Jatadhara Movie Review: A Tale of Two Halves
The much-anticipated mythological thriller Jatadhara, released on November 7, 2025, attempts to bridge ancient lore with modern storytelling. Directed by Venkat Kalyan and Abhishek Jaiswal, this 2-hour-15-minute film is available in both Telugu and Hindi, presenting an intriguing premise that ultimately delivers mixed results.
An Ancient Curse Unleashed
The film's story begins in ancient times when nobles protected their buried treasures with sacred rituals known as bandanas. One particularly powerful ritual, the Pisachi bandana, creates a guardian spirit called Dhanapisachi. When this seal breaks centuries later, it unleashes chaos that changes countless lives. The narrative then jumps nearly three decades forward to follow Shiva (Sudheer Babu), a rational ghost hunter who finds his scientific beliefs challenged when he's pulled back into this supernatural mystery.
Performance Highlights and Technical Aspects
Sudheer Babu delivers a compelling performance as the logical protagonist caught in illogical circumstances, effectively anchoring the film's emotional core. Sonakshi Sinha makes a powerful Telugu debut as Dhanapisachi, commanding the screen with her intense presence despite limited dialogue. Supporting cast members including Shilpa Shirodkar, Divya Khossla, and Indira Krishnan bring sensitivity to their roles, though their characters feel underexplored and lack sufficient depth.
On the technical front, Jatadhara shines with its grand production design and atmospheric cinematography that beautifully captures the mythological elements. The background score effectively maintains tension throughout, though the editing could have been tighter. The visual effects, particularly during the climax, show some inconsistency in quality that slightly undermines the overall impact.
Final Verdict: Worth Watching?
Jatadhara presents an ambitious fusion of mythology and contemporary themes that works better in parts than as a cohesive whole. While the film boasts strong performances and impressive visual scale, it struggles with uneven pacing and predictable plot twists. The narrative shifts abruptly at times, making it challenging to fully engage with the story's multiple subplots. Despite these shortcomings, the film offers enough visual splendor and compelling moments to warrant a viewing, especially for fans of mythological thrillers who can overlook its narrative inconsistencies.
