Shanmukha (2025) English Subtitle - A Mythological Thriller With a Modern Twist

Shanmukha (2025) English Subtitle - A Mythological Thriller With a Modern Twist

Shanmukha (2025) English Subtitle - Ravi Basrur’s Music Elevates the Mystique of Shanmukha

Shanmukha (2025) is a Telugu-language crime thriller that dares to blend ancient mythology with modern-day investigation, helmed by debutant director Shanmugam Sappani. Co-written with Satish Aketi, this film features Aadi Saikumar as Karthi Vallabhan, a determined police officer, and Avika Gor as Sara Maheswaran, a research student. Together, they embark on an enigmatic journey that unearths secrets buried deep in the pages of scripture and shrouded within a mysterious forest temple.

Released on 21 March 2025, Shanmukha begins with a compelling premise — a mythological mystery rooted in ancient Indian culture, folklore, and hidden treasure, which sets the stage for a spiritual-crime thriller. Aadi Saikumar delivers a grounded performance, portraying Karthi with intensity and quiet determination. Avika Gor complements him well, providing an intellectual lens to the story as a researcher caught between belief and reason.

Visually, the film scores big, thanks to the cinematography by RR Vishnu and Krishna Murali, which gives the temple sequences a mystic and eerie ambiance. The editing by M.A. Malik helps keep the first half engaging, but the narrative dips in the second half due to a convoluted screenplay that attempts to pack in too many layers without clear resolution.

The music by Ravi Basrur enhances the film’s immersive world, especially the standout track “Oo Chandrakala” sung by Santhosh Venky, which adds emotional weight to the story. The background score, intense and brooding, plays a vital role in driving the tension during pivotal scenes.

Despite the strong foundation and commendable technical work, Shanmukha stumbles when it comes to narrative clarity. Critics from OTTPlay, Eenadu, and Andhra Jyothi highlighted the second half’s screenplay as the film’s biggest drawback. Yet, the climax delivers enough thrills and revelations to leave viewers satisfied, especially for fans of slow-burn mysteries.

Produced by Sapbro Productions, the film touches on mythology, heritage, greed, and righteousness, attempting to weave them into a contemporary framework. While not without flaws, Shanmukha stands out for its ambition and thematic depth, offering a unique experience in the Telugu thriller space.

--Shanmukha (2025) English Subtitle--