Rakshasudu

After a string of rather forgettable fares, seems like Bellamkonda Sreenivas has finally found his groove and is certainly in his element in his latest thriller Rakshashudu. A remake of Tamil flick Ratsasan, Rakshashudu is a thriller in the true sense and keeps the audience guessing at all times.

The film revolves around Arun (Bellamkonda Sreenivas), who sets out in pursuit of a mysterious serial killer who targets young girls and murders them. After a series of murders, Arun confirms that it's being done by a psychopath with an anti-social disorder. The killer continues his spree, but Arun is no mood to stop his pursuit.
Gripping to the core, Rakshashudu keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The screenplay is spot on and adds to the intrigue of watching the film and makes sure the suspense is impactful. There are plenty of twists and turns and until the very end, you won't know who the killer, and that's what works about Rakshasudu. Director Ramesh Varma avoids the temptation to over indulge. Instead, he keeps things simple and makes an impact.
With a runtime of nearly two-and-a-half hours, the film could've been trimmed a little bit, but at no stage do you feel bored as a viewer and if anything, it is only a minor aberration.

Bellamkonda does a good job as the officer on the hunt to find the mysterious killer and puts in one of his best performances till date. What was refreshing to see was the fact that the leading lady was not reduced to a role of an eye-candy but is someone who plays a crucial role in the narrative, and Anupama Parameswaran does a sincere job of it. The supporting actors, including Rajiv Kanakala, are first rate.

When Ramesh Varma decided to remake a thriller like Ratsasan, there were lofty expectations, but the director sails through and hits the mark with this film. While thrillers run the risk of getting too predictable, Rakshasudu keeps you guessing at all times and as a viewer, you feel engrossed every minute of the film. While watching a thriller, you can't ask for anything more.