Mayookha Movie Review
Film: Mayookha
Release Date: 09 October 2026
CBFC Rating: A
Run-time: 2hrs 11mins
Cast: Payal Chengappa, Muralidhar Goud, Aman Masud, Janu Varma, K Lavanya Rani, Nanajee Karri, Ramisetty Rambabu, Dev Shashank and Others
Music Director: Sibi Mathew Alex
Cinematographer: Farhan Vadakkan
Producer: Sasidhar Nalla
Written & Directed by Shree Tej SK
Payal Chengappa starrer ‘Mayookha’ directed by Shree Tej SK has arrived in theatres today, Oct 9, 2026 in Telugu and Kannada with good expectations. The film already created a strong buzz by winning the Best Mystery Film Award at the New York International Film Awards (NYIFA) before release. Produced by Sasidhar Nalla under Prashwitha Entertainments banner.
Plot
The story unfolds in Hyderabad where a series of brutal murders shocks the police department. The killer is chopping bodies into pieces and hanging them at Banjara Hills Road No.44, stuffing remains in black garbage covers, a visual that instantly creates a chilling atmosphere. Parallelly, we are introduced to Mayookha (Payal Chengappa), a bank employee who feels an unknown intruder is roaming inside her flat. When she complains to police, she doesn’t get proper support, forcing her to investigate the truth herself. As the investigation progresses, every character around her becomes a suspect.
What is the secret connection between Mayookha’s stalker and the city murders? Who is the psycho girl who is seen brutally cutting humans? And what is the link between the mysterious disappearance of hens in the locality and these murders? The story connects these tracks and leads to a revealing climax is the whole plot.
Performances
The heart and soul of Mayookha is undoubtedly Payal Chengappa. She delivers a career best performance as Mayookha. She perfectly portrays fear, anxiety, suspicion and courage in a single character. She carries the entire film on her shoulders and makes you empathize with her trauma.
The supporting cast also does a commendable job. Aman Masood, Dev D, and Muralidhar Goud play their parts with conviction. The brilliance in their casting is that each one is written in such a way that the audience suspects them till the very end. Their grey shaded portrayals help in sustaining the suspense throughout. Muralidhar Goud in particular brings authenticity to his role. Every actor fits well into the investigative universe created by the director.
Highlights
Payal’s Performance
Chilling Screenplay
Gripping Background
Fresh Concept
Drawbacks
Slight Drags
Complex Narration
Analysis
The first half of Mayookha is designed as a perfect setup for a seat edge thriller. The film opens with a shocking murder at Banjara Hills which instantly hooks you. Director Shree Tej SK does not rush, he takes time to build the atmosphere of fear around the heroine and introduces suspects one by one. This slow burn approach keeps you guessing who is behind the killings. The scenes where Payal witnesses a psycho killer chopping humans and the police finding body parts in garbage bags are nerve wracking and give you goosebumps. The screenplay in the first half successfully creates confusion and suspicion, which is essential for this genre.
In the second half, all the knots start to unfold in a very engaging manner. The clues related to the murders, the hidden pasts of the characters, and the psychological angle behind the killings are revealed layer by layer. The psychological aspect shown behind the crimes feels fresh and new. Technically, the film is strong. The cinematography creates a dark, moody atmosphere perfect for a crime thriller set in Hyderabad. The background score is a major asset, it elevates the tension without relying on songs. Director Shree Tej SK should be appreciated for maintaining the mystery and handling a complex subject with clarity. Despite a couple of minor slow moments, Mayookha ends as a satisfying and spine chilling thriller that delivers what it promised.
Rating: 3.25/5
Bottom-line: A Gripping Investigative Crime Thriller
