Movie Name : Sabdham
Release Date : February 28, 2025
Cast : Aadhi, Lakshmi Menon,Simran, Laila, Redin Kingsley, MS Baskar, Rajiv Menon, Vivek Prasanna etc.
Director : Arivazhagan Venkatachalam
Music Director : Thaman S
Telugumopo.com Rating : 2.5/5
Story:
Holy Angel College is terror-stricken as mysterious student deaths continue to haunt the campus. The sudden death of Mukesh and Swetha has fueled bizarre rumors of otherworldly activity. Desperate to discover the truth, the college management hires the services of acclaimed ghost hunter Vyuma Vaidyalingam (Aadhi Pinisetty).
When Vyuma starts investigating, he finds Avantika (Lakshmi Menon), a stubborn student engaged in a thesis that questions the existence of ghosts. But there is something different about her as well, introducing another mystery in the case.
The suspense rises further when a student, Deepika, falls victim to her death. In fear gripping the college, Vyuma is running against time to uncover the mystery. Who is responsible for the deaths? Is there a ghostly presence in the campus or something more ominous?
Further fueling the suspense, Diana’s (Simran) role, along with those of Daniel and Nancy Daniel (Laila), have vital links to the terrorizing happenings. Vyuma uncovers surprising facts while delving deep, and a shocking revelation comes forth in this haunting supernatural thriller.
Review:
Aadhi Pinisetty gives an electrifying performance in Sabdham, keeping himself totally absorbed in the character of a paranormal researcher. His intense presence on screen, emotive body language, and strong delivery of lines bring richness to the story, making him the backbone of the film.
Lakshmi Menon acts efficiently as a doctor, adding a natural touch to the character with restrained expressions and dialogue. Simran, who is playing a central character driving the plot, displays strong acting abilities, but her on-screen appearance appears to be a bit aged. Laila, who is acting as an Anglo-Indian woman, tries to bring novelty to the character but fails to make a strong impression.
Redin Kingsley adds a bit of humor to the movie with his funny faces and one-liners, providing little relief from the tension.
Director Arivazhagan brings to the table an intriguing idea, delving into the two sides of sound as a beneficial and damaging force. The film gets off to a good start, enthralling viewers with the spooky vibe. The interval surprise completes the mystery intrigue, leading to a thrilling second half. But the pace falters after the interval as the screenplay turns the attention to flashbacks and emotional content, and the story turns predictable once the mystery is out.
A better-written screenplay with more turns could have made the film even more impactful. Though the dialogues are nicely written, the second half’s pacing impacts the overall experience to some extent.
Thaman’s background score is also important in heightening the horror aspects, making key scenes intense with a spooky impact. At times, though, it does appear a mite overwhelming. The movie keeps the number of songs small so that the suspenseful plot can take center stage. Good production values and interesting visuals contribute to the overall cinematic value.
Overall, Sabdham is a gripping horror thriller with an original plot. Aadhi Pinisetty’s gripping performance, aided by robust technical elements, makes the movie worth watching. With a better structured second half, the film would have been even more effective.
