The horror elements in the second half do pick up; however, the plot meanders through various turns without fully grasping the tension that could have been built

Apaayavide Eccharike(3 / 5)

Apaayavide Eccharike, as a title, alerts viewers with a warning: Danger and a bold promise. At first glance, it suggests a chilling horror-thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. But does the film live up to it? Unfortunately, the plot delivers a jumbled concoction that attempts to balance humour and horror. The film opens with a suspenseful, eerie moment, only to veer sharply into the lives of three carefree, aimless friends. The plot of the Abhijit Thirthahalli directorial revolves around three underachieving students—Suri (Vikas Uttaiah), Petge (Raghav), and Gaabri (Mithun)—whose lives are stuck in a rut. They’re reckless, irresponsible, and constantly seeking shortcuts to make money, while barely making a dent in their studies—a premise that’s far from fresh. One wonders whether this will be enough to elevate the material beyond its bare minimum.

Director: Abhijit Thirthahalli

Cast: Vikash Uthaiah, Raghav Kodachadri, Mithun Thirthahalli, Ashwin Haasan, Lankesh Ravana, and Radha Bhagavati

The first half of Apaayavide Eccharike is an exercise in banality. It tries to engage us in meaningful ways, briefly playing with the idea of carefree bachelor life. However, the film is peppered with unremarkable moments, dragging its feet until the second half kicks in, which is where its true essence lies. Here, it dishes out a supernatural horror twist that delves into the consequences of resource exploitation in the forest, layered with voodoo, and culminating in a whodunit. The concept is novel, but the execution feels light, with multiple subplots that could have been trimmed for pacing.

There’s a feeling of local pride here—Abhijith’s regional setting attempts to connect with the area’s audience, but it feels like an afterthought, more nostalgic than impactful. The horror elements in the second half do pick up; however, the plot meanders through various turns without fully grasping the tension that could have been built.

As for the performances, Vikas Uttaiah carries the film as Suri, showing solid potential, especially for a debut. His two companions, played by Mithun and Raghav, add some fun, though it’s the latter’s portrayal of Gaabri that brings humour to a film otherwise light on laughs. Harini Srikanth, as Devika, and other characters in key roles bring some intrigue, though the writing could have been sharper to develop the characters further. Radha Bhagavathi as the heroine, Dev, Rudra, and Navya as Kalavati do justice to their respective characters. Ashwin Hassan is undoubtedly a good actor, but the suspense built around him in his character with a negative shade, Sripad, the supposed antagonist, never makes the impact it should.

Setting aside the songs, Sunanda Gowtham’s background score helps establish a mood, and the cinematography complements the eerie setting—well-shot but never quite spectacular. Apaayavide Eccharike offers moments of enjoyment, but the distractions undermine the sustained tension that could have turned it into a gripping experience. It doesn’t fully capitalise on its potential. The danger here isn’t real—it’s a mirage, a fleeting sense of suspense mixed with laughter, one that can be sat through.

News Credits: Cinema Express

FIR 6 to 6(2 / 5)

Vijay Raghavendra, known for his khaki-clad characters in films, once again steps into the role of a police officer in FIR 6 to 6. Having gained attention for playing law enforcement officers, the actor’s role as Inspector Garuda raises questions if the film stands on its own merit or simply follows a predictable formula that has worked in the past.

Direction: Ramana Raj KV

Cast: Vijay Raghavendra, Siri Raju, Yash Shetty Swathi Satish, and Yashaa S

With an uninspired title that merely signifies the time frame during which the events unfold, the film kicks off with an action-packed sequence, introducing Garuda (Vijay Raghavendra) in a tense atmosphere, driving through the city, seemingly ready for action. However, it soon descends into a confusing mess of disjointed subplots that fail to come together cohesively.

Garuda’s wife, Jyothi (Siri Raju), is trapped in their home as a group of miscreants attempts to break in. While Garuda races against time to save her, the narrative soon veers off course with multiple subplots. A girl tries to elope, only to fall into the hands of a dangerous man. A couple attending a wedding is caught by goons. And as if that weren’t enough, the film introduces yet another subplot involving drunken men causing chaos at a bar and chasing a man through the city.

Ramana Raj KV, who makes his directorial debut, struggles to juggle these competing storylines. The result is a film that feels cluttered, disoriented, and unbalanced. The pacing alternates between moments of urgency and dragged-out scenes that dilute the tension. In few instances, Garuda’s character keeps checking his watch and phone in a moment of urgency, but the next scene meanders through unrelated subplots, killing any momentum. The film transitions from a pub scene to an elopement attempt without any real sense of cohesion, making it hard to invest in the story.

The attempts at comic relief, seemingly intended to lighten the mood, feel forced and awkward, ultimately undermining the plot’s serious tone.

FIR 6 to 6’s main plotline, which holds potential for a gripping thriller, falters due to poor direction and uninspiring performances. Additionally, Vijay Raghavendra’s portrayal of Garuda fails to elevate the story. His character is yet another run-of-the-mill cop which follows predictable paths. The actor offers little emotional depth in the role, making it difficult for the audience to connect with his journey.

A drug mafia subplot is introduced later in the film, but it feels more like a last-minute addition than an organic part of the story. This narrative twist only serves to muddle the plot further. As the story progresses, it shifts focus back to Garuda, revealing a challenge from the antagonist (Yash Shetty), who only appears in the final scenes. Garuda is tasked with keeping a group of miscreants in prison for at least one night, before filing an FIR, a concept designed to justify the title FIR 6 to 6. However, neither the writing nor the direction builds any real suspense or excitement around this premise, rendering it largely irrelevant to the larger story.

The final stretch of the film— another predictable chase sequence—lacks excitement and falls flat. Garuda, despite being an experienced cop, engages in a chase that strains the film’s believability. At one point, he’s seen driving through the city, only to take illogical hours to reach his house, creating a glaring inconsistency in the film’s logic.

Further, the makers resort to unnecessarily objectifying the female lead and another female character, which feels out of place in the story.

Despite Vijay Raghavendra’s solid track record, his performance feels unoriginal and overly familiar. The film attempts to juggle too many themes—from family drama to elopement, drug mafias to cop chases— but fails to execute any of them effectively. With underwhelming performances and a convoluted storyline, FIR 6 to 6 ends up as a tedious and forgettable watch. One would hope that they could have rehashed familiar tropes more engagingly, but that doesn’t happen.

His role in FIR 6 to 6 makes it clear that Vijay Raghavendra is tired of playing the same old roles. Perhaps it’s time he takes a break from his khaki-clad characters and explores new territories that challenge his acting range and bring fresh depth to his performances.

News Credits: Cinema Express

The story revolves around Hemanth Kumar (Pramod Shetty), a police officer known for his unconventional methods and offbeat personality. Deeply in love with his wife Swathi (Aadya Priya), Hemanth’s personal life is simple, but his professional life takes a turn when he is forced to investigate the murder of Kumar, a police informant. Solving the case might finally earn him the recognition he has long been seeking — forming the crux of the narrative.

Shabaash Baddi Magane Movie Review : Shabhash Baddimagne review: Pramod Shetty shines in this formulaic murder mystery

Critic’s Rating: 2.5/5

Plot: Police officer Hemanth Kumar (Hemanth Shetty) is deeply in love with his wife, and is often negligent towards his duties. When a murder occurs in town, he has to buckle up and get back to work.

Review: Films that blend crime investigations with personal stories of flawed protagonists have always held appeal, especially when they manage to balance suspense, character development, and emotional depth. This film, centered around a quirky police officer tasked with solving a murder, attempts to walk that fine line. With Pramod Shetty at the helm, the film certainly had the potential to be an engaging character-driven investigative drama. However, while the intent is clear, the execution leaves much to be desired.

The story revolves around Hemanth Kumar (Pramod Shetty), a police officer known for his unconventional methods and offbeat personality. Deeply in love with his wife Swathi (Aadya Priya), Hemanth’s personal life is simple, but his professional life takes a turn when he is forced to investigate the murder of Kumar, a police informant. Solving the case might finally earn him the recognition he has long been seeking — forming the crux of the narrative.

The first half of the film is almost entirely dedicated to introducing characters and their dynamics — from Gowda and two policemen to Kumar’s sister and several others. While building a world with multiple characters can add richness, here it slows down the film considerably. The core plot — the murder investigation — takes a backseat for too long, making the first half feel like a lengthy prologue.

Clocking in at 2 hours and 23 minutes, the film begins to drag, particularly because the story doesn’t gather momentum quickly enough. Several scenes feel unnecessarily stretched, and some of the character dynamics — though well-intentioned — don’t add much to the central conflict.

Performance-wise, Pramod Shetty is undoubtedly the film’s biggest strength. His natural ease in front of the camera, combined with his flair for blending humor and sincerity, gives the film its only consistent spark. He genuinely tries to carry the film on his shoulders, but the weight of weak writing and patchy execution is too much for even him to save. The supporting cast, dominated by influencer-turned-actors, unfortunately lacks the acting depth needed to create authentic and emotionally engaging moments.

The cinematography feels functional at best, rarely enhancing the storytelling. The music, instead of adding layers to the emotions or the narrative, feels outdated and often out of sync with the tone. Adding to this, the editing is uneven, with abrupt scene transitions that hinder the flow.

There are glimpses of what the film wanted to be — a grounded, character-driven crime story with emotional undercurrents — but the execution falls well short of the ambition.

Overall, this is a sincere effort that suffers from weak storytelling, uneven performances, and technical inconsistencies. While Pramod Shetty’s earnest performance offers some respite, it’s not enough to overcome the film’s structural flaws. Shabhash Baddimagne is a missed opportunity, despite a strong central performance.

News Credits: Times of India

Vishnu Priya Twitter (X) Review: Shreyas Manju & Priya Varrier’s Romantic Drama Hits Screens; Netizens REACT

Vishnu Priya Twitter (X) Review: Starring Shreyas Manju and Priya Prakash Varrier in the lead roles, Vishnu Priya is a romantic drama directed by VK Prakash finally hit the big screens after a long wait on February 21. The love story film has its entire music and score by Gopi Sundar, who added value to the narration.

The movie charts the journey of a son, who tries everything in his power to reunite his family. In the process, the challenges he faces with determination and encouragement are depicted against the backdrop of a love story.

Vishnu Priya Synopsis

The story of the movie is set in 1990 and after the theatrical release, reviewers opined that the movie has a snail’s pace. Vishnu (Shreyas Manju)’s friend Balu likes Priya (Priya Prakash Varrier) and attempts to propose love using Vishnu. When Vishnu speaks for Balu, Priya confesses that she actually likes Vishnu. Vishnu, who comes from a broken family, suffers from a lack of trust and love in relationships after his mother remarries following his father’s death. As Vishnu and Priya fall for each other, destiny has other plans. What happens next is all about the movie Vishnu Priya.

News Credits: Filmi Beat