Laali Raghav, director of the Tamil film Ariyamai, makes his Kannada debut with Sthabda. With the title meaning ‘silence,’ Raghav opts for a psychological thriller to make a solid mark in Kannada cinema. Is he able to captivate and thrill the audience?
The story revolves around Raganna (Raghavendra Rajkumar), an antiquarian who reprimands his assistant (Prashant Siddi) for neglecting the antique items and subsequently entrusts the care of his property and grandchildren to his son-in-law Prathap (Prathap Simha). The plot takes an intriguing turn when Raganna acquires a 100-year-old wooden mirror at a public auction. Once the mirror is installed, peculiarly haunting occurrences begin to plague the house, affecting the children and causing Prathap and his sister-in-law Apsara, also known as Appu (Chaitra Rao), to exhibit strange behaviour. Moreover, Prathap develops rashes, and an unpleasant odor emanates from the mirror, making it challenging for his wife Indu (Harshika Poonacha) to be around him.
Director: Laali Raghav
Cast: Prathap Simha, Harshika Poonacha, Raghavendra Rajkumar, Prashant Sidd, Priyanka, Chaithra Rao, and Madhu
Seeking answers, Prathap turns to a black magician who unveils his past life as Indrasena and the tragic story of his possessive wife Vasumathi (Madhu). Will the family be able to find a solution? Sthabda delves into Prathap’s journey as he strives to rid himself of the cursed mirror.
Director Laali Raghav skillfully weaves mystery and supernatural elements into the film, aiming to captivate the audience until the end. While he succeeds to a certain extent, the film loses its grip on the viewers at certain points, leaving them longing for a stronger resolution.
In terms of performances, Prathap Simha showcases his acting skills admirably, particularly excelling in action scenes, but he could benefit from further honing his craft. Harshika Poonacha, known for her experimentation with different roles, handles her part with ease, shining particularly in a romantic song.
Raghavendra Rajkumar provides solid support, and Chaitra Rao impresses with her on-screen presence. The film is well accompanied by the compositions of Arav Rishik, with lyrics penned by veteran composer and writer Hamasalekha. Cinematographer PVR Swamy deserves appreciation for maintaining the thematic essence of the film.
Overall, Sthabda tells a story that intertwines mystery and supernatural elements, albeit with some slight missteps in execution. Nevertheless, it leaves room for surprise and discovery.