Virupaksha Cast: Sai Dharam Tej, Samyukta Menon, Ajay, Sai Chand, Brahmaji, Sunil, Rajiv Kanakala, Soniya Singh
Virupaksha Crew:
Written by Sukumar, Karthik Dandu
Cinematography by Shamdat Sainudeen
Edited by Naveen Nooli
Music by Ajaneesh B. Loknath
Directed by Karthik Dandu
Produced by BVSN Prasad
Virupaksha Rating: 2.75/5
Virupaksha is the new movie from Sai Dharam Tej. The young actor got into an accident recently and post recovery, this is his first release. Virupaksha is written by Sukumar and Karthik Dandu. Karthik worked as assistant for Sukumar and hence, the director helped him in shaping his story as a script. Samyuktha Menon has been cast in the movie as lady lead. Sai Dharam Tej has stated that Virupaksha is an author-backed script with strong Content. Let’s discuss about the film.
Virupaksha Plot:
Virupaksha starts in a village – Rudravanam. A couple is burnt alive by entire villagers thinking that they are practicing black magic. While being burnt alive, the lady curses the village to become a crematorium in next 12 years. After 12 years, Surya(Sai Dharam Tej) enters into the village with his mother for a fest. During the preparations of the fest, a villager dies in the temple, before shrine. Village pundit(Sai Chand) informs everyone that this is a big calamity. He bans anyone from entering into village or going out. Sarpanch(Rajeev Kanakala) and his daughter Nandini(Samyuktha Menon) help everyone. Meanwhile, a young girl falls in love with a person from neighborhood village and for him crosses the sacred borders. But she and her lover ends up dead. On the other hand, Surya falls in love with Nandini. How will he save Nandini from this threat? Who is working to bring this curse to life? Watch Virupaksha for answers.
Virupaksha Analysis:
Virupaksha tries to talk about blind beliefs in the society. While it creates a fictional village, it doesn’t try to bring any scientific explanation into the story. It stays true to the core of black magic, tantric studies and repercussions due to them. This is one aspect that is impressive in the film. But then it fails to create strong characters for leads. In a generic way, hero falls for heroine. In a very generic way, story progresses without establishing the bond or reason for the bond. Virupaksha has many logical loopholes even within the black magic and tantric universe, it has set-up. Karthik Dandu has imagination and visual clarity but his story seems to be too thin. The scenes and screenplay also doesn’t really have sound logic behind them. Virupaksha seems like it is trying to tell a story of spells and Witcher-men without proper sentiment attached to it.
Sai Dharam Tej seems to have done this movie while he is still recovering. But his performance is apt to what is written for him. Samyuktha got very good scope and she performed well. Virupaksha has character actors like Rajeev Kanakala, Suneel and Sai Chand. But none of them have been given enough meat to let them perform. Their characters just seem like an addition. Ajay did well and looked apt. Shamdat Sainudeen is a highlight for Virupaksha as he created good visual palette and atmosphere. Music by Ajaneesh B. Loknath stands out. Virupaksha is hampered by loose writing and twists that don’t really convince as they seem to have been used for shock value only. Hence, the movie doesn’t reach to the level it aspires still manages to engage for most part of the runtime.
Virupaksha Positives:
Sai Dharam Tej Performance
Samyuktha Menon performance
Visuals by Shamdat Sainudeen
Music and BGM by Ajaneesh B. Loknath
Virupaksha Negatives:
Weak Story
Loopholes in Screenplay
Twists for sake of Shock Value
Unimaginative writing
Virupaksha Bottom-line: Fizzles out after set-up!
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