Rating: ⭐ 1.5/5
Punchline: Aghathiyaa – A Fantasy That Falls Flat
Reviewed by: RamBabu Parvathaneni
Behind the Scenes
Director Pa. Vijay brings together Jiiva and Arjun Sarja in Aghathiyaa, a film that attempts to blend mystery, supernatural elements, and emotional drama. With its release on 28th February 2025, expectations were high, but does the film deliver? Let’s find out.
Story Review
Aghathiyaa follows a struggling director (Jiiva) who faces a professional and personal crisis when his film’s production is canceled, leaving him unable to afford treatment for his ailing mother (Rohini), who is battling cancer.
Desperate for a solution, he makes a drastic decision, triggering a series of eerie and unexpected events. The film’s narrative unravels as his girlfriend, Veena (Raashii Khanna), and a mysterious doctor, Siddhartha (Arjun Sarja), become entangled in the unfolding chaos.
Despite the intriguing premise, the execution lacks depth, with the story quickly losing direction. What starts as an engaging thriller turns into a predictable and uninspiring ride.
Performances
- Jiiva delivers a sincere performance as a director caught in a whirlwind of supernatural occurrences. His emotional scenes are commendable, but the weak script limits his potential.
- Arjun Sarja gets a meatier role and handles it well, but even his presence can’t save the film.
- Raashii Khanna has minimal screen time and little to contribute beyond the surface-level romance.
- Rohini, as Jiiva’s mother, delivers a heartfelt performance but isn’t given enough scope to shine.
- Yogi Babu, VTV Ganesh, and Redin Kingsley provide comic relief, but their roles feel forced rather than organic.
Technical Aspects
- Direction & Screenplay: Pa. Vijay starts strong but loses grip on the plot quickly. The film becomes a predictable slog with a screenplay that lacks twists, making it difficult to stay invested.
- Music & BGM: Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music fails to leave an impact, and the background score doesn’t elevate the tension or emotions as intended.
- Cinematography: Deepak Kumar Padhy’s visuals are decent, but nothing exceptional.
- Editing: San Lokesh’s editing leaves much to be desired—several repetitive scenes could have been trimmed to improve pacing.
- Telugu Dubbing: The careless approach to the Telugu version, including missing title translations, reflects a lack of respect for the audience, making it feel like an afterthought.
Pros & Cons
✅ Positives:
✔ Jiiva & Arjun Sarja’s performances
✔ A couple of well-executed scenes
❌ Negatives:
❌ Weak story, screenplay, and direction
❌ Poor editing & uninspiring execution
❌ Predictability kills the thrill
Final Verdict
Despite having a solid cast, Aghathiyaa fails to deliver a gripping experience. The film struggles with a weak plot, uninspired direction, and lackluster execution, making it an unmemorable affair.
Bottom Line: Aghathiyaa is a fantasy thriller that neither thrills nor entertains. Watch only if you’re a die-hard fan of Jiiva or Arjun Sarja. Otherwise, skip it.
