Cheekatilo is Sobhita Dhulipala’s first Telugu web film, produced by Suresh Babu and directed by Sharan Koppisetty. This mystery thriller created good curiosity with its promotions. Now, let’s see if it meets expectations.
Cheekatilo Story: A popular TV channel employee is brutally murdered, and her friend Sandhya (Sobhita Dhulipala) steps in to solve the case. She starts an audio podcast to expose the serial killer, but the murderer sees it as a challenge and targets her. Who is the killer and can Sandhya catch him? That’s the story of “Cheekatilo”.
Performances: Usually, heroines are praised for glamour or performance, but this film stands out for showing a heroine with strong confidence. Sobhita Dhulipala impresses with her body language, expressions, and controlled dialogue delivery. This role may bring her more recognition and women-centric offers.
Vadlamani Srinivas surprises in a key role that could change his career direction. It is also good to see Chaitanya Krishna, Isha Chawla, and senior actor Suresh in impactful serious roles, adding depth to the film.
Technical Aspects: Sricharan Pakala’s background score adds the perfect thrill, and the songs help elevate the story. Editing is impressive, with fresh transitions and shots timed to music beats. The art and production design teams realistically recreated investigation files, crime scenes, and dead bodies, while costumes were handled carefully.
Cinematographer Mallikarjun’s framing and lighting are strong, though DI could have been sharper. Chandra Pemmaraju’s gripping writing and attention to detail shine. Director Sharan Koppisetty handles characters, casting, and women empowerment sensitively, avoiding unnecessary scenes, making the film impactful and impressive.
Analysis: Cheekatilo proves that Telugu thrillers can be bold yet tasteful. Strong writing by Chandra Pemmaraju, Sharan Koppisetty’s direction, and Sobhita’s confident performance are major highlights. Violence and intense scenes stay within limits, making it a gripping thriller suitable for families on Prime Video.
Verdict: Cheekatilo is a gripping Telugu thriller with strong writing, confident performances, and smart direction, keeping viewers hooked while staying tasteful.
Bottom Line: Thriller with confidence and style.
Rating: 3.5/5
