Raakaasa Review: A Gory Feast or a Bloody Mess?

Veeru (Sangeeth Shobhan) is your classic NRI who returns to his village after a decade, hoping to find love. Spoiler alert: he does, but it's not exactly a walk in the park. His pursuit of romance accidentally stirs up an ancient, malevolent force that the villagers have feared for generations. What starts as a slightly awkward love story quickly spirals into a life-and-death battle where romance turns deadly. The plot feels like someone threw Stree, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and a Telugu family drama into a blender and hit pulse. It's messy, but not entirely unpalatable.

Let's be real-Raakaasa doesn't know what it wants to be, and that's both its charm and its biggest flaw. Director Manasa Sharma clearly has a playful vision, but the execution wobbles like a Jenga tower at a toddler's birthday party. The horror elements are more giggle-inducing than spine-chilling, which might be intentional given the "Fantasy, Comedy" genre tags, but the tonal shifts are jarring. One minute you're watching Veeru goof around with Subbu (Nayan Sarika), the next you're supposed to feel genuinely scared of a shadow monster. It doesn't always stick the landing.

Sangeeth Shobhan delivers a charming performance as Veeru, balancing wide-eyed innocence with just enough comedic timing to keep you invested. Nayan Sarika's Subbu is more than just a love interest-she's got spunk, even if the script sometimes forgets to give her agency. The supporting cast, including Vennela Kishore and Brahmaji, adds much-needed comic relief, but their characters feel like they wandered in from a different, funnier movie.

Visually, the film has its moments. The village setting is lush and colorful, but the VFX for the "ancient darkness" feels a bit dated, like a PlayStation 3 cutscene. The music is decent, though the songs pop up at random intervals, killing the momentum. At 130 minutes, the pacing drags in the second half, with a climax that tries to wrap up too many threads in a hurry.

Still, there's an endearing earnestness to Raakaasa. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and the romantic chemistry between Veeru and Subbu is genuinely sweet. If you're willing to forgive the rough edges, you might find yourself grinning more than you'd expect.

Pros

• Sangeeth Shobhan and Nayan Sarika have solid chemistry
• Vennela Kishore's comedy bits land more often than not
• The premise is refreshingly weird and ambitious
• Light-hearted, breezy tone works for a casual watch
• Village setting is visually appealing

Cons

• Tonal whiplash between horror and comedy
• VFX are below par for a 2026 release
• Pacing drags in the second half
• Underutilized supporting cast (Tanikella Bharani and Ashish Vidyarthi deserve better)
• Climax feels rushed and overly convenient

Raakaasa is a lovable misfire. It's not going to redefine Telugu cinema or haunt your nightmares, but it might just make you chuckle and cringe in equal measure. If you're a fan of quirky, low-stakes fantasy-comedies, give it a shot on a lazy weekend. For everyone else, it's a skip unless you're a die-hard fan of the cast. Three stars, a shrug, and a hopeful "better luck next time" for director Manasa Sharma.