Avunu

My review : Avunu

Ravi Babu's "Avunu" is decent horror flick. The USP of the movie is that most of the horror sequences happen in bright light & there is no unnecessary gimmickry in the form of unusual camera movements or terrifying background score. Though there are not many hair-raising horror sequences in the movie the director has managed to keep the viewers engaged for almost 2 hours. It is an achievement in itself considering most of the movie happens in a single house.

The problem with these kind of movies are that if you are a non-believer in Ghosts straight away you loose interest. Whatever happens you would witness it with a sense of detachment ,sometimes with amusement. More humourous thing is a "child psychologist" explaining that the open anterior fontanelle is way through which divinity enters one's body as a result of which people with one can see & converse with ghosts...!!! Heights of ridiculousness & blatant attempt at fostering superstitions & saffron ideology.

Movie strictly follow all the Indian horror movie template. There is a voyeuristic "bad " ghost whose only mission is to make love with the heroine and there is a doting "good" grandpa ghost who gives company to a lonely kid of a busy techie couple. And there is a mandatory pious old lady who tries to exorcist the ghost with "Anjaneya" photo & the holy ash but in the end the ghost overpowers her. A spooky looking kid , lonely house , ghost who can enter each & everyone's body , etc.  

Poorna has done a very good work in this movie. She almost carries the entire movie on her shoulder. She is there right from the first frame to last & her expressions are exact. It is a good opportunity for this talented actress & she has utilized the chance well. Harshvardhan Rane as her husband is passable while Sudha is once again typecast. Chalapathi Rao's oneliners are awesome & takes care of the humor in the first half.

Sekhar Chandra has done music & has refrained from undue gimmickry to bring in cheap horror. Another person who has done the same is Sudhakar Reddy , the cinematographer. With routine camera angles only they have managed to spook the viewers. The CG department have also done a stupendous job. There is no zombie faces or bloody trails or spooky skeletons but yet the CG team has done their best to scare.

Ravi Babu's creativity is evident right from his promo posters &  the initial titles. But when it comes to "Avunu" , the movie is predictable right from the first scene till the last frame. Nonetheless "Avunu" is a nice watch if you are ready for subtle horror.

Bottomline: One woman show..!

3/5