Subham : Latest Telugu Movie Review
Set in the coastal town of Bheemili, Subham revolves around Srinu (Harshith R), a local cable TV operator who marries Srivalli (Shriya Kontham). On their wedding night, Srinu is shocked when Srivalli starts behaving bizarrely at exactly 9:00 PM. As he investigates, he discovers that many women in the town display similarly strange behavior at the same time each night. Along with his friends and their wives, Srinu tries to uncover the mystery behind this phenomenon. The film follows their attempts to deal with this strange curse and how they eventually confront the issue that seems to possess the town’s women every night.
Overview:
Directed by Praveen Kandregula and produced by actress Samantha, Subham is positioned as a never-before-seen concept in Telugu cinema. The film blends horror and comedy with a grounded social angle, particularly revolving around women’s obsession with TV serials. While it starts promisingly and delivers some quirky, genuinely funny sequences, the film eventually succumbs to weak writing, budget limitations, and a repetitive second half. Though it tries to stand apart from regular slapstick horror comedies, it loses momentum in its execution. Samantha’s presence gives the film visibility, but the result is a mixed bag.
Performances:
- Harshith R: Delivers a sincere and grounded performance as Srinu.
- Charan Peri: Decent as a supporting friend.
- Srinivas Gavireddy: The standout performer, bringing comic timing and natural charisma as the dominating husband.
- Shriya Kontham: Convincing in the role of a working wife with a dual-toned character.
- Shravani Lakshmi & Shalini Kondepudi: Play their parts well, though not given too much depth.
- Samantha: Appears in a short cameo; her presence is impactful, though the writing for her character could have been stronger.
- Vamshidhar Goud: His character fails to click and feels out of place.
Technical Aspects:
- Direction: Praveen Kandregula shows promise but struggles to maintain grip over the screenplay in the second half.
- Cinematography: Mridul Sujit Sen does a respectable job within budget constraints, with decent visuals throughout.
- Screenplay: Engaging in the first half, but falters due to repetitive scenes and weak subplots in the latter part.
- Dialogues: Functional with a few punchy lines that land well.
Music:
Vivek Sagar’s background score is one of the film’s major strengths, effectively heightening the mood in key scenes. Clinton Cerejo’s songs, however, are average and don’t stand out. A lack of memorable music is felt, especially for a film trying to create a distinct mood.
Editing:
Dharmendra Kakarala’s editing needed more finesse. Despite the film's short runtime (around two hours), it feels stretched, especially in the second half. Repetitive sequences and subplots like the ‘Cinema Bandi’ spoof could have been trimmed to improve pacing.
Positives:
- Fresh, relatable core concept
- A few genuine laugh-out-loud moments
- Strong performances from all six leads
- Background score by Vivek Sagar
- Srinivas Gavireddy’s comedic presence
Negatives:
- Weak and repetitive second half
- Subpar production quality
- Average songs with no replay value
- Underwhelming subplot involving the 'Cinema Bandi' angle
- Some overused horror tropes and predictable scares
Analysis:
Subham tries to bring a different flavor to the horror comedy genre by anchoring its story in a very Indian household reality: women’s obsession with serials. The film succeeds in parts, particularly in the first half with solid characterizations, a few clever gags, and good background score. However, its ambition to be a pathbreaking concept film doesn't hold up due to a lack of strong narrative grip in the second half. The writing turns repetitive, and the film starts resembling a stretched-out short film. While it avoids the usual over-the-top slapstick, it misses opportunities to add depth or cleverness to its premise. Ultimately, Subham is a semi-successful attempt that delivers some laughs and showcases talent, but lacks the storytelling finesse to make a lasting impression.
Bottomline: Subham – Offers A Few Laughs, But Loses Track Midway
Rating: 2.75 / 5
