Horror, Sci-fi, Comedy, Drama - Taxiwala can’t seem to decide on a genre to stick to. However, those who aren’t particular about that would enjoy the film. One second you’re dropping your popcorn over a jump-scare, and the next you are in splits over the comic track. Whichever it might be, Taxiwala keeps you engaged. 

Cast: Vijay Devarakonda, Priyanka Jawalkar, Malavika Nair
Director: Rahul Sankrityayan

Shiva, a carefree youth moves to the city and becomes a cab driver to earn money for his family - his brother and his wife. He becomes attached to the car he buys. After a series of eerie incidents, he figures that there is something supernatural that controls the car. And so, he sets out to dig into the car’s history.

It almost feels like the filmmaker knows that the story is predictable, which is probably why it is loaded with montages and unrelated comedy sequences. They do work, so no complaints there. While the first half of the film keeps you on the edge of the seat, both with Shiva’s blossoming relationship with the sentient car and the occasional shockers, by the second half you just keep wishing the story progressed faster. But the fun and games don’t end, even when the plot calls for it.

Vijay Devarakonda does what he does best. However, I must say his body language and look feel too refined to pass off as a lower-middle-class youth who sold his family’s gold to become a cab driver. Priyanka Jawalkar does what she can in the little role she has. She is certainly a fresh face to watch out for. Malavika Nair excels as the troubled teenager and will be the one you remember when you leave the theatre, even more than the lead cast.

The film is essentially a formulaic horror-comedy that we have all seen before, with a few elements replaced and redone, here and there. But these well-thought-out elements work in the film’s favour. If you can digest illogical comedy right alongside advanced science, you won’t have any issues with this film.

For what it's worth, Taxiwala does entertain you and tells an engaging story while at it.