Bhairavam, the new Telugu action drama that dropped on May 30, 2025, and man, it’s got some serious highs and lows! Directed by Vijay Kanakamedala and starring Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas, Nara Rohith, and Manchu Manoj, this flick is a remake of the Tamil hit Garudan. It’s all about friendship, betrayal, and a dash of spiritual vibes set in a rural village. I was hyped for this one, especially with three big names making a comeback, but did it live up to the buzz? Here’s my take on what clicked, what didn’t, and if it’s worth your time.
A Rustic Story with Heart and Hustle
Bhairavam is set in Devipuram, a village in Andhra Pradesh, where three childhood buddies—Seenu (Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas), Varadha (Nara Rohith), and Gajapathi (Manchu Manoj)—are thick as thieves. Their families have been tight for generations, and they’re tied to a temple with some seriously valuable land. The vibe starts off warm and nostalgic, with the trio’s bond stealing the show. You get fun flashes of their past, some massy fight scenes, and a bit of romance with Seenu and Vennela (Aditi Shankar). But then a shady minister (Sharath Lohithaswa) rolls in, eyeing the temple’s land, and stirs up trouble by trying to turn the friends against each other. What follows is a mix of drama, action, and some mythic flair that keeps you hooked—well, mostly.
The first half is a bit slow, spending a lot of time on character intros and a few songs that feel kinda out of place. But it picks up big time toward the interval with a solid twist. The second half dives deeper into the betrayal and revenge, with a standout sequence in a mango farm and a devotional bit that’s got that Kantara-like energy. The climax, packed with emotion and action, had me cheering, even if the story felt a bit predictable at times. It’s like the movie knows its roots but doesn’t always dig deep enough to hit you in the gut.
The Cast Brings the Heat
Let’s talk about the leads, because they’re the heart of Bhairavam. Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas is a total firecracker as Seenu. He’s toned down his usual larger-than-life hero vibe for something more grounded, and it works. His action scenes are next-level, and there’s this Jathara sequence where he’s just electric—definitely a crowd-pleaser. Nara Rohith as Varadha is calm and steady, bringing a quiet strength that balances the chaos. His restraint makes you root for him, even when the script doesn’t give him much to chew on.
Manchu Manoj, coming back after a nine-year break, is the big surprise. As Gajapathi, he’s intense and brooding, owning every scene with that deep voice and fiery energy. It’s a bold return, though some moments feel a bit over-the-top. The supporting cast—Aditi Shankar, Anandhi as Gajapathi’s wife Neelima, and Divya Pillai—add some spark, but their roles are pretty limited. Aditi’s stuck in song-and-dance mode, which feels like a missed opportunity. Veterans like Jayasudha and Sampath Raj are solid but underused, and Vennela Kishore’s comedy track? Total flop—didn’t get a single laugh out of me.
Vijay Kanakamedala’s Game Plan
Vijay Kanakamedala, the guy behind Naandhi and Ugram, knows how to handle a rural action flick, and you can tell he’s trying to make Bhairavam his own. He keeps the soul of Garudan but adds Telugu-style masala, like amped-up action and a devotional angle that pops in the second half. The cinematography by Hari K Vedantam is a highlight—those earthy village shots and vibrant festival scenes are a treat. Sricharan Pakala’s background score is decent, boosting the drama, but the songs? Meh, they slow things down. The 2-hour-35-minute runtime drags in spots, and tighter editing by Chota K Prasad could’ve made it snappier.
My biggest gripe is that the emotional depth doesn’t always land. The friendship and betrayal stuff should’ve hit harder, but the writing feels a bit surface-level, like it’s checking boxes instead of diving deep. Some reviews I saw online echoed this, saying the film lacks the heart of Garudan and leans too hard into commercial tropes. Still, the action blocks and that climactic showdown had me pumped, even if it felt a bit like every other mass entertainer.
My Final Verdict
Bhairavam is a solid, if not mind-blowing, action drama. The trio of Bellamkonda, Nara Rohith, and Manchu Manoj bring their A-game, and the second half’s action and emotional beats make up for a shaky start. But the predictable plot, some flat characters, and those out-of-place songs keep it from being a knockout. It’s got enough firepower for fans of rustic, massy films, especially if you love a big-screen spectacle. I’d give it a 3/5—fun for a one-time watch, especially for the action and Manoj’s big comeback. Catch it in theaters for the vibes or wait for it to hit Zee5 later.
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