Starring: Srikanth Sriram as Antony, Kushee Ravi as Mary, Eswari Rao as Annamma, Srinivas Avasarala, Ravi Varma, Manik Reddy, Baby Chaitra as Tara, Baby Leisha as Sophie, Vijayalakshmi, Srilatha, Others
Director: Saikiran Daida
Producer: Yeshwanth Daggumati
Music Director: Krishna Saurabh Surampalli
Story:
Antony, an accountant, relocates his family to a new house in Suklapet. Strange occurrences plague them, convincing them the house is haunted. Seeking help from demonologist Annamma, they uncover a mysterious backstory tied to the house.
Positives:
Compelling Backstory: Pindam weaves an intriguing and unsettling backstory, addressing a crucial social issue effectively.
Strong Performances: Srikanth Sriram delivers a convincing portrayal, portraying genuine concern for his family. Kushee Ravi fits her role well, and the child actors shine in their respective characters.
Technical Brilliance: The background score and locations contribute significantly to the eerie atmosphere essential for a horror film.
Negatives:
Familiar Narrative: Pindam follows a well-worn path in the horror genre, lacking in fresh, gripping moments.
Unengaging First Half: The initial segment fails to sustain engagement, relying heavily on conventional horror tropes that lack impact.
Resemblance to Conjuring: The film draws noticeable parallels to Hollywood’s Conjuring, impacting the originality and overall viewing experience.
Pacing Issues: Dragged climax and poorly developed character arcs, notably Srinivas Avasarala’s role, contribute to pacing problems.
Technical Aspects:
Music and Cinematography: Krishna Saurabh Surampalli’s score and Sathish Manoharan’s cinematography contribute positively, but are hindered by writing and execution issues.
Direction: Saikiran’s direction shows promise but falls short in delivering thrilling horror elements due to screenplay shortcomings.
Verdict:
Pindam, despite its technical finesse and commendable performances, falls short in delivering a truly gripping horror experience. While certain scenes and the underlying backstory hold promise, the film struggles due to a lack of impactful scares, an overreliance on clichés, and pacing problems, resulting in an unsatisfactory outcome.