Plot :
The story unfolds in a 1990s Andhra Pradesh village where a scandalous graffiti alleging an affair between two villagers is discovered, followed by their tragic deaths. A police officer (Nandita Swetha) investigates these deaths as homicides. The mystery deepens as similar graffiti surfaces on subsequent Tuesdays, foretelling the death of another couple. Amidst this, a village doctor claims to have seen the deceased girl Shailu ( Payal Rajput) as a devil figure. The tale unravels the connection between Shailu and the murders.
Performances and Technical Aspects
Payal Rajput delivers an unconventional role with remarkable depth, depicting a character grappling with a health disorder. She is heart’ and soul of the film. Nandita Swetha portrays her role as a cop convincingly. Chaitanya Krishna and Divya Pillai, as the village landlord and his wife respectively, excel in their roles. Ajmal Amir appears in a brief cameo. Ravindra Vijay shines as a compassionate doctor, while Ajay Ghosh provides moments of comic relief.
Ajaneesh Loknath’s gripping background score stands out as a highlight, complementing the film’s thriller essence. Additionally, the cinematography and editing contribute to the movie’s overall quality, though the dialogues and production design are passable.
Highlights
The film delves into a less-explored subject in mainstream Telugu cinema, skillfully managing the balance between its concept and avoiding vulgarity. Ajay Bhupathi’s portrayal of Payal’s character evokes empathy, especially by the film’s conclusion. The second half of the movie elucidates Payal Rajput’s backstory and introduces key twists, particularly the impactful climax. The director adeptly saves Payal’s entry for the intermission, using the first half to set the stage for the main story.
Drawbacks
The initial half suffers from inconsistent narration, lacking in gripping moments until the final dramatic phase. Some twists appear contrived, diminishing the impact. Despite strong technical aspects, the movie lacks depth in storytelling during the initial hour. Certain sequences seem poorly presented, hampering the overall flow. Notably, the execution of the noted actor’s cameo lacks depth.
Verdict
“Mangalavaaram” presents a fresh concept with engaging storytelling in its latter half. Payal Rajput’s portrayal stands out, supported by excellent technical values. However, the uneven narrative and lack of gripping moments in the first half restrain its potential. Still, it’s worth a watch for its unique concept and technical finesse.
Rating: 3/5
