Viraaji is a movie that got folks talkin’, but it ain’t exactly what you’d call a hit. The film stars Varun Sandesh, and it got some attention when it first hit the screens, though it didn’t do too well at the box office, despite some folks saying it had decent reviews. This here movie, directed by Adhyanth Harsha, is a thriller, and it’s about a bunch of folks stuck in a creepy, abandoned mental asylum. And the real mystery? A character named Viraaji, played by Varun Sandesh. Now, before we dive deeper, let’s talk about the good, the bad, and the confusing parts of this film.
The Story
So, Viraaji starts with a strange premise. A group of people—comprising a stand-up comic, a gynecologist, a hotel manager, a police officer, and a drug addict—find themselves trapped in an old, spooky mental asylum. Sounds like a recipe for a good thriller, right? Well, it’s got that suspense, but not in the way you’d expect. The film sets up this eerie atmosphere, but as things progress, you start to wonder what it’s all leading to. Is this a horror film, a psychological thriller, or a revenge tale? The plot feels like it’s trying to be all these things, but doesn’t quite hit the mark.
Performance
Varun Sandesh, playing the mysterious Andy (who’s actually Viraaji), does a decent job with his role. He brings some weight to the character, and there’s this air of secrecy about him that keeps you guessing. But, let’s be honest, the first half of the movie feels slow and a little confusing. You don’t quite get the sense of who these people are, what they’re doing there, and why you should care about them. By the time the second half kicks in, the stakes are raised a bit, but it’s still a hard film to follow, no matter how much you try to stay with it.
The Good and The Bad
Now, don’t get me wrong. The idea behind this movie—people trapped in a haunted asylum with a revenge-filled twist—sounds like a good story. But the way it’s executed, it’s like they tried too hard to keep the audience guessing. They throw in some red herrings and make you believe one thing, only to flip it on its head later. This sort of trickery can work if done right, but here, it feels like it’s just too much. By the time the big reveal happens, you might feel more confused than shocked.
Execution
The film’s biggest downfall is its pacing and the way it drags on. The first half, where they set up the plot, is weak and hard to sit through. You’re not really sure what’s happening or why you’re supposed to care about these characters. It’s only in the second half where things start picking up, but by then, you might’ve already lost interest. The story has potential, but the execution just doesn’t do it justice. There’s also the whole vibe of the movie—it’s spooky, sure, but it never fully embraces the horror genre. It keeps switching between thriller, mystery, and horror, which makes it hard to settle on one tone.
The Final Verdict
Viraaji, for all its twists and turns, feels like it was trying to be a lot more than it actually is. It’s got a good cast, a decent story, and some intriguing moments, but the movie doesn’t quite live up to expectations. The film drags in places, and while the second half tries to make up for the slow start, it doesn’t quite deliver in the way a good thriller should. If you’re into films that keep you guessing, you might still find something to enjoy here. But for those who like their thrillers to be sharp and clear, Viraaji might not be the ultimate choice.
Tags：[Viraaji, Thriller, Varun Sandesh, Movie Review, Adhyanth Harsha, Telugu Film, Mental Asylum, 2024 Movie, Horror, Suspense, Survival Thriller, Indian Cinema]
