Bhairavam Movie Review: A perfect remake with more grandeur and strong performances

Bhairavam is a powerful, emotional drama wrapped in rich visuals and strong performances. It stays true to its roots while offering something fresh, making it a perfect pick for a weekend watch

Hyderabad: Bhairavam is a well-made remake of the Tamil hit Garudan, offering a richer and more colourful experience. With strong performances from its lead cast and high production value, this rural action drama manages to impress both those new to the story and fans of the original.

The story is set in a culturally rich village and revolves around friendship, betrayal, power, and justice. Gajapathi and Varadha are childhood friends and trustees of the Varahi Amma temple, which holds both spiritual and political importance in the village. Their bond grows stronger with Seenu, an orphan raised by Gajapathi, who is fiercely loyal to him.

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The trio’s peaceful life takes a turn when a powerful politician eyes a large piece of temple land. Greed and manipulation slowly break their strong brotherhood, bringing out hidden pasts, family issues, and emotional struggles. As the story unfolds, the battle for land turns into a deeper fight involving loyalty, truth, and redemption.

Performances

The film strikes a great balance among the three leads. Bellamkonda Sreenivas plays Seenu, originally played by Soori in the Tamil version, and delivers a surprising and strong performance. His scenes in the post-interval jatara segment are especially impressive.

Manchu Manoj plays Gajapathi, originally portrayed by Unni Mukundan. Manoj brings power and depth to his role, with a unique characterisation that adds value to the film. Nara Rohith as Varadha (played by Sashikumar in the original) also does full justice to his complex and commanding role.

Among the female leads, debutant Aditi Shankar as Vennela gives a decent performance. While her modern looks feel a bit mismatched with her village-girl role, she shines in dance numbers and light-hearted moments. Aanandhi, known for her roles in Zombie Reddy and Sridevi Soda Center, delivers a reliable performance as Neelima. Divya Pillai, remembered for Mangalavaaram, plays a calm and graceful wife whose character is key to the plot.

Direction and Technical Aspects

Director Vijay Kanakamedala handles the remake well, staying true to the original while adding grandeur and crisp pacing. Cinematographer Hari K Vedantam captures the rural beauty and richness of the film’s setting. Editor Chota K Prasad keeps the runtime tight and engaging. Sri Charan Pakala’s music stands out and elevates the emotional impact of the film, becoming one of its strongest assets.

Final Verdict

Bhairavam is a powerful, emotional drama wrapped in rich visuals and strong performances. It stays true to its roots while offering something fresh, making it a perfect pick for a weekend watch.