The title of Srikanth and Sriram's latest venture, Pindam, has sparked heightened curiosity among viewers. Positioned as a horror thriller, the film's intrigue is further elevated by the makers' cautionary note, advising pregnant women and those with sensitive hearts to steer clear of the spine-chilling experience it promises to deliver. The anticipation builds as audiences brace themselves for the mysterious and chilling journey that Pindam is set to embark upon.
Story:
Antony (Srikanth/Sriram), a meticulous accountant employed at a rice mill, decides to relocate his family to a second-hand house in Surlapet. From the moment they step into their new home, shared with Antony's pregnant wife Mary (Kushee Ravi), and their children Sophie, Tara, and Antony's mother, eerie and unsettling occurrences begin to unfold. The unsettling realization dawns upon them that the house is haunted, prompting them to seek the expertise of demonologist Annamma (Eswari Rao). As the plot thickens, intriguing developments emerge, intertwining the narrative with the enigmatic investigator Lokanath (Avasarala Srinivas), adding a layer of curiosity to the unfolding events.
Analysis:
Sriram delivers a captivating performance, portraying a different look and infusing emotional depth into the scenes with expressive acting. Kushee Ravi adeptly captures the essence of her role as a pregnant woman, establishing a convincing chemistry with Sriram. The child artists showcase commendable talent, and Easwari Rao takes on a pivotal role, carrying the film with her intense eyes and powerful expressions, leaving a lasting impact. Avasarala Srinivas, despite limited screen time, delivers a strong on-screen presence, and the supporting cast, including Ravi Varma, play their roles effectively.
Director Sai Kiran Daida introduces an interesting story with a well-executed screenplay. While the narrative starts in an engaging manner, Daida adheres to familiar horror thriller templates, involving lead characters encountering fears and spooky incidents in a haunted house. The first half concludes with a compelling interval, setting the stage for the subsequent events. Although the storyline is somewhat predictable, Daida compensates with a well-crafted screenplay.
The emotional depth of the second-half flashback is commendable but at times feels overdone, laden with routine elements. The climactic twist manages to excite a portion of the audience. For a debut director, Sai Kiran demonstrates decent performance, supported by realistic and natural dialogues. Sirish Prasad's editing could have been more refined, as some scenes dilute the overall screenplay. Satish Manoharan's cinematography effectively captures the scary and horror elements, creating a maximum impact on the big screen. Krishna Saurabh Surampalli's background music adds a thumping quality to the film, complementing the production values that stand at a commendable level.
Verdict:
Sai Kiran Daida, the director of Pindam, skillfully brings attention to the harrowing atrocities against women within the chilling context of a horror film. The concept is commendable, and Daida presents it with an intriguing screenplay. While the foundation is strong, a bit of refinement in the script, along with the incorporation of additional eerie elements, could have elevated the film to a higher echelon of cinematic impact.
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