Bhairavam Telugu Movie Review: A Rustic Tale of Friendship and Betrayal

Plot Summary: A Tale of Bonds and Betrayal

Set in the fictional village of Devipuram in East Godavari Andhra Pradesh, Bhairavam revolves around three inseparable friends. Seenu (Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas) Gajapathi Varma (Manchu Manoj) and Varadha (Nara Rohith). Their bond forged in childhood is rooted in trust and shared experiences. Gajapathi hails from a once-wealthy Zamindar family now grappling with poverty while Varadha is a prosperous and respected figure in the village. Seenu an orphan raised by Gajapathi’s grandmother (Jayasudha) is fiercely loyal to both friends and serves as their confidant.

The village’s Varahi Amma temple managed by Gajapathi’s family owns valuable land worth ₹1000 crore. A corrupt minister (Sharath Lohithaswa) sets his sights on this sacred property employing manipulative tactics to exploit the trio’s friendship. By preying on Gajapathi’s financial struggles the minister sows discord among the friends leading to a rift that tests their loyalty. The narrative unfolds with intense drama action sequences and a climactic showdown steeped in spiritual symbolism as Seenu’s connection to the deity Bhairava takes centre stage.

Performances: The Heart of Bhairavam

Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas as Seenu

Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas delivers a commendable performance stepping away from his usual mass-hero persona to portray a more nuanced character. In the first half Seenu is depicted as a subtle and innocent figure primarily involved in song-and-dance sequences. However post-interval his character undergoes a transformation showcasing aggression and emotional depth. His performance in the Jathara sequence reminiscent of Kantara’s divine intensity is a standout moment though some viewers feel the spiritual element feels forced. Bellamkonda’s energy in action scenes and his ability to convey loyalty make Seenu a relatable protagonist despite the script’s limitations in fleshing out his arc.

Manchu Manoj as Gajapathi Varma

Marking his return to Telugu cinema after a nine-year hiatus Manchu Manoj delivers a fiery and intense performance as Gajapathi. His deep baritone and brooding presence add gravitas to the character who is torn between financial distress and loyalty to his friends. Manoj’s portrayal of a man grappling with personal struggles and external pressures is one of the film’s highlights. However some reviews note that his dialogue delivery and voice modulation can feel overdone occasionally bordering on melodramatic. Despite this his comeback has been widely praised for its emotional weight and screen presence.

Nara Rohith as Varadha

Nara Rohith brings a calm and controlled intensity to Varadha portraying a wealthy yet principled man with understated strength. His performance is a perfect foil to Manoj’s fiery Gajapathi and Bellamkonda’s evolving Seenu. Rohith’s restraint adds depth to the trio’s dynamic making Varadha the emotional anchor of the group. Critics have lauded his ability to convey quiet dignity, though some feel his character could have been explored further to enhance the emotional stakes.

Direction and Screenplay: Vijay Kanakamedala’s Vision

Director Vijay Kanakamedala known for films like Naandhi and Ugram attempts to recreate the magic of Garudan while tailoring it for Telugu audiences. His decision to incorporate mass elements and a devotional layer particularly in the Jathara sequence adds commercial appeal but dilutes the emotional depth of the original. The screenplay starts sluggishly with a first half weighed down by predictable beats unnecessary songs and a lack of emotional connection. The second half picks up pace particularly with the Mamidi Thota sequence which introduces a significant twist and heightens the drama. However the narrative struggles to balance action emotion and mysticism resulting in a patchy payoff.

Kanakamedala’s attempt to infuse socio-political relevance with references to temple wealth and dharma feels superficial and fails to add depth to the story. The film’s reliance on familiar tropes friendship tested by greed a corrupt politician and a spiritual climax makes it feel dated at times. A tighter screenplay and deeper character development could have elevated Bhairavam beyond a typical action drama.

Technical Aspects: A Mixed Bag

Cinematography

Hari K Vedantam’s cinematography is one of the film’s strongest aspects capturing the rustic charm of Devipuram with earthy tones and authentic village textures. The temple sequences and action scenes are visually striking with the Mamidi Thota episode standing out for its tense framing. However some scenes feel overly polished detracting from the raw rural aesthetic.

Music and Background Score

Sricharan Pakala’s background score is a highlight adding dramatic tension without overpowering the narrative. The song “O Vennela” has gained popularity for its melodious appeal but other tracks fail to leave a lasting impression. The inclusion of multiple dance numbers especially in the first half disrupts the pacing and feels unnecessary.

Editing

Chota K Prasad’s editing is adequate but doesn’t salvage the film’s pacing issues. The first half feels stretched with filler scenes that could have been trimmed to maintain momentum. The second half is more cohesive but the climax’s divine element feels abrupt and poorly integrated.

Production Design

The production design effectively recreates the rural setting with detailed depictions of traditional houses paddy fields and the Varahi Amma temple. The grand visual touch adds authenticity though some scenes lean too heavily into commercial spectacle.

Themes and Symbolism: A Spiritual Undertone

Bhairavam draws its title from the guardian deity Bhairava associated with Goddess Varahi and weaves spiritual symbolism into its narrative. Seenu’s connection to Bhairava particularly in the climactic Jathara sequence aims to evoke the divine intensity seen in films like Kantara. However this element feels forced and lacks the organic build-up needed to resonate with audiences. The film’s exploration of friendship, loyalty and betrayal is its emotional core but the lack of nuanced character development prevents these themes from fully connecting with viewers.

The socio-political commentary on temple wealth and corruption is introduced but not explored in depth making it feel like a token addition. The film’s attempt to blend rustic drama with mythic storytelling is ambitious but only partially successful.

Box Office and Audience Reception

Bhairavam opened to a decent response at the box office earning approximately ₹2.75 crore on its first day and ₹7.5 crore over the opening weekend (May 30–June 1, 2025). Theatre occupancy averaged around 26.70% on the opening day with steady interest across morning afternoon evening and night shows. The film’s performances particularly Manchu Manoj’s comeback have been praised though the predictable plot and uneven pacing have drawn criticism. Social media reactions are mixed with some appreciating the lead actors’ chemistry and action sequences while others find the film outdated and emotionally flat.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Performances: The trio of Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas, Manchu Manoj and Nara Rohith delivers solid performances with Manoj’s comeback being a highlight.

• Action Sequences: The well-executed action set-pieces particularly in the second half cater to mass audiences.

• Cinematography: Hari K Vedantam’s visuals capture the rural setting authentically.

• Background Score: Sricharan Pakala’s score enhances the dramatic tension.

Weaknesses

• Predictable Plot: The story treads familiar ground lacking novelty or emotional depth.

• Uneven Pacing: The sluggish first half and unnecessary songs disrupt the narrative flow.

• Underdeveloped Characters: Supporting characters like Aditi Shankar and Vennela Kishore are underutilised and the emotional bond among the leads isn’t effectively conveyed.

• Forced Spiritual Elements: The climactic divine sequence feels abrupt and disconnected from the narrative.

Is Bhairavam Worth Watching?

Bhairavam is a typical Telugu commercial entertainer that delivers just enough to satisfy fans of rustic action dramas. The performances of Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas, Manchu Manoj and Nara Rohith are the film’s biggest assets supported by strong cinematography and a decent background score. However, the predictable plot sluggish pacing and lack of emotional depth prevent it from standing out in a crowded genre. It’s a decent one-time watch for those who enjoy traditional Telugu cinema but it falls short of being a memorable cinematic experience.