Ghatikachalam Movie Review

Kaushik (Nikhil Devadula) is a medical student who wants to become a doctor to please his father (Prabhakar), despite lacking interest in the field. An introvert by nature, he can't even tell his mother he loves cooking. He secretly loves his classmate Samyuktha but is too afraid to confess. Struggling with an unwanted career and suppressed desires, he faces mental stress. One day, he begins hearing a terrifying voice that controls him, stops him from studying, and turns him rebellious.

Doctors diagnose Kaushik with a psychological issue, while spiritual healers say he is possessed. Eventually, the voice reveals itself as Ghatikachalam, a person who died years ago. Who is Ghatikachalam? How is he connected to Kaushik? Is Kaushik really possessed, or is it all due to mental pressure? Does Kaushik recover or not? The answers lie in watching the movie.

This is the debut film of child actor-turned-hero Nikhil Devadula. He portrayed a strong role right from his first film, and his effort is clearly visible. Although he plays a single character, it has multiple shades, which he handled well, proving his potential as an actor. Prabhakar (father) and Durgadevi (mother) did well in their supporting roles. Arvika Gupta appears briefly as a doctor but plays a crucial part. Samyuktha Reddy, as the heroine, gives an okay performance. Despite limited screen time, Joginaidu impresses with his unique style. The rest of the cast performed adequately within their roles.

Technically, the film is solid. Flavio Kukurulo's background music is a highlight, especially enhancing the horror scenes. S.S. Manoj’s cinematography is commendable, and the editing is decent. The production values are good and support the storytelling effectively.