Movie Name : Shanmukha
Release Date : Mar 21, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.25/5
Starring : Aadi Sai Kumar, Avika Gor, Aditya Om, Chirag Jani, Shanmugam Sappani, Master Manu Sappani, Manoj Aadi, Veera Shankar, Krishnudu
Director : Shanmugam Sappani
Producers : Tulasi Ram Sappani, Shanmugam Sappani, Ramesh Yadav
Music Director : Ravi Basrur
Cinematographer : R.R. Vishnu
Editor : MA Malik
Related Links : Trailer
Shanmukha is the latest film featuring Aadi Saikumar in the lead role, with Avika Gor as the female lead. The movie hits theaters today. Read the review to see how it fares.
Story:
Born with six heads and a deformed face, Shanmukha is the son of Viganda (Chirag Jani), who turns to black magic in a desperate attempt to heal him. Meanwhile, investigative journalist Sara Maheswaran (Avika Gor) uncovers a disturbing pattern – young women are missing, and their boyfriends are dying under mysterious circumstances in Hyderabad. She teams up with SI Karthik Vallabhan (Aadi Saikumar) to dig deeper. As they investigate, a new kidnapping case unravels shocking connections, leading to unexpected revelations. How are these cases linked to Viganda and Shanmukha? What sinister forces are at play? The film unfolds these answers.
Plus Points:
Aadi Saikumar delivers a nice performance as a determined police officer, particularly excelling in the flashback portions. Avika Gor is adequate in her role, and she looks appealing in the college sequences. Their on-screen chemistry works to an extent. Supporting actors, including Om Aditya and Chirag Jani, do a fair job.
Minus Points:
While the film’s premise has potential, its execution is flawed. The screenplay, though pacy, is disjointed and confusing. A dialogue in the movie states, “I feel like I understand it, but I actually don’t,” which ironically sums up the narration.
What should have been a straightforward story is unnecessarily tangled with an incoherent screenplay, making it difficult to follow. Weak dialogues fail to add weight, and sharper writing could have made the film more engaging.
Despite Ravi Basrur’s reputation, the background score falls short. Some portions are too loud, while others fail to match the film’s tone, making it feel inconsistent.
Underdeveloped characters and illogical scenes further weaken the impact. More refined storytelling could have made Shanmukha at least a passable thriller.
Technical Aspects:
Debut director Shanmugam Sappani aims for an intense crime drama but struggles with narration. A more structured screenplay could have elevated the film.
R.R. Vishnu’s cinematography is serviceable, but Ravi Basrur’s music is a disappointment. The production values are decent, though MA Malik’s editing could have ensured better pacing.
Verdict:
On the whole, Shanmukha starts with an intriguing idea but loses its way with a convoluted screenplay. Despite Aadi Saikumar’s efforts, weak character development and inconsistent storytelling make it a disappointing watch. Exploring other entertainment options might be a better choice this weekend.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.25/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team