Kalarathri (Aha) Movie Review
Movie Name: Kalarathri
Release Date: 2024-08-17
Cast: Chemban Vinod Jose, Jinu Joseph, Baburaj, Sajin Cherukayil
Director: Devasi
Music: Kailas Menon
Banner: Hanuman Productions
Overview:
Kalarathri is the Telugu dubbed version of the Malayalam movie “Nalla Nilavulla Rathri,” which originally released in 2023.
Directed by Murphy Devasi, this crime thriller revolves around a dark, intense narrative with a strong focus on violence and bloodshed. The film is currently streaming on Aha from August 17, 2024, and is tailored for viewers who enjoy gritty and suspenseful thrillers.
Plot:
Kurian (Baburaj) lives in Kerala and owns a 266-acre plantation in Shimoga, Karnataka.
He mortgages this land to his distant relative Achayan (Saikumar) for ₹3 crore due to business needs. His wife urges him to reclaim the plantation.
Meanwhile, Kurian reunites with his old friends—Dominic (Jinu Joseph), Joshi (Binu Pappu), and Peter (Ronnie David)—who are thriving in organic farming.
Kurian decides to sell his plantation to them for ₹12 crore, hoping to pay off Achayan and clear his debt.
The friends plan to visit the plantation, where Kurian mentions an old British-era bungalow situated in the middle of the estate.
Kurian, along with his nephew Paul Joseph and driver Aneesh (Ganapati), heads to Shimoga.
Despite some hesitance, they also plan to meet their old friend Idumban (Chemban Vinod Jose), who has a strained relationship with Kurian. They arrive at the plantation by nightfall.
As they celebrate, Idumban unexpectedly joins them, leading to tension within the group. However, the party continues until Rajiv mysteriously disappears and is later found brutally murdered.
The group is thrown into panic as another friend, Paul, is also killed. They seek refuge in the bungalow, arming themselves with whatever they can find.
As Dominic is also murdered in a gruesome manner, the remaining friends are gripped by fear and paranoia. The rest of the story revolves around unraveling the mystery of who is behind the killings and why.
Analysis:
The movie focuses on the dynamics between six old friends who reunite for a business deal, only to find themselves caught in a deadly situation.
The story, co-written by Devasi and Praful Suresh, takes time to build up before diving into intense and suspenseful moments in the latter half.
The narrative lacks conventional elements like romance or heroism, instead, it concentrates on the tension and conflict among the friends.
The film begins slowly, with the first hour and a half setting the stage, but it picks up intensity in the last 30 minutes, culminating in a series of brutal murders.
The graphic violence and bloodshed make this a film suitable only for those who enjoy the crime thriller genre.
The cinematography, background score, and editing are appropriately aligned with the dark theme of the movie. A subtle message about the consequences of disunity among friends is woven into the plot.
Final Thoughts:
Kalarathri offers a grim and unsettling experience that will appeal to a niche audience.
The movie’s pacing, particularly in the last half hour, might not be suitable for all viewers due to its intense violence.
The film concludes on a note that hints at a potential sequel, leaving some satisfaction for fans of the genre.
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