After scoring a blockbuster with Committee Kurrollu in 2024 as a producer, Niharika Konidela teamed up with Sangeeth Sobhan and debut director Manasa Sharma for the fantasy comedy thriller Raakaasa. The film generated decent buzz during promotions, promising a fun theatrical experience. Released today, it raises several questions — does Sangeeth deliver another hit after Mad and Mad Square? Does Niharika continue her success streak as a producer? And does Manasa Sharma impress with her debut?

Story:

The film follows Eera Babu aka Veeru (Sangeeth Sobhan), who returns from the US to marry his childhood girlfriend, only to find out she’s set to marry someone else. After failed attempts to stop the wedding, a heartbroken Veeru gets drunk and ends up spending the night near a mysterious, abandoned fort. What secrets does the fort hold? Is there someone—or something—living inside? The rest of the story revolves around Veeru unraveling this mystery.

Performances:

Sangeeth Sobhan once again shines with his natural comic timing and energetic performance, especially in the early portions of the second half. However, he may need to explore diverse genres to avoid being typecast.
Nayan Sarika delivers an average performance, while Raadhya makes a brief appearance.

Comedians Getup Srinu and Vennela Kishore manage to evoke a few laughs despite over-the-top writing. Brahmaji is underutilized, while veterans Tanikella Bharani, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Annapurnamma make their presence felt.

Technical Aspects:

Music by Anudeep Dev is disappointing, with forgettable songs and an overly loud background score. Editing by Anwar Ali keeps the runtime crisp. The production design stands out, especially the fort set, which looks convincing despite budget limitations. Cinematography by Raju Edurolu is commendable, particularly in the second half.

Positives:

• A few effective comedy moments
• Sangeeth Sobhan’s performance

Negatives:

• Routine storyline
• Weak and predictable climax
• Loud background score
• Less engaging first half

Analysis:

The film had the potential to be an engaging fantasy comedy but falls short due to its lack of originality. The storyline feels outdated and heavily reminds of earlier films like Anji and even recent ones like Shambala.

While a few comedy scenes in the second half work well, especially during the adventure portions, the film overall suffers from predictable writing. The attempt to humanize the antagonist in the climax feels forced and unnecessary, weakening the impact.

The core concept—challenging blind beliefs—has been explored multiple times in Telugu cinema, and Raakaasa fails to present it in a fresh or engaging way. The first half struggles to entertain, with many jokes falling flat.

Verdict:

Raakaasa offers a handful of laugh-out-loud moments, mainly in the second half, but is weighed down by routine storytelling, weak execution, and lack of novelty. It may work in parts if you’re looking for light comedy, but overall, it leaves a strong sense of déjà vu.

Bottom Line: Routine fare with a few laughs.