Trailer
Cast:
Raghava Lawrence
Kangana Ranaut
Vadivelu
Mahima Nambiar
Radhika Sarathkumar
Lakshmi Menon
Rao Ramesh
Director: P. Vasu
Producer: Subhaskaran
Music: M.M. Keeravani
Cinematography: R.D. Rajasekhar ISC
Editor: Anthony
The original Chandramukhi remains a classic in the horror genre, and now P. Vasu returns with its much-awaited sequel, Chandramukhi 2, starring Raghava Lawrence and Kangana Ranaut. With the buzz surrounding its release, let’s take a closer look at how the film fares.
Story:
A wealthy family, led by Radhika Sarathkumar, faces numerous personal issues and seeks guidance from Rao Ramesh, who advises them to conduct prayers at their family deity's temple. The temple, however, is near Vettaiya’s palace—an eerie place leased to them by Basavaiah (Vadivelu). Unbeknownst to the family, the palace harbors the malevolent spirit of Chandramukhi. What follows is a series of strange occurrences that put the family in peril. How is Madhan (Raghava Lawrence) connected to the family? And what does Chandramukhi want? The answers unfold as the film progresses.
Plus Points:
Kangana Ranaut’s portrayal of Chandramukhi is one of the film’s strongest assets. She commands attention with her screen presence, delivering a powerful performance that includes some impressive dance sequences. Her interpretation of the character adds a fresh dynamic to the film.
The backstory of Chandramukhi is enhanced, with the makers adding new layers to the narrative, which works well in the second half. Raghava Lawrence also does a commendable job as Vettaiyan, bringing conviction to his role. The action-packed climax featuring both Kangana and Lawrence is a highlight, filled with intensity and well-choreographed sequences. Lakshmi Menon delivers a surprising and well-executed performance in her role.
Minus Points:
The main issue with Chandramukhi 2 is its lack of genuine scares. The tension and eerie atmosphere that one expects from a horror film are largely absent. While jump scares are a staple of the genre, they are sparsely used here, and the film leans more heavily into drama rather than horror.
The first half feels disjointed, with random scenes that disrupt the flow. Comedy, which was a strong suit in the original Chandramukhi, falls flat in this sequel. Vadivelu’s character comes across as cliched, and the outdated humor detracts from the overall experience. The romantic subplot is another weak point, and the decision to replace the iconic ‘Vaarai’ track doesn’t land well, as the new version fails to resonate.
Despite some changes in the backstory, the screenplay follows a similar structure to the original, but without the same sense of suspense or urgency. The pacing in the first half drags, with several scenes that could have been trimmed.
Technical Aspects:
M.M. Keeravani’s background score tries to elevate the film, but the lack of strong writing and thrilling scenes undermines the effort. The cinematography by R.D. Rajasekhar is solid, and the set design is noteworthy, but the visual effects are subpar. Editing by Anthony could have been tighter, particularly in the first half.
Director P. Vasu had the opportunity to build on the legacy of Chandramukhi, but while he succeeds in adding depth to the backstory, the weak screenplay and poorly executed comedic scenes hamper the film’s overall impact. The sidelining of horror elements is a surprising misstep, given the genre.
Verdict:
Overall, Chandramukhi 2 is a mixed bag. The second half is an improvement over the first, with Kangana Ranaut’s performance and the climax standing out. Raghava Lawrence also delivers in his role as Vettaiyan. However, the lack of scares, disjointed first half, and ineffective comedy weigh the film down. While it doesn’t live up to the original’s l
egacy, it remains a decent, albeit forgettable, watch.
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