Directors: Venkat Kalyan and Abhishek Jaiswal
Author: Venkat Kalyan
Cast: Sudhir Babu, Sonakshi Sinha, Divya Khosla, Shilpa Shirodkar, Indira Krishna, Rajeev Kanakala, Ravi Prakash, Rohit Pathak, Jhansi, Subhalekha Sudhakar
Add Zee News as favorite source
Rating: 4
Duration: 135 minutes
Zee Studios and Prerna Arora join their creative forces to create this exciting and expansive universe of Jatadhara, a supernatural mythological thriller that dares to connect science, spirituality and the ancient mysticism of India. Directed by the duo of Venkat Kalyan and Abhishek Jaiswal, the film is set against the mysterious Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple, telling a story about its hidden treasures and the evil forces that guard it, and for the first time in mainstream Indian cinema, the team has pushed surrealism into realistic space, using actual tantric rituals and mantras. This is as real as it can get!
The supernatural thriller captivates its audience from the first scene, the mood of wonder, thrill and horror is set from the opening act, and keeps the experience going till the end credits. The narrative presents rich symbolism, which we all know well, but which has never been presented on such a large scale before.
The makers tackle the intriguing subject matter of spirituality and mythology with honesty and visual elegance.
South sensation Sudheer Babu is seen in a never before seen avatar, he plays the role of Shiva, a modern ghost hunter who believes in logic and facts and not the supernatural, but soon his journey from unbeliever to awakened consciousness becomes the emotional backbone of the story. She is strong, charming and emotionally charged in her performance, making it the best of her career so far.
On the other end of the spectrum is newcomer Sonakshi Sinha, who plays the role of Dhana Pisachi, a tormented soul haunted by greed and sorrow, and this is her Telugu debut. She is picture perfect in every frame, she is loud and scary, yet beautiful and powerful. She transforms into the demonic goddess with effortless ease, which is one of the most talked-about moments of the film.
The established and experienced ensemble cast including veterans Shilpa Shirodkar, Divya Khosla and Indira Krishna bring warmth and balance. While Rajeev Kanakala, Ravi Prakash, and Subhalekha Sudhakar anchor the film with realistic, heartfelt performances to balance out the scale of the film’s grand mythology.
The film is written by Venkat Kalyan, the screenplay revolves around a forbidden ritual called Pisacha Bandhanam, which binds spirits to guard lost treasure – which is thrilling and engaging, and the writer combines ancient folklore with modern logic with a strong grasp.
Shyam Babu Meriga and Sai Krishna Karne wrote the dialogues, and no heaviness is used throughout the film. The dialogues are poignant and sharp. The author duo strikes a balance between philosophical reflection and emotional resonance.
Cinematographer Sameer Kalyani also breathes life into the visual scope of the film, his use of light and shadow and attention to detail a joy to watch.
Huge praise for the visual effects, they deserve a standing ovation. While being royal, keeping supernatural realism intact.
The music and BGM design are nothing short of rhythmic trance. Rajeev Raj’s score infuses classic ragas with subtle electronic notes. The music, especially during the climactic confrontation, pulses with power and emotion. Tracks like “Shiva Stotram” and “Pallo Latke Again” are filled with powerful energy and emotion that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Choreographer Sandeep has woven an absolutely hypnotizing temple dance sequence, oozing devotion and intensity with Divya Khosla at the helm. The action portion of the film is fantastic, the action choreography impresses with its mix of physical combat and supernatural elements.
Jatadhara is a marvel that transforms mythology into something vivid and real with stunning visuals, soulful music and performances that both fascinate and provoke reflection.