The Telugu supernatural thriller Agadha, directed by veteran filmmaker MS Raju and starring Kamakshi Bhaskarla in the lead role, has arrived in theatres. Centred on occult practices, ancestral curses, and spiritual exorcism, the film marks a distinct departure for its director. Initial reviews from film critics present a divided opinion, praising the movie’s visual atmospheric design and lead performance while pointing out narrative shortcomings in its second half .
‘Agadha’ Receives Mixed Response from Critics
Film critics have generally highlighted Agadha as an ambitious attempt to weave Indian folklore and rural mysticism into a modern horror framework. Reviewers praised the film’s strong world-building during the first half, noting that the mystery surrounding the supernatural entity builds steady tension. Kamakshi Bhaskarla’s performance as Mahadevi, a woman endowed with spiritual powers, has been widely lauded as the film’s primary anchor.
Additionally, Rakesh Venkatapuram’s background score and Nani Chamidisetty’s cinematography were commended for elevating the eerie atmosphere. However, the response turns far more critical regarding the film’s pacing and narrative resolution. Multiple outlets noted that the momentum established early on slows down in the second half as the plot relies on heavy exposition to explain its underlying lore.
“Overall, Agadha follows a familiar horror template but attempts to give it a fresh identity through its mythology, performances and CGI. While the first half builds genuine curiosity, the second half settles into a predictable narrative. Still, Sai Kamakshi Bhaskarla’s performance, along with the strong potential shown by Jovika Vijayakumar, makes the film worth a watch for audiences who enjoy supernatural horror.”
“Agadha arrives with an underdog advantage. One does not expect much, going by director MS Raju’s modest track record. In this film, he has banked on a young team to deliver the goods. On the surface, it has the staple ingredients of a rustic horror tale, with occult rituals, hymns, long-bearded sages and even older belief systems, but it is staged with flair. The impressive craft in Agadha is undeniable, but does that make it a genuinely satisfying, value-for-money horror film? Not quite.”
“Agadha is a horror thriller with supernatural and divine elements. It is not a great film, but it offers a few thrills and scary moments here and there. Kamakshi Bhaskarla and Jovika deliver strong performances, while the technical aspects, particularly the cinematography and graphics, are impressive. Overall, while the predictable story and cliched screenplay hold the film back, Agadha works as a passable thriller.”
More About ‘Agadha’
Directed by MS Raju, traditionally known for family dramas and romantic entertainers, Agadha represents his leap into spiritual horror. Produced by Kasi Visalakshi Balusu under Sri Adi Varaha Productions, the film carries a runtime of approximately 137 minutes. The plot follows Mahadevi, a spiritually gifted woman who investigates a series of unexplained deaths within her family following the mysterious suicide of her cousin.
Her search leads her to a remote, haunted cave region near the Chhattisgarh border and brings her face-to-face with a dark supernatural entity known as Agadha.
Alongside Kamakshi Bhaskarla, the ensemble cast features Shravan Reddy, Ulka Gupta, Jovika Vijaykumar, and Bhanu Chander. Editing for the project was handled by Junaid Siddiqui.