Shambhala Movie Review: An engaging mystic thriller

Aadi Saikumar has been in search of a strong film for the past several years, and his latest outing Shambhala, which released on December 25 amid stiff competition, gives him a much-needed boost. The film generated a positive buzz before release, thanks to its intriguing promotional content. Directed by Ugandhar Muni, Shambhala is positioned as a mystic thriller with elements of superstition, mythology, and science — genres that have been working well at the Telugu box office lately.

Cast: Aadi Saikumar, Archana Aiyer, Swasika, Rama Raju, Shiju, Meesala Lakshman, Ravi Varma, Annapurna, Harsha Vardhan

Director: Ugandhar Muni

Set in the 1980s, the story unfolds in a remote village called Shambhala. A meteor suddenly falls in the village, triggering a series of bizarre and terrifying incidents. Vikram (Aadi Saikumar), a geologist, is sent by higher authorities to investigate the meteor. A firm believer in science, Vikram dismisses the villagers’ fears and superstitions. Strange events soon begin to shake the village, and the village priest (Rama Raju) believes that a demon has possessed the land and urges the village president (Shiju AR) to take drastic steps. Vikram, however, attributes everything to radiation caused by the meteor. As deaths increase and fear grips the village, tensions rise between science and belief. With help from Devi (Archana Aiyer), the only villager who supports him, Vikram begins uncovering the truth. The film ultimately poses an interesting question: does science prevail, or does shastra?

Films with rural backdrops and supernatural themes — such as Virupaksha, Kishkindhapuri, and Hanu-Man — have found success in recent times, and Shambhala comfortably fits into this space. Ugandhar Muni takes a simple premise and builds an engaging narrative around it. Though the film begins at a measured pace, it gradually becomes gripping once the demonic element enters the story.

The narration benefits greatly from strong visuals and an atmospheric background score. Certain moments, like Vikram hearing anklet sounds that no one else can hear, add to the intrigue. The discovery of an underground mystery leads to an unexpected twist, taking the film in a new direction. For only his second film, Ugandhar shows impressive control over storytelling. The mythological references at the beginning and end, narrated through Aadi’s father Saikumar’s voiceover, add depth to the film.

Though fictional and rooted in superstition, the story is presented in a believable manner. Ugandhar succeeds in pulling the audience into a new world without unnecessary diversions. Notably, the film avoids forced romance, songs, or commercial fillers, staying true to its core theme.

The interval block stands out as a major highlight, while the second half delves deeper into the mystery. The concept of Arishadvargalu (the six enemies of the mind) is cleverly woven into the narrative. While at one point the film briefly hints at a zombie-like setup, the director quickly steers it back to the main story. Credit must be given to Ugandhar for his clarity of vision and engaging presentation.

Aadi Saikumar delivers one of his finest performances as Vikram. His restrained acting, expressions, and commitment to the role are commendable, and he handles the action scenes effectively. Archana Iyer is a pleasant surprise and fits perfectly into the role of Devi, bringing a classy presence to the screen. Rama Raju as the priest and Shiju as the village president perform well, while actors like Ravi Varma, Meesala Lakshman, Indraneel, Madhunandan, Annapurna, and others lend solid support.

Cinematographer Praveen K Bangari deserves special mention for capturing the period setting and village atmosphere beautifully, especially during night sequences. The art direction — particularly the temple and underground sets — looks authentic. Sricharan Pakala’s background score is one of the film’s biggest strengths, enhancing the tension and even managing to scare the audience in a few scenes.

Overall, Shambhala is a well-made mystic thriller with a strong fictional base. Despite a few minor loopholes, the film remains engaging and offers a fresh experience. For Aadi Saikumar, this film marks a solid comeback, proving that he still has it in him. Whether or not it becomes a commercial success, Shambhala stands out as a good and sincere attempt worth watching at least once.