The movie “Sabdham,” featuring Aadhi Pinisetty, is a horror drama that was released on February 28, 2025. It is available in various languages, including Telugu. The film has received a rating of 2.75 out of 5 from 123telugu.com, and it also stars Lakshmi Menon, Simran, Laila, Redin Kingsley, MS Baskar, Rajiv Menon, and Vivek Prasanna. Directed by Arivazhagan Venkatachalam and produced by 7G Siva, the movie’s music is composed by Thaman S, and the cinematography is handled by Arun Bathmanaban.
The story is set at Holy Angel College, where several mysterious deaths of students lead to rumors that the college is haunted. To investigate these bizarre occurrences, the college management hires Vyoma Vaidyalangam, played by Aadhi Pinisetty, who is a ghost investigator. While he delves into the mystery, he meets Avantika, a student played by Lakshmi Menon, who is working on a thesis to argue against the existence of ghosts. However, Vyoma soon discovers something odd about her. The situation becomes even more intense when another girl named Deepika dies under questionable circumstances. The film poses several intriguing questions: Who is causing these deaths? Are there really ghosts in the college? What hidden truths from the past are connected to these events, and what role do Diana (Simran) and Nancy Daniel (Laila) have in this unfolding mystery?
One of the positive aspects of “Sabdham” is how it combines horror, suspense, and emotional storytelling. The director’s talent is evident in how well he presents the emotional moments in the film, especially in Vyoma’s quest to save lives and the spirits seeking justice. Aadhi Pinisetty shines as Vyoma; he convincingly plays his role, delivering both chilling and heartfelt performances. Simran and Laila also give notable performances as supporting characters, while Lakshmi Menon suits her role effectively. Other supporting actors like Abhinaya, Redin Kingsley, and Rajeev Menon add depth to the overall narrative, enriching the film.
Despite these strengths, “Sabdham” does have some weaknesses. It follows a common pattern seen in many horror films where the first half builds tension, but the second half loses its grip on the audience. The story includes flashbacks to explain the spirits’ background, which can feel predictable and cliché. Some fictional elements could bring a sense of surprise or immersiveness, yet the film falters in the second half, failing to maintain excitement or mystery. Certain scenes may seem repetitive, leading to a loss of engagement. Although it starts strong, the film struggles with inconsistencies and lacks elements that would keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
Regarding technical aspects, the emotional core of “Sabdham” is robust; however, the screenplay could be better structured. The music by Thaman sets an eerie mood, while the cinematography, executed by Arun, captures natural settings well. Editor Sabu Joseph’s transitions help maintain the flow of the movie, and the production values from 7G Shiva and Bhanu Priya Shiva are commendable.
In summary, “Sabdham” presents itself as an emotional horror-revenge drama that may attract a specific audience. Although Aadhi Pinisetty delivers a strong performance, the film’s pace and lack of engaging twists hurt its overall impact. While some horror fans might find enjoyable moments, the film ultimately falls short of being consistently thrilling.