Horror-comedy is a genre that demands a fine balance between horror and entertainment. This formula has been widely used in Telugu cinema in recent years. Director Mansa Sharma’s ‘Rakkasa’ also tries to follow the same path, but unfortunately instead of bringing innovation, the film keeps wandering on old and broken paths.
Story: A web of suspense and curses
The story revolves around Veerbabu (Sangeet Shobhan), an NRI who returns to his village, but gets caught up in an old ritual involving a ghost. A curse, some warning signs and the idea of ​​human sacrifice form the main conflict of the story. On paper, this setup leaves plenty of room for suspense, world-building, and emotional stakes. But the film rarely tries to fully explore that possibility. Director Mansa Sharma and her writing team come up with some interesting ideas, but instead of building mythology or tension, the story repeatedly veers down unnecessary paths. Love stories, forced comedy scenes and useless jokes dominate a large portion of the film, causing the film to deviate from its main story. Just as Veerbabu chooses the wrong path at a crucial juncture, Rakasa too keeps straying from the direction she should be heading. The film is based on a familiar idea – a man who challenges superstitions and old rituals. This in itself is not a problem. But without a new approach to storytelling or a unique voice, the film feels like something we’ve seen many times before.
Acting: Poor writing overshadowed the hard work of the actors.
What saves the film from sinking are the performances of its cast:
Sangeet Shobhan: He looks quite comfortable as Veerbabu. His comic timing is good and in the second half he tries his best to bring life to the film.
Nayan Sarika: She has played her role well, though her character lacks depth.
Comedy Brigade: Venela Kishore’s entry has given some relief to the film. Veteran artists like Getup Srinu and Brahmaji have also tried their best, but their efforts went in vain due to bad jokes.
Veteran actors: Big names like Tanikela Bharani and Ashish Vidyarthi make their mark even in small roles.
The Weak Link: Where the movie fails
Slow start and forced comedy: The first half of the movie is quite boring. Comedy scenes also seem forced and test the audience’s patience instead of making them laugh. The story often deviates from the main issue (ghosts and curses) and gets bogged down in unnecessary love affairs and unnecessary jokes. After showing the villain as a major force, the film finally resorts to a clichéd emotional drama, which loses the impact of the entire film. Anudeep Dev’s music and background score disappoint. Sometimes the noise becomes so loud that it irritates the ears instead of creating an atmosphere.
Technical aspects: some good, some average
The production design of the film is commendable, especially the fort scenes shown in the second half. Cinematography also does justice to the atmosphere. However, the film’s VFX (Visual Effects) could have been better, which is essential for a horror film.
Conclusion: Should you watch this movie?
‘Rakasa’ is a film that promises something different, but ultimately falls into the trap of the same old ‘haunted mansion’ and some creepy characters. If you are a fan of Sangeet Shobhan or just want to watch a horror-comedy to pass the time, check this out. But if you are looking for a new or hair-raising story, this movie might disappoint you.
Rating: 2/5