Release Date : September 20, 2024
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Nandhu, Priya Anand, Ashutosh Rana, Akshara Gowda, Sonia Agarwal, Sudha, Roshan Kanakala, Tejaswi Madivada and others
Director : Anish Yohan Kuruvilla
Producers : Ram Achanta, Gopi Achanta
Music Director : Shakti Kanth Karthik
Cinematographer : Naveen Yadav
Editors : Umair Hasan, Faiz Rai
Related Links : Trailer
The Mystery of Moksha Island is a new Telugu web series on Disney Plus Hotstar. Premiering today, it features notable actors such as Nandhu, Priya Anand, Sonia Agarwal, Ashutosh Rana, and Akshara Gowda in key roles. Check out the review to see how it fares.
Story:
Vishwak Sen (Ashutosh Rana), a renowned scientist, has died, leaving his legacy and company on his private island, Moksha, in question. His team invites family – Sniper Venkat (Nandhu), Jhansi (Priya Anand), Aditi (Sonia Agarwal), Meena (Sudha), Isha (Tejaswi Madivada), and others – who mostly have no prior connection to each other. According to Vishwak’s will, those who spend a week on the island will inherit his property. Maya (Akshara Gowda), another wife of Vishwak, looks after the invitees. However, as days go by, guests begin to disappear and are murdered. Venkat and the others sense something sinister at play. What is really happening on Moksha? Why don’t the family members know each other? Is Vishwak truly dead, or is it all a ruse? Why are people dying? These questions unfold as the series progresses.
Plus Points:
The makers have chosen an interesting story and managed to narrate it well to an extent. The mystery is maintained effectively. The first episode takes off with a fast pace, drawing the audience into the story right away. The next two episodes continue smoothly without any lag or unnecessary drama.
In terms of performances, Nandhu, Priya Anand, and others entertain well within their roles. Priya Anand’s character arc is especially noteworthy, with an unexpected twist that she handles with ease. Roshan Kanakala delivers a surprising performance, portraying a negative character with conviction, and his choice to take on such a bold role is commendable.
Ashutosh Rana and Akshara Gowda also perform their roles convincingly. The supporting cast, including Tejaswi Madiwada, Sudha, and Bhanuchander, do a decent job.
The music adds to the atmosphere, keeping the series interesting, while the production values further enhance the visual appeal.
Minus Points:
Mystery thrillers need to maintain engagement throughout, and stretching the story unnecessarily leads to disappointment. Unfortunately, this happens with The Mystery of Moksha Island.
For avid fans of mystery thrillers, the story becomes predictable early on. However, others might find it okay until the twist is revealed. This is where the writing needed to be sharper, with faster pacing and more twists. The lack of these elements missed the chance to fully engage the audience.
A couple of slow episodes in the middle, unnecessary characters, and irrelevant intimate scenes, along with a less engaging screenplay, reduce the overall impact. Family audiences may also find the inclusion of intimate scenes awkward, as they add no value to the storyline.
Some characters are well-developed, but others fall flat. Additionally, several questions raised during the series remain unanswered. The last two episodes, which should have been crucial, are disappointing due to weak writing. A stronger approach could have turned The Mystery of Moksha Island into a much more compelling thriller.
Technical Aspects:
Anish Yohan Kuruvilla does an okay job, but the last four episodes could have been handled better to keep the audience hooked. Writers Prashant Varma and Sanjay Roy could have crafted a more concise and engaging script. Cinematographer Naveen Yadav and music director Shakthi Kanth Karthik deliver solid work, contributing significantly to the overall experience. The production values are high, adding to the series’ appeal.
Verdict:
On the whole, The Mystery of Moksha Island works only in parts. While Nandhu, Priya Anand, Akshara Gowda, and Ashutosh Rana perform well, a stronger story with better twists, along with a more engaging screenplay, could have made it a much better watch. The slow middle episodes, unnecessary intimate scenes, and lackluster climax detract from the experience. Even if you’re a hardcore fan of the genre, this series may not appeal to you much. Exploring other entertainment options might be a better choice.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team