Movie Name : Bhairavam
Release Date : May 30, 2025
Cast : Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas, Nara Rohith, Manchu Manoj, Aditi Shankar, Anandhi, Divya Pillai, JayaSudha etc.
Director : Vijay Kanakamedala
Music Director : Sricharan Pakala
Telugumopo.com Rating : 2.5/5
Story:
Based in the spiritually blessed village of Devipuram, the narrative is centered on the hallowed Varahi Amma temple, which carries a history of centuries. The temple’s tradition is lovingly preserved by the noble lineage, and the present onus lies with Gajapathi Varma (acted by Manchu Manoj), the son of the veteran trustee of the temple.
Stalwartly standing by Gajapathi is Srinu (played by Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas), an orphan who has been brought up under the shelter of Gajapathi. The relationship between the two is deep-rooted, with Srinu considering Gajapathi not only as a caretaker, but as his whole world. The two are well supported by Varadha (played by Nara Rohith), a placid and composed personality who forms this triumvirate. As a group, they maintain peace and security for their village.
However, the calm is soon shattered when a corrupt Endowments Minister (Sharath Lohitashwa) targets the temple’s land, valued at over ₹1,000 crore. Sensing an opportunity during a vulnerable phase in Gajapathi’s life, the minister weaves a deceptive plot to seize the land through Gajapathi’s unwitting involvement. This betrayal begins to tear apart the bond between Gajapathi and Varadha, sparking conflict and mistrust.
In the middle are Srinu—torn between his devotion to the man who brought him up and the harsh reality unfolding before him. With emotions running high and stakes involved, Srinu’s decisions prove decisive. Which direction will he take? Will he keep safe the legacy of the temple and save the friendship between his two dearest friends? The rest of the story delves into these turns of events and emotional changes.
Review:
Bellamkonda Sreenivas delivers a performance packed with mass appeal. His character connects strongly with front-row audiences, particularly in intense action and emotional sequences. He stands out in the interval episode where he’s possessed and in the climactic moments. His expressions and energy during these scenes add significant impact, making his performance a standout.
Nara Rohith returns to the screen with a subdued and poised performance. He effectively captures a middle-aged man of integrity, infusing the character with quiet strength and emotional maturity. Far removed from directorial duties for years, Rohith’s confidence and command haven’t waned, and he recalls audience memories of the rare calm he brings to hot-headed drama.
Manchu Manoj returns with a bang playing a role with shades. His delivery of dialogues, helped by his deep base voice, lends depth to his character. Although a couple of scenes tend to go a bit too overboard, Manoj is perfectly at home with the story’s dramatic pitch and lends gravity where required.
Aditi Shankar, playing Bellamkonda’s romantic lead, doesn’t quite leave a strong impression. Her character lacks emotional resonance, and the styling doesn’t complement her screen presence. Unfortunately, her track also feels underwhelming and disconnected from the main plot.
Meanwhile, Anandhi and Divya Pillai fit their roles effectively and contribute meaningfully to the narrative. Jayasudha and Sampath Raj are adequate in supporting parts, lending the story some emotional weight. As for the villains, Sharath Lohitashwa and Ajay handle their negative roles well and bring a solid antagonistic edge to the story.
Bhairavam begins with an energetic introduction of its three heroines—Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas, Nara Rohith and Manchu Manoj—which sets the tone for a mass entertainer very early on. Director Vijay Kanakamedala spends more of the first half on the backstory of the secondary characters and focuses on the love track between Bellamkonda and Aditi Shankar thus slowing down the pace during the first half.
As the narrative progresses towards the interval, the story builds up with a high-octane, adrenaline-filled sequence that sets expectations for the second half. The second half of the movie sustains this energy by bringing in interesting turns and a devotional turn that provides emotional depth to the story.
The action sequences are executed well and are a treat for commercial cinema fans, and emotional moments scattered in between give it a good balance. The pre-climax is nicely layered with tension but fails miserably in the climax, rendering the conclusion flat.
Sricharan Pakala’s background score adds value to many crucial moments but does not have any lasting impact on songs, and sometimes they jar the film’s pace, even though they are presented with a lot of energy.
On the technical side, Bhairavam excels with robust production values and pleasing visuals. With a more taut screenplay and a better climax, the movie might have left a much deeper impact on audiences.
Bhairavam offers a solid mix of mass action, emotional moments, and devotional themes, powered by strong performances from Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas, Nara Rohith, and Manchu Manoj. While the film excels in its high-energy sequences and heartfelt scenes, a sluggish first half and a weak climax hold it back from being a complete entertainer. With tighter editing and a stronger conclusion, Bhairavam could have been a more impactful watch. Still, fans of commercial action dramas will find enough to enjoy in this visually rich and well-produced film.