'Kalavathi' is a case of the genre overtaking the story.  In his attempt to make a horror-comedy, Sundar C is too faithful to a fault!  That said, the film has its moments, especially the heart-wrenching flashback.

Set in a village, the film begins with conveying the spiritual significance of installing a huge idol of a Goddess and even as the spiritual quotient gives way to a pause, the horror element makes its entry, scaring the daylights out of the Zamindar (played by Radha Ravi).  He is hospitalized and in come his son Siddharth and his fiance Trisha.  The mysterious happenings in the palatial house confound Sid and he eventually is taken into custody for a crime he did not do.  Enter Sundar C, Trisha's brother, at the behest of Sid to crack the mystery.  Apparently, the family is haunted.  The rest of the film is about why Kala is seething with rage and how she is tamed.

A done-to-death story line yes, but it could have been evolved into an entirely different film.  The flashback presents an interesting plot, a strong emotional core.  It should have been Siddharth getting a lion's share in averting the existential threat and the character of Sundar could have been totally avoided.  The element of brother-sister sentiment should have been leveraged fully rather than resorting to the same old formula of 'mantriks' deployed for the sake of the climax!  That Sid's fiance becomes an instrument could have made this an even more interesting proposition.

Nevertheless, the second half is fairly interesting.  Hansika Motwani walks away with honours.  She is very realistic in her performance for the time that she is there.  The next big stars have to be Kovai Sarala, Soori, and Manobala.  Except for Soori, the other two hold good appeal for the Telugu audience.  The comedy track gets meaty in the second half because it is here that the spirit is engaged with the quirky characters!

One feels greater amount of attention could have been given to the Sid-Trisha pairing.  The chemistry is sketchy and one has to do with a half-hearted number that comes immediately after a scare show.

Poonam Bajwa's presence is a plus and her characterization reminds one of Nayanatara's from 'Chandramukhi'.  Subbu Panchu's character is another surprise.

Sundar C's audience look up to him as a director who gets quirky characters on board in telling a serious-minded story.  The series of spine chilling murders and scary images that torment the inmates were more imaginative in 'Chandrakala' and such elements do not go the whole hog here.  With the visuals not being first-rate, one waits for a good dose of emotional coaster, only to be left in the lurch.

A huge palace, a couple of glamorous ladies, an unusual family - they are all there.  As for the palace, the art work and the cinematography could have been better; sometimes, some scenes seem to have been shot at the same place within the building!  A not-so-evil spirited mindset of Chandrakala has been transformed into an unforgiving one here.

As for the performances, most of them pass the muster, barring Hansika and Kovai Sarala who are on a higher pedeastal.  Siddharth is a capable actor who is too understated to the point of coming across as deadpan.  After a heart-searing flashback, all that he does is emote like a boy friend who just had a tiff with his girl friend!  Trisha has some moments with the comedienne.  Poonam is to be watched out for.  Soori is no Santhanam, but he is okay.

The technical departments could have been better.   Hiphop Tamizha's music could have been less loud to suit the Telugu nativity better.  Senthil Kumar's cinematography passes muster, but the lighting is not flawless.  The run-time is alright!

Verdict: A horror-comedy with its share of light-veined moments, a good flashback, and a fairly engaging second half.

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