Genre: Action/Thriller
Language: Hindi
Release Date: 2020
Introduction and Plot Summary
Aswathama is a 2020 Indian Telugu-language action thriller film directed by debutant Ramana Teja, with a story written by Naga Shourya and produced by Usha Mulpuri under the Ira Creations banner. The film features Naga Shourya, Jisshu Sengupta, and Mehreen Pirzada in lead roles, alongside Sargun Kaur Luthra, Harish Uthaman, Prince Cecil, and Jayaprakash in supporting roles. Ghibran scored the film with a soundtrack composed by Sricharan Pakala. The story revolves around Gana, who returns to Visakhapatnam for his sister Priya’s marriage. However, he is shocked to discover Priya’s suicide attempt and subsequent revelation that she is pregnant without knowing who is responsible. Gana, determined to find the culprit, embarks on a violent quest to interrogate the men who troubled Priya, only to find they are not involved. As similar cases of mysterious pregnancies and suicides surface, Gana uncovers a disturbing pattern linked to a pathologist, Dr. Manoj Kumar.
Investigation and Climax
Dr. Manoj Kumar, the film’s antagonist, is revealed as the mastermind behind the abductions and molestations of random girls in the city. Gana’s investigation leads him to discover that Manoj uses a banned drug, Hypomacene, to induce hypoglycemia in his victims, making them unconscious and easily abductable. With Neha’s assistance, Gana tracks down Manoj’s operations, culminating in a series of intense chases and confrontations. Manoj’s dark past is unveiled, revealing his psychopathic tendencies rooted in his father’s abusive discipline and subsequent murders. In the climax, Gana confronts Manoj in a brutal fight, ultimately killing him by dropping a chandelier on him, ending his reign of terror.
Music and Reception
The film’s music, composed by Sricharan Pakala and released under the Aditya Music label, adds to the movie’s intense atmosphere. Critical reception was mixed to positive. Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India gave the film 3/5 stars, praising its riveting story and action but noting its predictability. Y. Sunita Chowdhary of The Hindu appreciated the action sequences but found the storyline predictable. 123Telugu echoed similar sentiments, appreciating the film’s emotional thrills and Naga Shourya’s performance but criticized the second half for its predictability and rushed climax. Hemanth Kumar of Firstpost also awarded 3/5 stars, acknowledging the film’s focus but suggesting a more compelling conclusion could have elevated it further.
