Introduction to Shanmukha
Shanmukha is a 2025 Indian Telugu-language crime. thriller film co-written and directed by Shanmugam Sappani. The film features Aadi Saikumar and Avika Gor in lead roles. with a supporting cast that includes Chirag Jani, Aditya Om, and others. Produced by Sapbro Productions, the film was released on March 21, 2025. With a runtime of 121 minutes, Shanmukha delves into a gripping narrative. that intertwines crime, mystery, and the supernatural.
Plot Synopsis
Setting
The story unfolds in a remote village where a child with six faces is born. setting the stage for a series of mysterious events.
Main Characters
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Viganda (Chirag Jani): A devout worshipper who, in a desperate attempt to heal his son, turns to black magic.
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Shanmukha: The son born with six faces, whose existence becomes central. to the unfolding mystery.
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Sara Maheswaran (Avika Gor): An investigative journalist uncovering. a pattern of missing women and mysterious deaths.
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SI Karthik Vallabhan (Aadi Saikumar): A police officer assisting in the investigation. whose journey intertwines with Sara’s.
Conflict
The investigation into the disappearances leads to shocking connections involving Viganda and his son. unraveling a complex web of secrets and supernatural elements.
Cast and Crew
Lead Cast
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Aadi Saikumar as SI Karthik Vallabhan A seasoned actor known for his roles in crime dramas. Aadi Saikumar portrays a determined police officer investigating a series of mysterious events.
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Avika Gor as Sara Maheswaran Avika Gor takes on the role of an investigative journalist uncovering. a pattern of missing women and mysterious deaths.
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Chirag Jani as Viganda Chirag Jani plays a devout worshipper. who turns to black magic in a desperate attempt to heal his son.
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Aditya Om Aditya Om’s role adds depth to the narrative. contributing to the unfolding mystery.
Supporting Cast
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Krishnudu Known for his versatile acting. Krishnudu’s performance adds richness to the film’s ensemble.
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Ariyana Glory Ariyana Glory’s role complements the main storyline, enhancing the film’s dynamics.
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Chitram Sreenu Chitram Sreenu’s presence in the supporting cast contributes. to the film’s engaging narrative.
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CVL Narasimha Rao CVL Narasimha Rao’s performance adds. a layer of complexity to the film’s characters.
Crew
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Director: Shanmugam Sappani Debutant director Shanmugam Sappani helms the film. aiming to blend crime, mystery, and the supernatural.
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Story: Satish Aketi The story, penned by Satish Aketi. sets the stage for a gripping narrative involving supernatural elements.
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Cinematography: RR Vishnu Cinematographer RR Vishnu captures. the film’s eerie atmosphere, enhancing its visual appeal.
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Music: Ravi Basrur Ravi Basrur’s music adds intensity to the film. though some critics found it inconsistent.
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Editing: MA Malik Editor MA Malik’s work ensures the film’s pacing. though some felt it could have been tighter.
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Producers: Shanmugam Sappani, Tulasi Ram Sappani. Ramesh Yadav The film is produced under the banner of Sapbro Productions.
Critical Reception
Positive Aspects
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Aadi Saikumar’s Performance: Critics praised Aadi Saikumar’s portrayal of a determined police officer. noting his strong screen presence and emotional depth.
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Avika Gor’s Role: Avika Gor’s portrayal of an investigative journalist was appreciated. for adding a layer of intrigue to the narrative.
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Premise and Storyline: The film’s unique blend of crime. mystery, and supernatural elements garnered interest for its originality.
Negative Aspects
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Screenplay Issues: The screenplay was criticized for being confusing and disjointed. making it difficult for audiences to follow the narrative.
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Weak Dialogues: Some reviewers felt the dialogues were underdeveloped. lacking the impact needed to elevate the film’s emotional scenes.
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Inconsistent Background Score: Ravi Basrur’s background score received mixed reviews. with some finding it inconsistent and not always matching the film’s tone.
Rating
The film received mixed reviews, with some critics praising. the story and climax scenes, while others criticized the screenplay and direction. Notably, 123telugu.com rated the film 2.25/5, citing weak character. development and inconsistent storytelling as major drawbacks.
Soundtrack and Technical Aspects
Shanmukha, a 2025 Telugu-language crime thriller directed by Shanmugam Sappani. presents a blend of supernatural elements and investigative drama. While the film’s narrative and performances have garnered attention, its technical aspects. including the soundtrack, cinematography, and editing, have been met with mixed reviews.
Music Composer: Ravi Basrur
Ravi Basrur, renowned for his work on films like KGF and Salaar, composed the music for Shanmukha. The film features four songs, with the climax track being highlighted as a notable piece. But, despite high expectations, the background score received criticism for being inconsistent. Some portions were deemed too loud. while others failed to match the film’s tone, leading to a disjointed auditory experience.
Cinematography: RR Vishnu
Cinematographer RR Vishnu’s work in Shanmukha has been described as serviceable. While the film features grand sets and striking CGI. the cinematography did not stand out as exceptional. The visuals were adequate but lacked the flair needed to elevate. the film’s supernatural and thriller elements. This has been attributed to the film’s weak storytelling and lack of emotional depth in key scenes.
Editing: MA Malik
MA Malik’s editing in Shanmukha has been noted as standard, with no standout elements. The pacing of the film was criticized for being uneven. which may have contributed to the disjointed feel of the narrative. The editing did not provide the sharpness needed. to enhance the film’s suspenseful moments, affecting the engagement of the audience.
Technical Review
Despite the involvement of experienced professionals. the technical aspects of Shanmukha did not meet the expectations set by its premise. The background score’s inconsistency, coupled with standard cinematography and editing. resulted in a technical presentation that was adequate but not exceptional. These elements, combined with weak character development and illogical scenes. contributed to the film’s disappointing reception.
Conclusion
While Shanmukha had the potential to be a compelling supernatural thriller. its technical aspects fell short of expectations. The inconsistent background score, coupled with standard cinematography and editing. hindered the film’s ability to fully immerse the audience in its narrative. These technical shortcomings, alongside other storytelling issues. led to a mixed reception from both critics and audiences.
