Kishkindhapuri (2025)

Telugu cinema’s horror landscape received a significant boost with the release of “Kishkindhapuri” on September 12, 2025. Directed by Koushik Pegallapati and starring Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas, this supernatural thriller has managed to captivate audiences with its expertly crafted scares and compelling storyline. With an impressive 8.8/10 rating from over 21,000 viewers, the film has established itself as one of the year’s standout horror productions.

Movie Overview

Category	Details
Title	Kishkindhapuri
Release Date	September 12, 2025
Runtime	2 hours 5 minutes
Language	Telugu
Genre	Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Rating	A (Adults Only)
Format	2D
Director	Koushik Pegallapati
User Rating	8.8/10 (21.4K votes)
Total Reviews	10.1K reviews

Plot Summary and Horror Elements

“Kishkindhapuri” centers around a ghost walking tour that transforms from harmless entertainment into a nightmare of survival. The story follows a group of paranormal enthusiasts who venture into an abandoned radio station, unaware that their curiosity will unleash something far more dangerous than they could have imagined.

The film’s premise taps into the universal fear of abandoned places and the unknown. What begins as an organized tour designed to provide thrills quickly becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse when the group accidentally awakens a vengeful spirit that has been dormant within the radio station’s walls.

The abandoned radio station serves as more than just a setting; it becomes a character in its own right. The building’s history and the events that led to its abandonment are gradually revealed through the narrative, creating layers of mystery that enhance the horror experience. The spirit that haunts these halls isn’t merely seeking to frighten visitors – it has a specific agenda rooted in past injustices and unfinished business.

As the story unfolds, the group members find themselves isolated and hunted, with each attempting to understand the spirit’s motivations while fighting for their survival. The film explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of disturbing forces that should remain undisturbed.

Cast Performances and Character Development

Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas delivers what many consider his finest performance to date in the lead role. His portrayal of a character caught between skepticism and growing terror showcases his evolution as an actor. Srinivas effectively conveys the transition from confident tour participant to desperate survivor, maintaining audience engagement throughout the film’s intense sequences.

Anupama Parameswaran brings depth and authenticity to her role, providing both emotional anchor and intelligent problem-solving to the group dynamic. Her character’s development from curious participant to resourceful survivor adds layers to the narrative beyond simple horror elements.

Tanikella Bharani contributes his veteran presence to the film, likely playing a character with deeper knowledge of the radio station’s dark history. His experience in handling complex roles adds gravitas to the supernatural elements of the story.

Hyper Aadi provides moments of levity that prevent the film from becoming overwhelmingly dark, while also contributing to the group’s dynamic during crisis situations. His comic timing, even in horror contexts, helps maintain audience engagement.

The supporting cast, including Sudarshan, Makarand Deshpande, and Srikanth Iyyengar, creates a believable ensemble that represents different personality types thrown together in extraordinary circumstances. Each character serves a specific purpose in the narrative structure while contributing to the overall tension.

Direction and Technical Excellence

Koushik Pegallapati demonstrates remarkable skill in his directorial approach, creating genuine scares without relying solely on jump scares or gore. His understanding of horror cinematography and pacing keeps audiences on edge while building sustained tension throughout the film’s two-hour runtime.

The director’s choice to use the abandoned radio station setting effectively maximizes the location’s inherent creepiness. Every corridor, room, and shadow seems carefully planned to enhance the supernatural atmosphere while serving the story’s progression.

Chaitan Bharadwaj’s musical composition deserves special recognition, with audiences consistently praising the background score and sound design. The music doesn’t merely accompany the action; it becomes an integral part of the horror experience, building tension and providing emotional cues that enhance viewer immersion.

Niranjan Devaramane’s editing maintains crisp pacing that balances character development with horror sequences. The film never feels rushed or unnecessarily prolonged, with each scene contributing meaningfully to the overall narrative arc.

Audience Reception and Popular Response

The film has garnered an exceptional response from horror enthusiasts, with over 10,100 reviews contributing to its strong 8.8/10 rating. The most frequently used hashtags by viewers reveal what audiences appreciate most:

• #SuperDirection (5,223 mentions)
• #Blockbuster (4,589 mentions)
• #GreatActing (4,363 mentions)
• #Wellmade (4,182 mentions)
• #AwesomeStory (4,103 mentions)
• #WowMusic (3,086 mentions)

These statistics indicate that audiences particularly value the film’s technical craftsmanship and storytelling quality. The emphasis on direction and music in viewer feedback suggests that the film succeeds in creating an atmospheric horror experience rather than relying on cheap thrills.

Many reviewers have specifically praised the background music and sound effects, with one viewer noting it as “the best movie of Bellam anna” and highlighting the “blockbuster” quality of the overall production. The consistent mention of direction quality suggests that Koushik Pegallapati has successfully created a cohesive vision that resonates with audiences.

Horror Genre Innovation

“Kishkindhapuri” represents a significant step forward for Telugu horror cinema by focusing on atmospheric scares and psychological tension rather than conventional horror tropes. The film’s approach to supernatural elements feels fresh within the regional cinema context while maintaining universal appeal.

The abandoned radio station setting provides unique opportunities for both visual and audio-based scares, utilizing the location’s broadcasting equipment and infrastructure to create innovative frightening sequences. This setting choice demonstrates the filmmakers’ commitment to finding new ways to present familiar horror concepts.

Technical Aspects and Production Values

The film’s production values stand out as particularly impressive for a regional horror production. The set design and cinematography work together to create an authentically creepy atmosphere that supports the supernatural narrative without feeling artificial or overdone.

Sound design plays a crucial role in the film’s success, with the audio elements creating an immersive experience that extends beyond the visual scares. The use of radio static, electronic interference, and ambient sounds from the abandoned station adds layers to the horror experience.

Box Office Performance and Commercial Success

The film’s strong audience ratings and positive word-of-mouth have contributed to sustained box office performance. Horror films often face challenges in maintaining audience interest beyond opening weekend, but “Kishkindhapuri” appears to have overcome this hurdle through quality storytelling and genuine scares.

The A rating, while limiting the potential audience to adults only, has been appropriate for the film’s content and has allowed the filmmakers to create more intense horror sequences without compromise.

Comparison to Contemporary Horror Cinema

“Kishkindhapuri” stands favorably when compared to recent horror releases in Indian cinema. Its focus on atmospheric horror and character development sets it apart from films that rely primarily on shock value or gore. The film demonstrates that regional horror cinema can compete with larger productions when given proper direction and technical support.

The movie’s success may encourage more filmmakers to explore horror themes with similar dedication to craft and storytelling, potentially elevating the entire genre within Telugu cinema.

Critical Analysis and Themes

Beyond its surface-level scares, “Kishkindhapuri” explores deeper themes about curiosity, respect for the unknown, and the consequences of disturbing forces beyond human understanding. The film suggests that some places and spirits should remain undisturbed, regardless of human curiosity or entertainment value.

The radio station setting serves as a metaphor for communication beyond the physical world, with the abandoned equipment becoming a conduit for supernatural contact. This thematic element adds intellectual depth to the horror experience.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

“Kishkindhapuri” succeeds as both an effective horror film and a well-crafted piece of cinema. The combination of strong performances, particularly from Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas, excellent direction from Koushik Pegallapati, and outstanding technical work creates a horror experience that satisfies both casual viewers and genre enthusiasts.

The film’s greatest strengths lie in its atmospheric horror approach, outstanding background score, and commitment to storytelling over cheap scares. While the two-hour runtime might seem lengthy for a horror film, the pacing and character development justify the length.

For horror fans seeking genuine scares combined with quality filmmaking, “Kishkindhapuri” offers an excellent cinematic experience. The film demonstrates that Telugu cinema can produce horror content that competes with the best in Indian cinema when approached with proper vision and execution.

The overwhelmingly positive audience response, reflected in both ratings and detailed reviews, positions “Kishkindhapuri” as a standout horror film of 2025. It represents not just successful entertainment but a benchmark for future horror productions in regional Indian cinema.

Horror enthusiasts and fans of Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas will find “Kishkindhapuri” to be a rewarding viewing experience that delivers on both scares and storytelling, making it a worthy addition to any horror film lover’s must-watch list.