Sabdham is Aadi Pinisetty’s new film that stars Simran and Laila in key roles. The film is a horror thriller with SS Thaman as the background score. The film was directed by Arivazhagan and has hit the screens today. Read our review here.
Story:
A medical college in Munnar experiences a series of mysterious deaths, prompting the management to bring in a paranormal expert named Vyooma (Aadhi Pinisetty) to uncover the truth behind these eerie incidents. As Vyooma begins his investigation, he discovers that a doctor named Avantika (Lakshmi Menon) is also possessed by a spirit. As he digs deeper into the mystery, he unravels a shocking truth about an evil spirit responsible for the chaos. Who is this spirit? What is her backstory, and what is the cause of these deaths? To uncover the answers, watch the film on the big screen.
What about on-screen performances?
It is good to see Aadhi Pinisetty in a good role after a long gap. His deep voice, screen presence, and solid performance are good in the film.
There are a lot of close-up shots and Aadhi had to perform so well with his expressions, and boy, he has done so well in the film.
Lakshmi Menon was good in her role and did what was required. Simran gets a key role and has a lot to showcase. It is good to see her in a performance-oriented role after a long gap and she was decent.
Laila is given a crazy role and she will shock you with her performance. Though she enters late in the scene, Laila is amazing in her role. The supporting cast is also okay and does their jobs well.
What about off-screen talents?
Sabdham was written and directed by Arivazhagan, and his work is passable. He explores the concept of sound and its ability to heal people. To this intriguing idea, he adds a horror angle and presents it decently.
The writing is strong, and all the key revelations unfold solidly in the film’s second half. Sabdham boasts terrific production values. From the production design to the cinematography, every aspect is well-crafted, immersing the audience in a unique world.
One of the film’s biggest highlights is Thaman’s outstanding background score. The way he elevates the thrills is on another level. A good theater setup is essential to fully experience the film’s remarkable sound design.
The film starts on a slow note, and at times, one might feel impatient, wondering when the narrative will reach its main conflict. There is too much detail which was not needed at all.
Also, the story is a bit confusing and does not sit with you easily. Only when the second half starts and when the flashback episode is rolled out, do things make some sense.
The emotional depth, particularly in Simran’s character should have been better. The editing and Telugu dubbing are top-notch. Laila’s entry and the way her character unfolds could have been planned better.
However, one feels that if the film had been trimmed by at least ten minutes, its impact would have been even stronger and made the film even more gripping.
Positives:
- Thaman’s BGM
- Production design
- Aadhi Pisetty’s performance
Negatives:
- Slow Start
- Lack of clarity in the first half
- Low on horror
Final Verdict:
Overall, Sabdham is a passable horror thriller that has a decent premise. The film takes time to grow on you but once it does, it thrills you in the second half. All those who like new-age thrillers can give the film a shot.
Telugubulletin.com Rating: 2.75/5