‘Tantiram: Tales of Shivakasi Chapter 1’ Review

Starring Srikanth Gurram, Priyanka Sharma, Avinash Yelandur, ‘Tantiram: Tales of Shivakasi Chapter 1’ is the latest release at the Telugu box office. Directed by Muthyala Meher Deepak, the film was produced by Srikanth Kandragula under Cinemabandi Productions. Ajay Arasada scored the music while Sirugudi Vamsi Srinivas is the cinematographer. Let’s see if the film has any juice in it in this review.

One fine evening, Vijay narrates an untold story of a man named Balachandran to his intoxicated friends. Balachandran (played by Srikanth Gurram) works at his family-owned firecracker manufacturing factory at Alikkavur near Sivakasi. He hated women because of the reason that her mother once eloped with a man when he was a child. With much persuasion of his father, Balachandran marries a beautiful girl named Alagini (Priyanka Sharma) from his village. But his hatred towards women never subsides thus making him a repulsive man. One day, a supernatural being named Jinn (Genie) appears before him leaving Balachandran perplexed. Why is it trying to contact Balachandran? Will this connection with a supernatural entity from the parallel world help Balachandran? How his life change post the incident? — is the story in a gist. 

Analysis

The movie starts with an interesting premise of a mythological story of how Ahalya transformed into a stone. However the director creates interest among audiences by giving an introduction of the real supernatural entities. Balachandran and Alagani are the only two main characters who drive the movie forward. Both the characters look impressive on the screen. Senior character artiste Avinash Yelandur appears in an extended cameo. Both Priyanka and Srikanth have done justice to their roles.

Director Meher steered the film to perfection by raising curiosity in the first half hour. The eerie locations and suspenseful music give a chill down your spine. But the characters take their own time to set the right mood for the story to chug off. The principal character Balachandran, who wishes to be in solitude overseeing his father’s firecracker business, suddenly gets a jolt when some external beings of different realms try to communicate with him.

Then the romantic track between Balachandran and Alagini is impressive. It appears that makers have focused more on the second chapter because a few questions in the first chapter remained unanswered. They could have probably revealed the mystery of Genie in the first chapter itself. However, the film has the required suspense and thrill to bind the audience in their chairs.

Performances

Srikanth Gurram as Balachandran has nailed the performance. Actress Priyanka too has put up a brilliant performance as Alagini. Avinash Yelandur too is good in his portions.

Music and technicalities

Music rendered by Ajay Arasada has infused soul into the story. The music just before Jinns gets to communicate with Balachandran creates an eerie feeling. The cinematography from Vamsi Srinivas is laudable. The scenic locations of Sivakasi were beautifully captured.

What’s good
Premise
Performances
Storyline & making

What’s bad
Stretchy in a few portions

Bottomline

Tantiram: Tales of Shivakasi Chapter 1 is not a regular genre that we see every weekend. Director Meher made an honest attempt to tell a story of extra-terrestrial, supernatural beings trying to contact humans. It has suspense, love, and above all it is executed very well.

Rating
2.75 / 5