The Best Way to Revive Bhool Bhulaiyaa Franchise is to Remake This Terrific Horror Thriller

RATING – ⭐⭐⭐✨ 3.5/5*

Kishkindhapuri Review movie Talkies:

Kishkindhapuri honestly surprised me in the best way possible. Particularly because it came from Telugu cinema, where horror movies are usually either mediocre or messy, with over-the-top comedy and little genuine thrill. But this film is different—it shows exactly how to craft a perfect Indian horror thriller. It carries an atmospheric brilliance, delivers a truly terrifying experience, and grips you from the very first moment until the last frame. As I watched it, I felt the terror, the uneasiness, the tension, and most importantly, the constant surprise of the twists it throws at you. Kishkindhapuri follows familiar cult-horror templates but shapes them into an entertaining, stylish horror flick. What makes it bigger is the standard it sets for the Telugu industry, especially considering its budget. Bollywood, on the other hand, launched the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise with the remake of the Malayalam masterpiece Manichitrathazhu and gave us a gem. But the next two films? They spoiled the legacy with unofficial remakes that were neither clever nor memorable. If Bollywood genuinely wants to revive the franchise on the content front, then I say this loud and clear—remake Kishkindhapuri. Or, at the very least, hire this writer to deliver something in the same zone.

Kishkindhapuri Story:

Now, about the Story. The film begins with a group of people entering an old radio station, ignoring the warnings surrounding it. What follows is chilling—by disturbing the silence of that cursed place, they awaken a deadly spirit. From that very night, deaths start occurring in strange and unnatural ways. This sets the stage for the protagonist Raghav, played by Bellamkonda Sreenivas, to step in. Raghav takes charge of the situation, determined to uncover the truth and stop the wrath of this unsatisfied spirit. Along with his partner Maithili (Anupama Parameswaran), he digs deep into the spirit’s past. The two eventually learn about the ghost’s painful Story: a man tortured to death inside the radio station, a victim of cruelty. Now, years later, his restless soul seeks revenge on those who awakened him. But as determined as the spirit is to kill, Raghav is equally determined to fight back. The film then becomes a clash between human grit and supernatural fury, where Raghav must find a way to stop the ghost before it grows truly unstoppable.

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What impressed me most is the way the writers have stitched the narrative together. They use cult horror templates—things we’ve seen in iconic ghost stories before—but weave them into a massy action-horror setup that feels both familiar and fresh. Of course, being a Telugu film, it couldn’t completely avoid the masala formula. So yes, there’s the heroic entry of Raghav with an action sequence and a couple of fights later on. For me, those action blocks weren’t strictly necessary. But I also understand why they’re there. Telugu cinema still caters heavily to its fan base, and such elements help pull in the local audience. Despite that, I must admit, the balance between action and horror has been handled much better than I expected. The first half of the film is all about building tension, creating a mysterious and eerie environment. By the time the interval arrives, the stage is set for a strong second half. And that’s exactly what happens—the second half lifts the film even higher. The surprises and twists waiting there kept me hooked, and I found myself leaning forward in my seat. I particularly loved the way the final frame leaves us with a question—an unsettling but brilliant touch. The use of spiritual elements also felt unique, giving the film a deeper layer.

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What I appreciated most is how the film’s tone evolves. It begins almost like a horror-comedy, which is typical in Telugu cinema. But the moment the ghost enters the frame, the comedy vanishes. From then on, it’s serious, gripping horror all the way. I honestly haven’t seen an Indian film in recent years manage that switch so effectively. Telugu cinema, with Kishkindhapuri, has now raised the bar for horror across the country. Bollywood, Mollywood, Kollywood—yes, they’ve all given us some good horror at different times, but this one from Tollywood truly challenges them. Of course, the film isn’t flawless. There are a few things I could nitpick about, but mentioning them would involve giving away spoilers, which I don’t want to do. So instead of going into that, I simply deduct half a star in my rating.

Kishkindhapuri cast:

Coming to performances—Bellamkonda Sreenivas starts off as the typical mass hero, but soon moves away from that image. He successfully slips into the skin of Raghav and gives the character real depth. Anupama Parameswaran is decent in the beginning but shines much more in the last quarter, where her transformation makes her stand out. Makarand Deshpande appears briefly but leaves a strong mark. Tanikella Bharani does his job well, while Hyper Adi and Hina Bhatia are passable. But the real star here, without question, is Sandy. This man nails it once again! Playing the ghost, he embodies menace and tragedy at the same time. His performance as the villain and as a physically disabled boy adds both layers and chills. Every frame he appeared in felt alive with dread.

Technically, Kishkindhapuri is rock solid. The color grading perfectly suits the horror tone, with shades of blue and black dominating. The flashbacks are presented beautifully, with a distinct palette that separates them from the present. The cinematography deserves applause, especially in the scarier moments. One scene that stuck with me is the one on the train, where an old woman enters begging. The framing of that sequence gave me goosebumps. I could describe more such standout moments, but I’d rather let you experience them fresh. The sound design and background score are equally effective—chilling, haunting, and immersive. The film doesn’t rely much on jump scares. Instead, it creates genuinely tense moments that make your chest heavy and your throat dry.

Kishkindhapuri movie Review:

Director Koushik Pegallapati deserves massive credit here. Working with a moderate budget, he has crafted something far more impactful than many big-budget horror films I’ve seen. It’s proof that skill and vision matter more than money. Kishkindhapuri is a perfect example of how to root horror in culture, suspense, deception, and emotion while still delivering entertainment. Kishkindhapuri exceeded my expectations, and as someone who watches horror across industries, that doesn’t happen often. For fans of the genre, this film is a must-watch. Kishkindhapuri proves that Tollywood can do horror not just well, but brilliantly. I didn’t think I’d be saying this, but here I am, giving the film not only my recommendation but also half a star extra for being such a pleasant shocker. Watch it—you might just find it better than anything you’ve seen in this genre in recent years.

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