneesh Loknath
Cinematographer	Chinmay Salaskar
Producer	Sahu Garapati
Production Banner	Shine Screens
Certificate	18+ (A Certificate)
Budget	₹32 crores
Box Office Recovery	₹8 crores (theatrical)
IMDB Rating	8.3/10
User Rating	4.2/5
OTT Platform	Zee5
OTT Release Date	Late October/Early November 2025

Plot Synopsis: When Ghost Tours Turn Real

Kishkindhapuri revolves around Raghav (Bellamkonda Sreenivas) and Mythili (Anupama Parameswaran), a couple who operate ghost-walking tours in the mysterious village of Kishkindhapuri. Their business thrives on fabricated supernatural stories designed to thrill tourists visiting abandoned buildings and supposedly haunted locations.

The narrative takes a terrifying turn when they guide a group of tourists to Suvarnamaya, an old radio station that has been abandoned for 35 years. Unlike their usual orchestrated scares, this location harbors a genuine supernatural presence. When an old radio mysteriously begins transmitting, it announces the names of the spirit’s next victims, unleashing real horror upon the unsuspecting visitors.

The film explores several compelling questions: What dark secrets led to Suvarnamaya’s closure three and a half decades ago? Who is the woman whose spirit now haunts the radio station? Can Raghav and Mythili save the trapped tourists from the vengeful ghost? These mysteries form the backbone of a narrative that blends psychological thriller elements with traditional horror tropes.

Cast Performance Analysis: Acting That Elevates Horror

Bellamkonda Sreenivas: A Career-Best Performance

Bellamkonda Sreenivas demonstrates remarkable growth as an actor in Kishkindhapuri, delivering what many critics consider his most mature performance to date. After over a decade in the industry, the actor shows visible improvement with each film, and this horror thriller showcases his ability to handle intense dramatic sequences and emotional depth.

His portrayal of Raghav balances the character’s initial skepticism about supernatural phenomena with growing terror as events unfold. Sreenivas effectively delivers challenging dialogue and maintains believable chemistry with his co-star throughout the film’s tense moments. Critics have particularly praised his performance in the climax sequence, where his intense screen presence anchors the film’s most crucial moments.

Anupama Parameswaran: Subtle Excellence

Anupama Parameswaran brings nuanced performance to Mythili, a character that requires careful balance between vulnerability and strength. While her role remains somewhat restrained in the first half, she truly shines in the film’s second half, particularly in a pivotal hospital sequence that has earned widespread critical acclaim.

The actress demonstrates her versatility by portraying multiple layers of her character, from the confident tour guide who fabricates ghost stories to a woman confronting genuine supernatural terror. Her chemistry with Bellamkonda Sreenivas feels natural and adds emotional weight to the horror elements.

Supporting Cast Contributions

Tanikella Bharani brings his veteran experience to a crucial role that provides exposition and emotional depth to the supernatural elements. Makrand Deshpande delivers a compelling antagonist portrayal that adds significant value to the second half proceedings.

Srikanth Iyengar, Hyper Aadi, and Sudarshan provide comic relief and character development, though some critics note that their potential wasn’t fully explored. The supporting cast effectively creates a believable ensemble around the central supernatural narrative.

Technical Excellence: Crafting Authentic Horror

Direction and Screenplay

Koushik Pegallapati, known for his work on “Chaavu Kaburu Challaga,” demonstrates impressive command over the horror thriller genre. His direction maintains organic horror elements without resorting to cheap scares or comedy gimmicks that often dilute Telugu horror films.

The screenplay, written by Bala Ganesh K, Darahas Palakollu, and Pegallapati himself, creates a well-structured narrative that builds tension gradually. However, critics note that certain revelations feel rushed due to the film’s crisp runtime, leaving audiences wanting more detailed exploration of key plot points.

Cinematography and Visual Design

Chinmay Salaskar’s cinematography effectively captures the eerie atmosphere of Kishkindhapuri village and the abandoned Suvarnamaya radio station. The visual design emphasizes mood and atmosphere over flashy effects, creating genuine supernatural dread through careful framing and lighting choices.

The technical team’s decision to focus on practical effects and atmospheric horror rather than heavy CGI contributes to the film’s authentic feel and helps maintain suspension of disbelief throughout the supernatural sequences.

Sound Design and Music

The film’s technical triumph lies in its exceptional sound design, which has received widespread appreciation from critics and audiences. The audio work creates immersive supernatural atmosphere that enhances the horror elements significantly.

Chaitan Bharadwaj, Sam C.S., and B. Ajaneesh Loknath collaborate on the musical score, creating a soundtrack that supports the narrative without overwhelming it. The background score particularly excels during supernatural sequences, using subtle audio cues to build tension rather than relying on loud jump scares.

Critical Reception: Mixed but Engaged Response

Professional Critics’ Perspective

123Telugu.com rated the film 3/5 stars, noting: “Kishkindhapuri is a sincere attempt that relies on organic horror elements without any adulteration through comedy or gimmicks. The jumpscares, well-placed twists, strong technical values, and flashback portions work in the film’s favor.”

Critics consistently praise the film’s technical aspects, particularly the sound design and cinematography, while noting areas where the narrative could have been stronger. The consensus suggests that while the film succeeds as a horror thriller, it falls short of achieving its full emotional potential.

Audience Reception Patterns

The film has generated mixed audience response, with horror enthusiasts praising its authentic approach to supernatural elements while general audiences note pacing issues in the opening sequences. Social media reactions highlight appreciation for the film’s avoidance of typical horror comedy tropes that dominate Telugu cinema.

IMDB rating of 8.3/10 suggests strong appreciation from film enthusiasts, while the user rating of 4.2/5 indicates broader audience satisfaction with the horror elements and performances.

Box Office Performance: Surprise Commercial Success

Financial Details and Recovery

Despite facing mixed reviews and strong competition from “Mirai” starring Teja Sajja, Kishkindhapuri emerged as a surprise commercial success. The film was produced on a budget of ₹32 crores and recovered ₹8 crores through theatrical distribution over its opening weekend.

Producer Sahu Garapati adopted a strategic approach by securing favorable OTT deals with Zee5, reducing pressure on theatrical performance. This combination of theatrical recovery and digital platform deals has made the project commercially viable.

Weekend Performance Analysis

The film showed impressive growth over its opening weekend, with Sunday collections touching the ₹3 crore mark for the first time. Despite competition from other releases and mixed critical reception, the horror thriller found its audience through positive word-of-mouth and strong technical values.

OTT Release Strategy: Zee5 Digital Premiere

Streaming Platform Deal

Zee5 has acquired both digital and satellite rights for Kishkindhapuri in a significant deal that contributed to the film’s commercial success. The streaming giant, along with Zee Telugu, will host the film’s digital premiere.

Expected OTT Release Timeline

Industry reports suggest the film will begin streaming on Zee5 in late October or early November 2025, approximately 6-8 weeks after its theatrical release. This timeline allows for maximum theatrical exploitation while satisfying audience demand for home viewing.

Horror enthusiasts and fans of the lead pair will soon be able to experience the supernatural thriller from home, with Zee5’s platform providing high-quality streaming across multiple devices.

Genre Analysis: Horror Evolution in Telugu Cinema

Breaking Horror Stereotypes

Kishkindhapuri represents a significant departure from traditional Telugu horror films that often blend comedy with supernatural elements. The film’s commitment to maintaining horror authenticity without comic relief demonstrates evolving audience tastes and filmmaker confidence in pure genre storytelling.

Technical Horror Filmmaking

The movie’s success lies in its technical approach to horror, using sound design, cinematography, and practical effects to create genuine supernatural atmosphere. This approach aligns with contemporary international horror standards while maintaining regional storytelling sensibilities.

Industry Impact and Future Implications

Career Trajectory for Cast

The film serves as an important career milestone for Bellamkonda Sreenivas, demonstrating his evolution as an actor capable of carrying horror thriller narratives. His performance suggests potential for more diverse role choices beyond traditional action hero parts.

For Anupama Parameswaran, the film reinforces her versatility and ability to handle complex emotional scenes in challenging genre contexts.

Director’s Growing Reputation

Koushik Pegallapati’s successful handling of horror thriller elements following his previous work establishes him as a director capable of managing diverse genres effectively.

Comparison with Contemporary Telugu Horror

Genre Positioning

Kishkindhapuri stands apart from recent Telugu horror attempts by avoiding comedy elements that often dilute supernatural tension. Its approach resembles more serious horror filmmaking traditions while maintaining regional appeal.

Technical Standards

The film’s technical excellence, particularly in sound design and cinematography, sets new benchmarks for Telugu horror productions and demonstrates the industry’s growing sophistication in genre filmmaking.

Awards and Recognition Potential

Given the film’s technical excellence, particularly in sound design and cinematography, it has potential for recognition in technical categories at regional film awards. The lead performances, especially Anupama Parameswaran’s hospital sequence, merit consideration for acting recognition.

Future Franchise Possibilities

The film’s supernatural premise and the mysterious history of Kishkindhapuri village provide foundation for potential franchise development. The success of the ghost tour concept could support expanded universe storytelling in future installments.

Cultural Significance and Regional Appeal

Village Horror Traditions

The film taps into traditional Indian village supernatural beliefs while presenting them through contemporary filmmaking techniques. This approach resonates with audiences familiar with regional folklore while appealing to urban viewers seeking authentic horror experiences.

Radio Station Symbolism

The abandoned radio station serves as effective metaphor for communication across temporal boundaries, connecting past tragedies with present consequences through supernatural intervention.

Critical Analysis: Strengths and Areas for Improvement

What Works Exceptionally Well

Technical Excellence: The film’s sound design, cinematography, and practical effects create genuinely immersive horror atmosphere without relying on cheap jump scares.

Performance Growth: Both lead actors demonstrate career-best work, with Bellamkonda Sreenivas showing particular improvement in dramatic sequences.

Genre Authenticity: The film’s commitment to pure horror without comedic dilution represents mature genre filmmaking.

Areas Requiring Enhancement

Pacing Issues: The opening sequences move slowly, potentially testing audience patience before supernatural elements emerge.

Emotional Depth: While technically proficient, the film could benefit from stronger emotional connections between characters and audience.

Runtime Optimization: Some revelations feel rushed due to the crisp runtime, suggesting need for better balance between pacing and narrative development.

Recommendation Guide: Who Should Watch

Highly Recommended For:

• Horror enthusiasts seeking authentic supernatural thrills
• Fans of Bellamkonda Sreenivas and Anupama Parameswaran
• Viewers who appreciate technical filmmaking excellence
• Audiences interested in Telugu cinema’s genre evolution
• Those seeking horror without comedic interruption

Consider Carefully If:

• You prefer horror-comedy combinations
• You’re sensitive to slow opening sequences
• You expect extensive character backstory development
• You’re looking for traditional mass entertainment elements

Final Verdict: A Worthy Horror Addition

Kishkindhapuri succeeds as a sincere horror thriller that prioritizes authentic supernatural atmosphere over commercial gimmicks. While not perfect, the film demonstrates Telugu cinema’s growing sophistication in genre filmmaking and provides solid entertainment for horror enthusiasts.

The movie’s technical excellence, particularly in sound design and cinematography, combined with improved performances from the lead cast, makes it a worthwhile theatrical and OTT viewing experience. For audiences seeking genuine horror thrills without comedic dilution, Kishkindhapuri delivers satisfying supernatural entertainment that respects both genre conventions and audience intelligence.

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 – A technically proficient horror thriller that marks positive evolution in Telugu supernatural cinema, despite minor pacing and emotional depth limitations.