‘Jatadhara’ Movie Review
Film: Jatadhara
Release Date: 7 Nov 2025
CBFC Rating: A
Run Time: 2h 15m
Banner:Ess Kay Gee Entertainment Film
Cast: Sudheer Babu, Sonakshi Sinha, Divya Khossla, Shilpa Shirodkar, Indira Krishna, Ravi Prakash, Jhansi, Rajeev Kanakala, Srinivas Avarsala, Rohit Pathak, Naveen Neni, Rupa Laxmi, Anand Chakrapani, Alekhya, Subhalekha Sudhakar, Pradeep Rawat, Sreedhar Reddy, Kumanan SK, Shankar Mahasta, Child actor Naga Chaitanya
Written By : Venkat Kalyan
Dialogues By : Sai Krishna Karne, Shyam Babu Meriga
DOP: Sameer Kalyani
Music: Rajeev Raj
Produced By – Umesh Kumar Bansal, Shivin Narang, Aruna Agarwal, Prerna Arora, Shilpa Singhal, Nikhil Nanda
Co-Produced By – Akshay Kejriwal, Kussum Arora
Directed By – Venkat Kalyan & Abhishek Jaiswal
Jatadhara starring Sudheer Babu arrives as a bold bilingual venture (Telugu & Hindi) from Zee Studios and Prerna Arora, marking Sonakshi Sinha’s Telugu debut. The film is positioned as a mythological supernatural thriller that blends contemporary ghost hunting intrigue with ancient folklore. Directed by the duo Venkat Kalyan and Abhishek Jaiswal, the project boasts grand visual ambition, leveraging Kerala’s lush backdrops and the mystique of the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple to create an immersive cinematic universe. Let’s delve into the review.
Plot
Shiva (Sudheer Babu) juggles a corporate job with his passion for ghost hunting, convinced that fear, not spirits, is humanity’s true enemy. Recurring dreams of an infant under attack pull him into a tangled web linking his past life to the cursed treasure of Pisacha Bandhanam. He crosses paths with the rationalist Indian Paranormal Society led by Manisharma (Avasarala Srinivas) Swamiji Neelakanta Sastri (Subhalekha Sudhakar), Shobha (Shilpa Shirodkar), Devi (Indira Krishna), and her husband Vasu ( Ravi Prakash), and meets Sitara (Divya Khossla), a girl mistaken for a spirit, forming an emotional anchor. The narrative crescendos when Shiva discovers that the demoness Dhana Pisaachini (Sonakshi Sinha) guards the hidden wealth, forcing him to confront greed, faith, and his own destiny in a climax that balances horror with spiritual introspection. ), and who is Dhana Pisachi ( Sonakshi Sinha) , what is Pisacha bandhanam form the rest of the twists and turns.
Performances
Sudheer Babu delivers a sincere, physically committed performance, especially evident in the demanding dance‑sequence and his nuanced transition from skeptic to heroic protector. Sonakshi Sinha, making a striking Telugu debut, commands attention as the vengeful Dhana Pisaachini, infusing the role with eerie intensity despite limited dialogue. Divya Khossla adds charm and warmth as Sitara, while Shilpa Shirodkar steals scenes as the greedy antagonist Shobha. Supporting actors Naveen Neni, Jhansi Laxmi, Rajeev Kanakala, Ravi Prakash, and Indira Krishna provide depth, grounding the supernatural tale with relatable human emotions.
Highlights
Sudheer Babu, Sonakshi Sinha
Interesting Premise
Visual Brilliance
Strong Performances
Drawbacks
Pacing Issues
VFX Inconsistencies
Analysis
Jatadhara succeeds as an earnest, visually striking supernatural thriller that merges myth with modern skepticism. Sudheer Babu and Sonakshi Sinha’s powerful portrayals, combined with atmospheric cinematography and an evocative score, make it a worthwhile watch for genre enthusiasts. The film’s ambition and emotional core ensure it leaves a lasting impression. The film’s greatest strength lies in its visual storytelling,
Sameer Kalyani’s cinematography captures Kerala’s misty temples and ritualistic ambience, enhancing the mythic atmosphere. Rajiv Raj’s background score blends classical ragas with electronic undertones, heightening tension without overwhelming the narrative. However, the pacing falters in the first half, with an over reliance on exposition that dilutes momentum. The screenplay occasionally veers into clichéd horror tropes, and the VFX, looks ambitious. Despite shortcomings, the thematic conflict between rationalism and faith remains compelling, offering audiences a fresh perspective on the genre.
Rating: 3/5
Bottom-line: Intriguing Horror Thriller Based On Folklore
