Tantra is a chilling thriller featuring Ananya Nagalla, known for her roles in ‘Mallesham‘, ‘Playback’, and ‘Vakeel Saab‘. The movie unfolds amidst the enigmatic world of tantric rituals. Dive into our comprehensive review for more insights.
Tantra Story: Rekha (Ananya Nagalla) possesses the ability to perceive spirits, a skill she acquired after losing her mother in childhood. She shares a strained relationship with her father, often enduring his reprimands. Rekha harbors affection for Teja (Dhanush Raghumudri), her childhood friend, who reciprocates her feelings. However, their lives take a dark turn when Teja discovers occult rituals being conducted in their vicinity. The narrative delves into the mystery of why a bloodthirsty spirit or vampire frequents their area on every full moon night. What happens next is the basic story of the film.
Performances: Dhanush Raghumudri, the nephew of Srihari, commands the screen with his impressive presence. Despite limited screen time, he showcases his talent remarkably. Ananya Nagalla shines in the pivotal role of Rekha, delivering a performance that perfectly aligns with the character’s depth. Her portrayal particularly stands out in the climactic scenes, demonstrating her versatility. Saloni’s role and her scenes offer surprises for the audience, while the emotional sequences are executed with finesse. Temper Vamsi, Meesala Lakshman, and the rest of the cast leave a lasting impact through their commendable performances, effectively adding depth to their respective roles.
Technical Aspects: The efforts of music director RR Dhruvan to connect the film with the audience through songs and background music are evident. However, the impact is hindered by the scenes’ lack of intensity, rendering it a futile endeavor. Nonetheless, the production values are commendable. The camerawork is okay and even better was the production design which showcased the spooky effect. Tantra has decent visuals but the writing is weak.
Analysis: Divided into six chapters featuring themes like bloodlust, mysterious adversaries, and ancient deities like Mahankali and Chinnamastha Devi, the film’s attempt to enrich the plot with these elements falls short. The inclusion of such names, especially “Mahankali in the mask,” and certain dialogues, inadvertently turn the storyline towards comedy rather than horror.
Director Srinivas Gopisetty’s script holds promise with its exploration of tantric practices and occultism, but the execution lacks pace, making the film feel slower than a television serial. The initial setup of ‘Tantra’ lacks intrigue, with protagonist Ananya’s ability to see ghosts being the only notable aspect. The narration is half-baked and the emotions do not hold your attention.
The romantic subplot and discussions on occult rituals fail to engage, lacking both horror and excitement. Even Saloni‘s love and marriage track adds little to the narrative. Plot twists, when they finally arrive in the pre-climax, feel belated and fail to salvage the overall pacing issues.
Verdict: Overall, Tantra is a disappointing thriller that does not hold your attention. While Ananya Nagalla and Saloni deliver commendable performances, they cannot save the film from its shortcomings. While some story ideas hold potential, the execution falls flat boring the audience.
Bottom Line – Same Old Horror thriller
Rating: 2/5
